April Liturgy

Because of the recent liturgical changes and changes in liturgical translation law, many of the current liturgical texts are undergoing extensive revisions. The January 2002 Newsletter from the Bishops' Committee on the Liturgy (US) contained updates on these efforts. A summary is provided here.

1. The Lectionary for Mass: The new lectionary has been revised and approved both for Sundays and weekdays. The new lectionary becomes mandatory on May 19, 2002 (Pentecost Sunday). All other translations, including the New American and Revised Standard, will no longer be allowed at Mass after this date.

2. The Roman Missal: The Roman Missal is currently being printed but a promulgation date has not been named. There have been delays for a few reasons. First, the Vatican wanted the various countries to get all adaptations approved before the release of the Missal so there would be minimal confusion when the Missal was released. Second, there are supposedly some problems type-setting the chant that is part of the Missal.

3. The Order for Ordaining Bishops, Priests and Deacons is currently under revision. The Committee on the Liturgy will be reviewing the revisions this month.

4. Order of Marriage: A new order was approved in 1990. US adaptations were completed in 1998. A translation by ICEL is currently in the works.

5. The Rite of Exorcism: A new rite of exorcism was approved in 1998. A translation is currently being prepared by ICEL.

6. Spanish Funeral Rite: A revised funeral rite was approved in 1999 for Spanish people within the United States. The new edition should be printed this year.

7. Spanish Lectionary: A new edition of the Spanish Lectionary for the United States containing the approved texts in the Mexican Lectionary is being prepared now. This will replace the current Spanish Lectionary.

I recently listened to a priest at a mission essentially lecture that we should " all just get along." In other words he was in favor of ecumenism to the point of ignoring any doctrinal differences between Catholicism and other Christian religions. I have experienced outright hostility from other priests when the subject of Apologetics is raised on the basis that "we aren't supposed to talk that way."

I understand the value of Ecumenism, but where do we draw the line. The Church is the Pillar and Foundation of Truth and yet these priests seem content to ignore that reality. From a larger perspective, are we not doing our non-Catholic brothers and sisters a disservice by letting them remain in error on subjects like "faith alone." To me it seems that our "ecumenism" is allowing Christians do die in a state of mortal sin. As an apologist, I would love to hear your perspective on this issue.

Answer by Catholic Answers:

True ecumenism is not indifferentism. Vatican II's Decree on Ecumenism, for example, or the Constitution on the Church, or the pope's encyclical on ecumenism (Ut Unum Sint)--all make it quite clear that 1) all persons validly baptized are brothers and sisters in Christ, but (2) one has access to the fullness of truth and life in Christ only in communion with the Successor of Peter.

Pope John Paul II longs for the time when all Christians will participate together in the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass. On true Christian unity he says, "Full communion will have to come about through the acceptance of the whole truth..." (Et Unum Sint, 36).

"This unity...is not something added on, but stands at the very heart of Christ's mission" (ibid,9).

In his address to a group of Brazilian bishops he said, "It is not a question of seeking unity at any cost. Ecumenical dialogue...will never be true, authentic, if it implies even the most minimal mutilation of truth of faith..."

It is not right to leave non-Catholic Christians in a state of ignorance concerning the truths of the Church, for Christ commanded us to preach the gospel to every creature and to teach them "to observe all that I have commanded you" (Matt 28:20).