I was visiting a parish this morning and after Mass I had a difficult conversation with the priest. I reminded him that people are struggling to trust the Church right now; he agreed. I reminded him that those who can be trusted with very little can be trusted with much.
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Personalizing the rubrics of the Mass- changing words in an effort to be pastoral- is a relatively little thing, I said. But I pointed out that changing the words of the Mass is the kind of small thing that makes it hard to trust on big matters.
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I told him that a priest with the humility to celebrate the Mass as written demonstrates the humility to try-at least- to be faithful to the Church’s moral teaching.
Kind of the “broken windows theory” of ecclesiastical discipline.
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Kind of the “broken windows theory” of ecclesiastical discipline.
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It was not a polemical or confrontational conversation. It was honest, fraternal, and nearly intimate on both our parts. We parted as friends. I was grateful he listened.
I write this to encourage and thank priests, and to give them at least one man’s perspective on liturgy rn.
I write this to encourage and thank priests, and to give them at least one man’s perspective on liturgy rn.
Thank you, Fathers. We need your fidelity, even in small things, right now. Be assured of our prayers and friendship.
*some have told me that the phrase “broken windows theory” evokes racially motivated police brutality + misconduct. I didn’t know the phrase would evoke those things, which have no connection to what I’m saying. If I triggered or offended you, rest assured it was not my intent.
