If you have not already read the article beginning on the front page of today’s Democrat and Chronicle, you might want to do so. It is entitled “Catholic Diocese Upends Custom on Homilies,” by David Andreatta. Here is the link to the full article: http://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/news/2014/07/19/catholic-diocese-upends-custom-homilies/12863357/ Many readers of Cleansing Fire will be delighted to know that Bishop Matano has been making changes to enforce Canon Law by eliminating lay preaching, and today’s D&C article quotes our Bishop’s committment to continue to follow Canon Law. Praise God!
Bishop Salvatore Matano
Shown below are some excerpts and additional comments on the content of the D&C article. But let’s begin by acknowledging that David Andreatta has written a very fair and balanced article. Bishop Matano was willing to speak to the author personally, with a directness that exceeds that of many other bishops. It is so impressive that he actually acts like a Shepherd, and is consistently oriented to the real needs of the local Church, not to his personal defense.
The author notes that the practice of allowing laity to preach was “derided by the faithful for running afoul of church law.” Cleansing Fire folks can be relieved that a position long held by those who post on CF, is now seeing correction. It actually has been in the process of coming to an end; at least since March. Bishop Matano has been handling those relationships one-by-one. Only the most entrenched and stubborn would continue in disobedience to Canon Law and the teaching of a faithful bishop, but don’t be surprised if errant actions happen during the death throes of the unlawful practice of laity preaching during Mass. Andreatta states that the practice “has come to an end”. It certainly appears that it should be ended, given Bishop Matano’s strong words, but it would be unfair not to point out that Holy Spirit Church in Penfield has been mentioned as having had a lay woman homilist today, according to some of my friends who attended.
In an extensive interview, Bishop Salvatore Matano is reported to have said he is “now drafting guidelines to clarify that homilies are reserved for ordained priests and deacons, as prescribed by canon law.” [Canons 767 and 766 are the relevant Canons.]
“It is not a policy shift as regards the universal law of the church,” Matano said. “I am trying to help the faithful understand what is the universal law of the church and how important it is that in the celebration of Mass, we do what the church asks of us.”…. “Matano said he began addressing the matter in response to complaints from parishioners.” Wonderful. I hope CF commenters were part of the outcry.
Here are four comments in the article, which deserve some expansion (shown in blue).
1. Not surprisingly, Andreatta reports that the enforcement “has been received with disappointment, particularly among women, who made up the majority of lay homilists and viewed the practice as a way to play a more active role in their faith. … “It really enriched me, and I have to say I’m struggling with it,” said Diane Porcelli of Gates, who did not preach but is active at St. Mary’s Church in downtown Rochester. “It’s challenging my faith and I’m struggling with the exclusion.” She should have been struggling with the “inclusion.” Once again, it is all about non-existent personal rights instead of serving souls. “It really enriched me….” she said. So what? “Challenging my faith” … only if obedience isn’t at the heart of that faith. The arguments are a tired echo of the wannabe priestesses, who can’t take “no” for an answer, honoring the authority of neither Pope nor bishop. What is particularly damaging to those souls is when they are indulged in their “wannabe-ness.” The slightest indulgence (let alone major permissiveness) creates an aura of having rights that don’t exist, that have never existed. Then, when the activity is righteously ended, there is complaint and argument. And these kinds of remarks betray the motives of the wanna-be’s, as well as the need to stop the practice. (The lay preaching is a female ghetto…where are similar complaints from the men lay preachers? are there any?)
2. Andreatta writes: “The change comes as Pope Francis is calling for both broader opportunities ‘for a more incisive female presence in the church’ and for priests to spice up their homilies.” (I was amused by this quote. Isn’t Cleansing Fire just such an incisive presence? And what does gender have to do with it anyway?) The author continues: “Last year, Francis lamented that clergy and laypeople suffer through homilies: “The laity from having to listen to them, and the clergy from having to preach them!” The homily has been long limited to about 8 minutes in this diocese, so how boring could it possibly get? Isn’t the reality that many people in the pews simply don’t want to hear anything that challenges them? For example, many don’t want to hear moral preaching against abortion, contraception, same-sex “marriage.” And most lay preachers wouldn’t dare speak out on those issues even if they believed the Church’s teaching. Consider why not. Perhaps because they don’t have the charism of personal courage. How could a “spiced up” homily not touch on such issues?
