“The Holy Mass is not a stage performance” Archbishop Moras tells Priests, Religious
Bengaluru, Dec 11: At least 300 Religious Priests and Nuns from all across Bengaluru attended a conference to discuss and clarify the a document by the CCBI (Conference of Catholic Bishops in India) on ‘Liturgical directives’ , December 10th at Palanna Bhavan in Bangalore Archdiocese. Archbishop Dr. Bernard Moras emphasized that “The Holy Mass is not a stage performance and that priests are not poojarisperforming external duties but acting in the person of Christ”.
He drew reference to priests who are sometimes asked to ‘finish’ the Mass in ’15 minutes’ saying, “the richness and sacredness of the liturgy has to be appreciated and not hurried through”. The Prelate who is known for his ardent love for the Holy Eucharist urged participants, especially priests, to read the General Instructions on the Roman Missal (GIRM) and “abide by the liturgical norms of the GIRM”. The Archbishop also informed the gathering that “8 years ago, a circular was already issued to this effect” in order to avoid liturgical aberration.
Archbishop Moras mentioned that “95 percent of priests in the Archdiocese strictly follow liturgical norms, but 5 percent of the priest must take extra care in following the norms”.
Resource persons Fr. Antony, Head of the Department (HOD)of Liturgy in St. Peters Pontifical Seminary Fr. Money (Kristu Jyothi College) HOD in liturgy and Claretian Priest Fr. Xavier Manavath Episcopal vicar for Religious in the Archdiocese dwelt on various liturgical aberrations that tend to dilute the sacredness of the liturgy. Much discussion ensued on the Papal document ‘Sacrosanctum Concilium’ with the Archbishop exhorting the gathering to ‘restore the sacredness of the liturgy, specially the Holy Mass which is the height and summit of worship’.
The gathering was reminded that ‘the liturgy is not a private affair but an act of public worship calling for utmost care in discharging religious duties before the people of God’. The distinction between clerical dress and liturgical dress was made clear during the discussions and priests were urged not to strap on stoles or vestments over civil clothing while performing religious duties. Priests and religious at the gathering were urged to take ‘much care in protecting the sanctity of religious vessels’.
The general consensus of the assembly of priests and religious after a long exchange of questions and clarification was that the CCBI did a appreciable job of making observations and clarifications on the right and wrong liturgical practices prevalent in the Church.
Vicar General Monsignor S Jayanathan appreciated presence and participation of priests and religious while Salesian Priest Fr. Edward thanked the Archbishop for his proactive leadership and ‘smiling’ presence.