Vatican, Apr. 23 (CWNews.com) - The Vatican Congregation for Divine Worship has released the long-awaited new document, Redemptionis Sacramentum, calling for careful compliance with the Church's norms for the celebration of the Eucharist.
The new document was prepared by the Congregation for Divine Worship in conjunction with the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. It received final approval from Pope John Paul II (bio - news) on March 19, and was signed by Cardinal Francis Arinze (bio - news), the prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship, on March 25, the feast of the Annunciation.
The full text of Redemptionis Sacramentum is available on the Vatican web site.
Last March, when he released his encyclical Ecclesia de Eucharistia, Pope John Paul II said that a new document, devoted to juridical norms for the Eucharist, would soon follow. Redemptionis Sacramentum was evidently delayed by serious disagreements within the Roman Curia about the content of the text.
Although the new document does not contain any new teaching, it does contain a vigorous denunciation of many widespread liturgical abuses. The document forcefully condemns the practices of priests who change the established forms of the liturgy, or extemporaneously compose their own Eucharistic prayers. There is also a clear and detailed argument against the routine use of extraordinary ministers to distribute Communion.
The purpose of the new document, the Congregation for Divine Worship explains, is "to assure a deeper appreciation of the liturgical norms." The introductory section of Redemptionis Sacramentum states that "it is not possible to be silent about the abuses, even quite grave ones," in the liturgy. "In some places," the document notes, "the perpetration of liturgical abuses has become almost habitual, a fact which obviously cannot be allowed and must cease."
Liturgical abuses are sometimes prompted by a false understanding of freedom, or by ignorance of the faith, the document states. Redemptionis Sacramentum also notes that "well-intentioned" ecumenical efforts also sometimes result in abuses.
Any abuse "is a real falsification of the Catholic liturgy," the Congregation writes, citing the teaching of St. Thomas Aquinas. Redemptionis Sacramentum repeatedly emphasizes the right of the Catholic faithful to proper liturgical conduct, and urges bishops to be diligent in curbing liturgical abuses.
Among the abuses specifically cited in the document are:
The habit of some priests to "take upon themselves the right to compose their own Eucharist Prayers"-- a practice that it "not to be tolerated."
The use of musical instruments or singing during the Eucharistic Prayer.
The breaking of the host at the time of Consecration-- which the document said should be "reprobated and is to be corrected with haste."
Preaching at Mass by anyone other than an ordained priest or deacon.
The scheduling of First Communion for children who have not yet made their first confession.
Excessive commotion associated with the Sign of Peace. The document suggests that the faithful should extend the Sign of Peace only to those immediately around them; the priest is instructed to remain in the sanctuary.
Redemptionis Sacramentum also contains reminders of some rights that are occasionally ignored.
The document points out that "priests are always and everywhere permitted to celebrate Mass in Latin." And there is an explicit statement that the faithful may not be denied Communion solely because they wish to kneel when they receive the Eucharist. The document contains a strong endorsement of private devotion to the Eucharist, and says that bishops should "diligently foster Eucharistic adoration." And while acknowledging that bishops may allow female altar servers, Redemptionis Sacramentum indicates that it is "altogether laudable to maintain the noble custom" of altar boys.
For American Catholics, the most noteworthy part of Redemptionis Sacramentum might be the entire section devoted to the role of extraordinary ministers. "Only out of true necessity is there to be recourse to the assistance of extraordinary ministers in the celebration of the Liturgy," the document reads. It goes on to make it clear that "true necessity" should be defined strictly:
Indeed, the extraordinary minister of Holy Communion may administer Communion only when the Priest and Deacon are lacking, when the Priest is prevented by weakness or advanced age or some other genuine reason, or when the number of faithful coming to Communion is so great that the very celebration of Mass would be unduly prolonged. This, however, is to be understood in such a way that a brief prolongation, considering the circumstances and culture of the place, is not at all a sufficient reason.
Redemptionis Sacramentum sternly denounces priests "who, even though present at the celebration, abstain from distributing Communion and hand this function over to laypersons." And it specifies that any such ministers should be identified as an "extraordinary minister of Holy Communion, and not “special minister of Holy Communion,” nor “extraordinary minister of the Eucharist” nor “special minister of the Eucharist"-- because the use of improper terminology could obscure the crucial distinction between lay people and ordained ministers.
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