3. Andreatta reports: “Supporters of lay homilies described them as often being more attuned to modern families than those delivered by priests, who take a vow of celibacy and are prohibited from marrying. “It was a way to have a woman’s voice and a woman’s experience reflect on the readings for the day,” said Gloria Ulterino….” Refer back to #2 above. Same point. Personally, I have no interest at all in hearing Gospel diluted through the women’s agenda. But the comment that minimizes the ability of priests because they are celibate is grossly misleading, a classic “straw man.” When are we going to hear the very valid counter-argument that lay preaching, which is not informed by hearing hours of confessions about the REAL problems of soul (but rather lay preoccupation about everyday complaints) has NO PLACE in the pulpit. It indulges the self-absorption of the laity. It is fascinating that the Holy Spirit chose to include in the New Testament St. Paul’s words about why it is better for a person not to marry (especially a person centered on serving God), how marriage dilutes the time and attention that can be given to God. I’d love to hear Gloria et al give a supportive homily on THAT SUBJECT! (See 1 Corinthians 7, especially 32-34). Actually, if there is anything about which priests might be criticized a little bit, it would be any residual wish or concern that what they do or don’t do will satisfy the women who lobby for their permissions. Many husbands have long ago realized that they just don’t know the answer to the age-old question: “What do women really want?” It isn’t clear that most women know the answer to that question either, so priests should stop worrying about it, as if giving up token assignments or positions were actually going to please, satisfy, or fix the issues. Indulgence only creates an appetite for more indulgence, as parents of many toddlers know.
4. Lay preaching has been characterized as CUSTOM by some opponents to the relevant Canon Law. If something had been in use for 100 years, perhaps an argument might be made, but 40 years is NOT custom. Moreover, even a 100 year old custom cannot acquire any legitimacy when it is specifically against the (Canon) Law. The author writes: “Like other lay homilists, Nancy DeRycke… [says] ‘It’s a 40-year-old custom that’s been part of the tradition of our local church, and people are saddened, people are frustrated and people are asking, ‘Why can’t you do this?’ ” DeRycke said. ‘They’re not satisfied with saying, ‘Because it’s the law.” “ (But I’ve always run that stop sign officer; it’s my custom. How can you interfere with my custom?”) The very quote of not being satisfied that “It’s the Law” is incredibly bad judgment to even articulate. And these are people who would presume to preach to us? Unfortunately, yes. Have they heard that the 10 Commandments are Law too? One wonders.
Click for more information to read Canon 767. It is not rocket science; it is very clear.
Canon 767§1 : Among the forms of preaching, the homily, which is part of the liturgy itself and is reserved to a priest or deacon, is preeminent; in the homily the mysteries of faith and the norms of Christian life are to be explained from the sacred text during the course of the liturgical year.
Canon 767§2 A homily must be given at all Masses on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation which are celebrated with a congregation, and it cannot be omitted except for grave cause.
Canon 767§3 It is strongly recommended that if there is a sufficient congregation, a homily is to be given even at Masses celebrated during the week, especially during the time of Advent and Lent or on the occasion of some feast day or sorrowful event.
Canon 767§4 It is for the pastor or rector of a church to take care that these precepts are observed conscientiously.
Tags: Bishop Matano
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It’s worth noting that (at least) two of the women quoted in the article are members of the Women’s Ordination Conference.
Gloria Ultinero: “The 2008 World Day of Prayer for Women’s Ordination Liturgy was created by members of the Women’s Ordination Conference: Myra Brown, Gloria Ulterino and Nidza Vázquez (WOC program director).”
Nancy DeRycke: “If WOC is thinking about giving up the agenda of renewing the church, where does that leave everybody who has been trying so hard?” wailed Sister Nancy DeRycke, another Rochester SSJ. “For 20 years we’ve been saying ‘It’s our church!’ We can’t just drop it and start something else from scratch! Schism isn’t the only way! Ordination doesn’t have to mean subordination.”
