Column Mahonys pastoral concern shows in liturgy
letter By THOMAS C.
FOX
Los Angeles Cardinal Roger Mahonys liturgical renewal
efforts have spawned bitter criticisms from the Catholic right (NCR,
Dec. 5 and 26, 1997, Jan. 30). Los Angeles is the most multiethnic archdiocese
on earth, serving more than 3.6 million Catholics from 102 different ethnic
communities. To say it is important to the future of the church is an
understatement.
Many on the right obviously had thought that with the death of
Cardinal Joseph Bernardin in 1996, any further visions of an inclusive,
pastoral church from within the highest ranks of the U.S. episcopacy had been
sent to a Chicago graveyard.
But it was not to be.
Mahony was deeply touched by the Chicago cardinal in the last
months of his life. Bernardins dying experience bonded the two men. In
the wake of the death, Mahony emerged with new spirit, renewed vision and
healthy determination.
The Mahony-Bernardin link dates back to the summer of 1996.
Bernardin, eager at the time to get the Catholic Common Ground Project off the
ground before his death, went public with it. He called for greater dialogue
with the Catholic left and right. The nations East Coast cardinals,
however, in a rare move, publicly criticized the plan. Mahony, on the other
hand, called Bernardin to offer his support.
Three months later, Mahony was again with Bernardin, but this time
at the prelates bedside as his life ran down. It came as little surprise
that Mahony was chosen by Bernardin to be chief celebrant at his funeral Mass.
(Had Bernardin not designated a principal celebrant, protocol would likely have
meant that Cardinal Bernard Law of Boston, now the highest ranking U.S.
prelate, would have led the ceremony.)
In the wake of Bernardins death, many looked to Mahony and
wondered if he would carry on the Bernardin legacy of articulating a pastoral
vision of church. Theres nothing terribly radical about that vision, of
course, yet it is out of step with the radically conservative senior ranks of
the U.S. episcopacy.
Evidence of Mahonys more moderate influence predates
Bernardins death, and perhaps it is Bernardins absence that has
allowed Mahony greater pastoral visibility. A strong sign occurred a year ago
when the cardinal, responding to right-wing criticism that the Los Angeles
Religious Education Congress had been harboring church radicals, personally
stepped in. Mahony rebuked critics, citing the good intentions and
profound commitment of the thousands who had turned out for the
congress.
However, the clearest sign of Mahonys growing pastoral voice
can be found in the pastoral letter, Gather Faithfully Together: A Guide
for Sunday Mass, issued last Sept. 4, feast of Our Lady of the
Angels.
In the wake of protracted and dispiriting battles among the U.S.
hierarchy over wording of the sacramentary and lectionary, the Mahony pastoral
sparked new excitement and sent out a clear message to liturgists that not
every member of the hierarchy had backed out of the liturgical renewal
movement. Many liturgists desperately needed that lift.
We dont learn to be Catholics from the catechism, but
from doing our liturgy, said Gabe Huck, an editor at Liturgical Training
Publications, which published Mahonys pastoral in booklet form. At
a point where a major figure needed to be heard from, here he is. ... It was
wonderful, Huck said of Mahonys letter.
Mahonys pastoral is significant because it comes out of Los
Angeles, because it expands the conversation and because it is utterly simple
and pastoral to the core. Mahony also has placed care for his people over
institutional politics. He well knows, for example, that Cardinal Joseph
Ratzinger, prefect of the Vaticans Congregation for the Doctrine of the
Faith, has spoken of the need to reform the (liturgical) reform
movement, meaning to end it.
Ratzinger and others like him want to return the church to some
kind of non-historical ideal. They advocate a one-size-fits-all liturgical norm
that has simply not been the norm throughout church history.
Mahony, on the other hand, has liturgy responding to local need.
Liturgy, Mahonys pastoral states, should take on the pace, sounds
and shape that other cultures bring, adding that homogeneity and
comfort are not gospel values. Yet Mahony calls for pastoral norms.
The struggle over liturgy conceals deeper theological and
ecclesial issues still begging for answers. The right fears lest active lay
participation blur the distinction between clergy and laity, specifically the
role of the priest in the church today. Ironically, Mahonys emphasis on
liturgical renewal has lifted the spirits of Los Angeles priests. The pastoral
contained an emphasis on the priest as liturgical presider.
Mahonys pastoral upset the Catholic right. Mother Angelica
took the lead on her cable television network, EWTN. On her nationally
syndicated television program Nov. 12, 1997, she sharply criticized the
pastoral, saying it placed insufficient emphasis on the real presence of Jesus.
She called on Catholics to practice zero obedience in the Los
Angeles diocese.
Though later expressing regret for those remarks, Mother Angelica
has continued to attack the pastoral letter. Mahony decided he would not sit
back. He has taken his case to Rome, asking for changes at the controversial
Catholic media outlet.
Silencing Mother Angelica is not the answer. That road never
works. Instead, the church needs a healthy airing of the issues. It also needs
bishops like Mahony willing to make room for thoughtful liturgical renewal.
Catholic liturgists understand that liturgy is core to renewal. We
must get it right. And neglecting a rapidly changing world with rapidly
changing parishes and parish needs will only assure that we will never get it
right. Good liturgy is essential because it heals, inspires, unites and
empowers. And people need healing, inspiration, unity and empowerment.
Bishop Donald Trautman, former U.S. bishops liturgy
committee chairman, was on the mark when he said, in praise of Mahonys
letter: If there is to be peace and justice, service to the poor and the
elderly, Christian education and formation, schools, hospitals, soup kitchens,
these will be fed by a meaningful celebration of the liturgy.
The stakes are important. How refreshing to see such pastoral
leadership.
Tom Fox is NCR's publisher.
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