I’m really not surprised to see these and other Rochester progressives making a big stink about this. Just wait for the fun when these people have to sign a profession of faith to continue serving as EMHCs! Fr. Bill Spilly, who has been trying to incite riots over these and other changes, bemoans Bp. Matano’s proposals once again in his bulletin (click here to read it): “Since Bishop Matano became our bishop in January of this year, he has already begun to make changes that are very different from our tradition. “ Excuse me, “Our tradition”??? What about the Church’s traditions that have long been ignored in the Diocese of Rochester?
The winds of change are sweeping through Rochester, and I thank God every day for the blessing which is Bp. Matano. May the good Lord Jesus Christ grant him good health and a long reign!
Thank you, Diane, for an excellent commentary on the content of the article by Mr. Andreatta. Yes, Bishop Matano is doing wonderful work, thanks be to God! Today’s Gospel about the wheat and the weeds should make us all humble and repentant. It certainly scares me! I have done evil, have sinned and I have caused others to sin. But I repent of all my sins, and daily renew my firm purpose of amendment. Your stop sign runner example is perfect. There is NO such tradition. The childish and inane “precept” of a 20 or 30-year “tradition” has been used to promote many goofy things in the church, and especially in Rochester. We belong to the Catholic Church, and we have one code of Canon Law in the Latin Rite which applies to all Latin Rite dioceses wherever they are.
The evil organization that fomented such disobedience is dead: specifically the North American Forum on the Catechumenate. So it is wonderful to see our good Bishop courageously leading our diocese. Already many years ago, under Bishop Clark, when I and others stood up in Mass and left during such invalid “homilies” by laymen, and then spoke to the pastor, wrote to the pastor, the bishop and the Papal Nuncio, lay “preaching” in those parishes stopped, after a fashion and much praying of course.
If such disobedience continues at Sunday Mass (or any announced Mass), and you happen to be present, please do not sit there like a bump on a log, unless of course, you ARE a bump on a log. Please Stand up and take exception to what is happening, and then leave for the duration of the unlawful talk in place of the homily. It is not a sin to do so, indeed it is a good deed. Be wheat, not a weed. Be as courageous as Bishop Matano and Diane! And of course, contact Bishop Matano and let him know. Something makes me think it won’t take as long for the evil practice to stop in your parish nowadays. Thank you, Dear Lord Jesus, and Blessed Mother.
This is a laugher:
I have never heard a “lay homily” that even talked about modern families. The women who gave these homilies were either too old, too bitter, or rambled so much as to be more out of touch than the priests they supposedly were replacing.
I like how he did this. He, as St. Paul recommended, approached the offenders, privately. It was only then he made his decision public.
The thaw continues. Deo Gratias!
We made Fr. Z’s blog today!
http://wdtprs.com/blog/
Sorry, here is the full URL:
http://wdtprs.com/blog/2014/07/bp-matano-d-rochester-ends-decades-illicit-practice-of-lay-preaching/
Thank you, Diane, for your thoughtful commentary on what I, too, saw as a fair and balanced presentation by the paper.
It was predicted on these pages that Bishop Clark’s successor would face considerable opposition and not a little discord should he choose (as so many hoped and prayed) to restore orthodoxy to our diocese, so the negative comments in the article are no surprise. But I will pray a little harder for our bishop, who is leading with firmness, but also gentleness and charity.
And let us pray, too, for the likes of these WOC types and Father Spilly, that they may repent of pride and put on a bit of humility, joyfully submitting to lawful (and Spirit-provided) authority for a change! Philippians chapter 2 would be a good place for such folks (all of us, in fact) to start – to read, to meditate on, to put on.
Dr. Geetha is the founder of Foundation for Children in Need. She spoke at all the masses at Holy Spirit Church this past weekend.It is the first time in 13 years that I have seen a lay person during the homily at Holy Spirit Church.
http://www.fcn-usa.org/index.html
Before her talk, the deacon stated that she had permission from the Bishop and the new pastor, Fr. Schwartz to speak at all the masses this weekend. The Holy Father’s intentions this month are for lay missionaries.
Correct me if I am wrong, but I believe their are exceptions for lay people to speak during the time set aside for the homily if they are an expert in a certain field and they have the permission of the local bishop. I can’t remember where I read this, so please feel free to comment.
Catholicmom – was there also an identifiable homily and was it made clear that Dr. Geetha was not the homilist? What I’ve witnessed in the DoR (and is clearly an abuse of the canon) is the 30-second “official homily” followed by the 10-minute lay “reflection.”
Under the USCCB’s instruction (as directed by c.766), lay faithful may be permitted to preach in churches with the bishop’s approval, if they have a particular expertise, are suitably prepared and orthodox in faith (my summary), but in no case may the bishop dispense with the requirements of c.767, which reserves the homily to an ordained bishop, priest or deacon:
http://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/what-we-believe/canon-law/complementary-norms/canon-766-lay-preaching.cfm
As long as there was a homily by the priest or deacon at Holy Spirit, it sounds like what transpired was licit.
Please note that Canon 766 is NOT about preaching the homily (or a clear substitute for it) at the Mass. Canon 767 governs, i.e. no lay preaching of a homily. Even the reference above notes: “Preaching by the lay faithful may not take place within the Celebration of the Eucharist at the moment reserved for the homily.” NOTE that Canon 766 is what has caused some of the confusion and misinterpretation. The Canon is about preaching in a Church building, but NOT during the Mass.
After reading through the link posted by anonymouse, it seems like the faithful were denied a proper homily at mass this past weekend. The deacon spent a few minutes prior to the talk to introduce Dr. Geetha, then she spoke about her work. This was really an exception at Holy Spirit church.
I laughed when I came to the part of Pope Francis asking priests to “spice up” their homilies.
I have listened to quite a variety of priest homilists through the years around the Diocese of Rochester (and outside the Diocese), and it is quite obvious that some priests are more at ease or gifted with giving a homily while others have difficulty with delivery and/or gathering their thoughts together in an organized manner leading to a conclusion.
It is obvious when a homilist is not prepared and is talking off the cuff. While there are some that can pull this off and do a good job, there are others who: A. ramble on, not knowing how to quite end it, B. are trying to search for the right words and message on the spot while people are waiting C.tend to go off topic.
There was one elderly retired priest in the Diocese of Rochester many years ago, who gave the same homily at every mass when he was asked to fill in. At least it could be said he knew the homily by heart and did not ramble on, go off topic, and had difficulty trying to end his homily.
I would rather listen for an extended length of time to a priest or deacon who is interesting, who has researched their facts, has real spiritual food, and is anointed by the Holy Spirit in their delivery – than someone who has not adequately prepared, is not on fire by what they are presenting, and in drudgery, rambles on and on.
There have been priests who have voiced what a tedious task it is preparing for a homily, and they have been overjoyed by a visiting priest, a deacon, or layperson who has already prepared a homily -which they will be giving, instead of them.
I think it would be beneficial for all concerned parties if there was ongoing education for priests and deacons in regard to writing homilies and in delivering homilies.
The USCCB norms permits the local ordinary to allow the lay faithful to preach (via dispensation), except “at the moment reserved for the homily” which can never be dispensed. So, Catholicmom – it sounds like Holy Spirit (presumably unintentionally) deprived you of a homily. The deacon’s introduction may have been intended as the homily, but it does not sound like it met the definition of a homily. To their credit, they at least involved the bishop in the decision-making regarding Dr. Geetha. Or more specifically, allowed the bishop to make the decision, as called for by the norms.
Christian – great points. The quality of Catholic preaching is not great, and it cannot be denied that many people have left the Church for greener pastures (inspired, high-quality protestant/evangelical preaching). And my limited experience with “lay homilists” (yes, an oxymoron) is that the quality of their preaching was no better, despite what these ladies (I don’t recall ever hearing a male layperson “homily”) may think of themselves. It was not unintentional that the Pope spent something like 15 pages of Evangelii Gaudium talking about the need for better preaching!
It’s great the Bishop has put an end to this practice. Now, let’s hope he goes further by encouraging his priests to speak about sexual morality, something rarely done in most dioceses for the past 50 years.
Richard, I wholeheartedly agree with you.
I can’t remember the last time I heard a priest preach a homily that mentions legal abortion. I have never heard a priest preach a homily that mentions pornography, artificial contraception, or same-sex marriage.
If the homily is supposed to be the place where the Word of God sheds light upon our day-to-day lives, you would think these real-life areas of grave sinfulness might be spoken of on occasion, along with the surpassing mercy of God!
(A) Isn’t the homily supposed to be a discourse and/or explanation of the Gospel reading? If so, discussions of same-sex marriage or contraception would be out of order, unless it relates to the Gospel.
(B) Regarding lay “preaching” – perhaps a layperson could introduce the Gospel theme at the beginning of Mass for, say, 3 or 4 minutes. That would serve (1) to quiet down the congregation who have been chirping away with one another and (2) to give the layperson an opportunity to present a preface to what will be the homily. What would you think of that? What would the Bishop think of that? And what would the present lay “preachers” think of this? I might point out that maybe such a thing would encourage some men to come forward in the parish to present their introduction – under the guidance of the parish priest. Comments?
Hey y2K, I’ve got a novel idea….why don’t we just have Mass according to the rubrics and texts? You know – just have Mass…no need for lay introductions or other extraneous made up things. The laity can preach, teach and do all sorts of things outside Mass. That way we have no disputes on when Mass begins, what the rubrics mean, whether the preface is designed to game the system and whether there is a pernicious agenda at work.
y2kscotty – to your first question – in a word, NO.
The homily is not supposed to be a discourse and/or explanation of the Gospel reading. It is intended to be much more than that. It is an integral part of the revelation, in the liturgy, of the Word of God Himself. I would suggest that you read the Bishops’ recent promulgation on the Sunday Homily:
http://www.usccb.org/beliefs-and-teachings/vocations/priesthood/priestly-life-and-ministry/upload/usccb-preaching-document.pdf
Now, even if your definition were correct, you don’t see an appropriate place for a discussion of what is and is not marriage if the Gospel were Jesus’ words in Matthew 19 or Mark 10? You don’t think mention of artificial contraception might be appropriate in the context of all the many serious sins we may be guilty of, in connection with a homily on the mercy of God (i.e. a homily on John 8:1-11)? Even if your limited definition of the homily were correct, there are many opportunities for the ordained minister to include such examples.
But the homily is so much more than just an explanation of the Gospel. It is, according to the bishops, a summons to a conversion of mind and heart. By shining the light of the scriptures (not only the Gospel) on our lives, rather than to explain the Gospel, the effective preacher will explain our lives in light of the Word, and call us to change!
See page 11 of the bishops’ document:
“…every effective homily is a summons to conversion. The announcement of the Kingdom through the words and examples of the homily, if it is clear and compelling, inevitably leads the hearer to a desire to be changed.
“The need for repentance does not mean that homilies should simply berate the people for their failures. Such an approach is not usually effective, for concentrating on our sinfulness, unaccompanied by the assurance of grace, usually produces either resentment or discouragement. Preaching the Gospel entails challenge but also encouragement, consolation, support, and compassion. For this reason many teachers of homiletics warn, quite legitimately, against ‘moralizing’ homilies, which harp excessively or exclusively on sin and its dangers. But when the offer of grace is also clear and presented with pastoral sensitivity, the recipient of that grace wants to change and wants to know what the new life in Christ looks like concretely.”
In light of this, it would seem negligent of priests and deacons to preach nice theology but intentionally neglect all the areas of our lives in which we need conversion and God’s mercy and grace, and sexual morality is at or near the top of that list in this secularized, relativist culture, wouldn’t you agree?
Scotty,
Remember the passage where St. John leaped in the womb when his mother saw Mary. You could expand on that. Jesus became all things with us, except sin. He sanctified human development. Therefore all abortion is wrong
You could do the same concerning Jesus’statement about marriage and St. Paul ‘s statement about marriage when a man loves his side like. Christ loves the Church. Homosexuality is wrong. And they explain why it ‘s wrong and the mediical and psychological cone sequences
Peter. You are Rick. Whatever you bind on earth is bound in heaven. Contraception is wrong. Then explain it
You can make scriptural allegories for all the sexual issues we have today and they dovetail nicely into the readings and gospels
It has been a very long time since commenting. This post and it’s comments, however are compelling. Therefore, I offer the following.
It is heartwarming to behold the pastoral leadership of His Excellency, Bishop Matano, regarding liturgical preaching of the homily at Holy Mass.
I am aware of one male layman who was authorized by Bishop Clark to be a lay preacher. While he originally considered the diocesan authorization a blessing, it was not too long after he began preaching at Mass that he experienced suffering because of the realization that Canon Law wasn’t being interpreted and implemented in harmony with the Universal Church. Eventually no more “homily” assignments were scheduled and this lone male lay preacher was both grateful and repentant praying he never caused anyone harm praising God who can bring about good even from evil.
Personally, I believe good liturgical preaching is God’s gift to ordained preachers and parishes who abide in the Word of God, pray fervently and who are devoted wholeheartedly to Christ crucified and risen and who are docile to the Holy Spirit. This giftedness is for both the speakers and the listeners. Preaching and reflective listening with the intent to believe, repent, and to obey, all indicate true worship, true discipleship, genuine faith/hope/love.
I have heard women lay preachers denigrate the Catholic faith and mission. I have heard other Catholic women preachers who focused me on Jesus and His Mission. May God be pleased to help all of us move forward accepting Bishop Matano’s decision.
The beloved Catholic brothers and sisters who lament Bishop Matano’s decision are just that: beloved brothers and sisters. May our courageous Bishop lead all of us into the Unity of the Faith. Until then, may God open the mouths of the ordained so that they speak His Holy Word and may we be graced with ears to hear,eyes to see and hearts to understand.
Let us worship in the beauty of holiness!!
Richard, you make a good case for tying together a Scriptural reading with a corresponding moral teaching. I think it gives the teaching more force.
Anonymouse, thanks for your link to documentation.
Comments are allowed after Communion not after the homily.
As a deacon, I have preached on the topics mentioned. I’ve made a few folks upset who do still come to Mass and are very involved as well. However, most people have no issue with preaching about the tough topics. BUT, it must be done with clarity, love, compassion, and mercy.
Ron’s comment here has been moved to a new post (above) “Light One Candle.” (Administrator)
On a positive note – hooray for Bishop Matano providing some clarity on lay preaching. I hope to see him provide more guidance on other issues, like “liturgical dancing.”
Ron, I don’t know of any problematic liturgical dancing since Bp. Matano arrived. Also, under Bp. Cunningham, the half-dressed tutu wearers seem to have disappeared entirely. I think we are seeing a new style of quietly making needed changes, with mercy, charity and patience. Changes generally aren’t being announced until they have to be (upcoming EEM guidelines or until the newspaper airs the story) but we are seeing true pastoral care and solicitude of all the people involved. Let’s keep praying for Bp. Matano.
Michael includes Rochester:
http://www.churchmilitant.tv/daily/?today=2014-07-23
Mr. Voris will be happy to learn that Bishop Matano is also planning to require that extraordinary Eucharistic ministers be faithful Catholics and demonstrate such by signing a statement of faith. It is reasonable to assume that he will eventually extend that requirement to parish employees who interact with the faithful, such as pastoral associates, catechists and school teachers of religion. That would also be “attacking the poison” as Mr. Voris terms it.
As far as lay preaching being on the way out goes,it looks like a lot of the clergy is going to have to learn how to give a good homily!!!
Thanking God for Bishop Matano! Praying that he sees that a term/limit needs to be set for pastoral associates per parish. Too much familiarity and time spent per parish is a seed bed for cronyism and a good measure of lassitude.
Ginger, I think you are so right! Cliques wound the Body of Christ. Excessive employees drain parish resources, elevate the self-assigned importance of those with any title or mindset except servant, and debilitate the emergence of volunteers.
From Redemptionis Sacramentum:
63. “Within the celebration of the Sacred Liturgy, the reading of the Gospel, which is “the high point of the Liturgy of the Word”,is reserved by the Church’s tradition to an ordained minister. Thus it is not permitted for a layperson, even a religious, to proclaim the Gospel reading in the celebration of Holy Mass, nor in other cases in which the norms do not explicitly permit it.
64. The homily, which is given in the course of the celebration of Holy Mass and is a part of the Liturgy itself,“should ordinarily be given by the Priest celebrant himself. He may entrust it to a concelebrating Priest or occasionally, according to circumstances, to a Deacon, but never to a layperson. In particular cases and for a just cause, the homily may even be given by a Bishop or a Priest who is present at the celebration but cannot concelebrate”.
65. It should be borne in mind that any previous norm that may have admitted non-ordained faithful to give the homily during the eucharistic celebration is to be considered abrogated by the norm of canon 767 §1 This practice is reprobated, so that it cannot be permitted to attain the force of custom.
66. The prohibition of the admission of laypersons to preach within the Mass applies also to seminarians, students of theological disciplines, and those who have assumed the function of those known as “pastoral assistants”; nor is there to be any exception for any other kind of layperson, or group, or community, or association.
Hopefull, Volunteerism has slowly suffered strangulation the last four decades. And yes, parish resources are already shifted to maintain excessive and unnecessary employees. What happened is similar to ‘big’ government. Income and elevated status is now something very possibly worth protecting by means that is less than holy. If lay pastoral associates are here to stay then limit their term per parish to less than 6 years with option of reinstatement only one time. If a parish priest has a term of 6 year then make available to him an associate he can keep or release for the duration. It appears to me that an associate can stay at a parish indefinitely. By placing a simple limit to the time an associate can perform in one parish would help offset many of the concerns we share.
To anyone that does not think this matter has anything to do with lay reflections/homilies: Guess again. I watched a clear connection between pastoral associates with lay homilist over and over again for the past 3 decades.
If you have been on the D&C website and checked out comments by both the knowing and unknowing, you will have already seen a hodgepodge response of 5 letters from the supposed Rochester Catholic Community. No wonder Bishop Matano is committed to walking the line of truth, and trying to teach us all what is Church Law and what is needed to be obedient to it. There are souls at stake. The seeds and weeds of disobedience are very obvious in some of the on-line replies, and some would get a laugh, perhaps, if it weren’t so tragic. The stubbornness and disobedience of redesigning a 2000 year old faith to be in step with designer flavors of the season, is sadly obvious.
Consider for example the absurd words of an alleged Arthur Quinn in Webster which analogizes enforcing of Canon Law to kidnappings, mass rapes and female genital mutilation “on a wide scale.” Honest. I couldn’t make this stuff up if I tried. Obviously that letter to the editor says more about its author than about Truth, Obedience and Righteousness.
Then there is the proclamation by the infamous Casey Lopata accusing Bishop Matano of losing faith in the Holy Spirit and — get ready for this one –that “God’s word was incompletely proclaimed until enriched by the insights of women.” Perhaps Lopata is seeing the handwriting on the wall, in its truest scriptural sense?
Then follows the accusation by Beatrice Wolford of Victor that the announcement to follow the law “alienates the faithful.” She decides to interpret Canon Law for herself and announces: “As a matter of clarification, canon law does not prohibit the laity from sharing the homily. It merely prohibits the laity from being the sole preacher of the homily.” Lady, where have you been? The progress of her illogical thinking is that if it had been wrong the prior bishop would have stopped it (oh!) and the patently illogical assertion that there is “no universal church law prohibiting the Rochester Diocese’s practice of sharing the homily.” She apparently twists the USCCB words about other preaching to mean homily at Mass, e.g. etc, etc. Ms. Beatrice seems completely ignorant of Canon Laws 767 and 766, blaming instead “doctrinal leadership….” Does she even understand that Canon Laws and Doctrines are two different things?
Give thanks, however, for those who are not afraid to stand up for their bishop, and for Truth. Here are excerpts from the input of Jean LoGiudice of Irondequoit:
“… many claimed to be upset. I wonder if they heard the rest of us, for almost 40 years, lamenting the disobedience of parish leadership flouting church law, if they considered our pain in having to sit through the talks of people who should not be preaching during Mass, our loss in not hearing from priests and deacons. Complainers then were considered whiners and not supportive of the then bishop. Well, a wise man once said, “Obedience to disobedience is not obedience.”
Obeying is always hard, yes, but disobedience carries bigger baggage, and those who knowingly led it and participated in it are responsible for the pain each instance caused then, and the pain the righteous remedy causes some people now.”
Hank and Christine Constantine of Brighton applaud Bishop Matano’s decision. “Orthodox Catholics … are not moved by those “saddened” by the ending of a “40-year-old custom.” Canon law is much more universal and long-lived than the local custom whose cessation they lament. We welcome this move toward orthodoxy by Bishop Matano, and look forward to more.”
For the full content, go here: http://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/opinion/2014/07/26/reactions-rein-tightening-bishop/13120559/
Remember, it is not too late to send a supportive letter to Bp. Matano. To ease his administrative burden, you might want to add at the end of your letter “no response expected.”
Perhaps some of these ex diocesan and parish leaders, who may have been uncharitable in their dealings with those faithful to Christ’s Church should have taken these words to heart: Be kind to people as you go up the ladder because you will certainly meet them again on your way down the ladder!
Y2Kscotty!!
I would like to see a balance between sermons and homilies. I think we need both!!!
I received a very thoughtful email from someone who follows CF but is not a commenter. While I urge everyone to register and present their own thoughts, I did ask permission to reprint an excerpt from what I found to be quite a meaningful observation, and here it is:
“… There is one thing that has been bothering me above all–on every issue. I wrote to the D&C about it, but they didn’t publish that letter. It is this: People on all sides of the issues are either appealing to or complaining about “rules.” NO ONE is mentioning (in print) about the love behind the law, the responsibility of the Church to keep open the avenues of grace between God and the people. Often this grace is sacramental. In the case of the ordained delivering homilies, the Holy Spirit works through the Sacrament of Orders and the Mass liturgy to reach the person in the pew. The ill-prepared preacher and inattentive pew warmer may squander a good part of this grace, but the Holy Spirit is not often stifled completely! Many men and women can give a fine talk on the readings of the day, sometimes a better one than the average homily–but that’s not the point! God sometimes chooses weak speakers (Moses, for instance, and St. Paul could go on way too long!) to remind us that it is His Word being proclaimed and expounded upon, not merely the word of the preacher.
Marriage laws are all about love; you don’t need to hear more about that. Other corrections (about lifestyles, for instance) are meant to keep us moving toward our perfection in God, which, after all, will be our perfection in charity. Church laws are guard rails to keep us within divine love on our way to God. No one forces us to keep them, so why all the fuss?…”
It doesn’t hurt to be reminded once in a while.
Bishop Matano must be doing something right…he is one again criticized in an article in today’s National Catholic Reporter:
http://ncronline.org/blogs/simply-spirit/why-are-we-silencing-women-and-lay-preachers
Well done, Your Excellency! Keep up the great work!
Thanks, Chrysostom.
I read the NCReporter article and wanted to post to the author (whose piece, by the way, is fraught with errors) that it was Pope Francis himself who sent Bishop Matano to Rochester, but I am apparently blacklisted by the NCReporter (open minded publication that they are obviously not). Ben, your post is showing, so you might want to point out this not insignificant fact.
I am blacklisted by the NCReporter – I all afternoon I will happily sing the words from the Sound of Music song: “…I must have done something good.”
I just visited the NCReporter page again, to read some of the 300+ responses to “Sister” Christine Shenk’s hit piece against our new Bishop. And now I feel like I need to go shower. The anger, the flat-out hatred exhibited by the so-called enlightened, progressive Catholics is abhorrent and, frankly, diabolical. I dare say it must be a near occasion of sin to even go to the NCReporter.
If there is this much hatred and anger expressed on the pages of the NCReporter, one can only imagine what is being said behind closed doors at various rectories and mother houses around our diocese. Let us pray in earnest for our new shepherd!
Where did the comments section go in the ncr article? I can’t seem to access it anymore. Am I missing something or did they drop the comments? I had made a few comments and got the most ridiculous responses.
Ben – I went looking for the comment section too and I can’t find them either. Perhaps they discontinued comments.
Ben – The comment section is back now.