BISHOP SCHNEIDER AND ROLE OF LAITY IN FOSTERING TRADITION

[PAIX LITURGIQUE]  bishops: the laity have a role to play

SOURCE  - Paix Liturgique - Letter 410 - October 21, 2013

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A few weeks ago, two bishops commended the role played by the laity in the restoration of a dignified liturgy, especially the manifestation of their commitment to the Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum of Pope Benedict XVI. Above all, they engage the faithful to continue in this way to allow the Eucharistic liturgy to find all its' rights in the life of our parishes.

I - "POWER TO THE PEOPLE!"

Monday, September 30, in Rome, Bishop Athanasius Schneider, Auxiliary Bishop of Astana, capital of Kazakhstan, presented his latest book, published by the Vatican Publishing: Corpus Christi, La Santa comunione it Rinnovamento e della Chiesa (Corpus Christi, Holy Communion and the renewal of the Church), a French translation is in progress for the next editions of the publication Catholic Renaissance.

In his paper, Bishop Schneider spoke of the current situation of the Church and recalled that it was "largely the responsibility of the clergy." Bishop Schneider, who grew up under Soviet persecution and opens Corpus Christi by using a cautionary historical evidence - as he did for his first book (. Dominus is to understand the communion rite practiced by Benedict XVI, published Tempora, 2008) - knows how the devotion of the faithful can complement and sometimes substitute the zeal of priests. So he did not hesitate to invite the laity to engage in particular for the return of the reception of holy communion kneeling and on the tongue, the subject of his latest book.

This invitation of Bishop Schneider joined the one made ​​at the conference Sacra Liturgia of June (see our letter 394 ), by Bishop Sample, the Archbishop of Portland. The latter said, in a beautiful way on the urgent need for the Catholic liturgy of seeing amplify the process opened by Summorum Pontificum, had not only invited "all the bishops to become familiar with the extraordinary form of the Roman rite," but also concluded his remarks, not without irony, with the exclamation: "Power to the people!"(Power to the people!).

Make no mistake: neither Bishop Sample nor Bishop Schneider want to give up the reins of the Church to "the base". However, both of them were born at the dawn of the 60s, have lived and experienced the crisis of the 70s grew stronger in their priestly vocation so they know all the damage that the clergy and irresponsible innovators can  often cause and how, in contrast,the  simple faithful can provide, for their part, to maintain the deposit of faith.

II - REFLECTIONS OF PEACE LITURGICAL

1 - It is not necessary to recall that the Church is not a democracy, nor is it particularly governed by the principles of the Social Contract modern democracy. Its divine constitution because it is headed by the successor of Peter and by the successors of the Apostles in communion with him, and by bishops, priests. But the laity, who are in direct charge of the civil and political life, must bring all their active participation in the life of the Church, confession of faith, mission, work, etc.. Moreover, everyone in the church should support his brothers and his superiors, especially when they do not fulfill their duty or become faint. Catherine of Siena did she not boldly tell that to the cardinals of the Roman Church and the Pope himself? This did not prevent her being canonised and proclaimed "Doctor of the Church."

2 - To be second, the role of the laity in the Church is no less fundamental. In fact, Bishop Schneider as Bishop Sample, also marked by the teaching of Benedict XVI on the centrality of the liturgy in the life of the Church, merely refer to the texts of the Second Vatican Council, the Dogmatic Constitution Lumen Gentium (Chapter IV) the decree Inter Mirifica on the means of social communication (as Paix Liturgique is!) specify the place and role of the laity in the Church. Dedicated to the apostolate of the laity, the decree Apostolicam Actuositatem, clearly states: "At a time when new questions arise and where spread of serious errors tend to radically destroy religion, moral and human society itself -Similarly, the Council strongly urges the laity, each according to his talents and doctrinal formation, to take a more active part in the spirit of the Church, in deepening and defense of Christian principles in their application as suitable for problems of our time. "

In Article 10, the role of the laity in the church communities, including the decree invites the faithful to be "used to work in the parish in close union with their priests, to bring the community of the Church their own problems, those of the world and issues affecting the salvation of men, to consider and resolve, taking into account the opinion of all. "

3 - This is the mobilization of all the laity and not just some of them, duly selected by ideologized clergy, called for by the Council. Many secular "progressives" in fact, as we know, took responsibility in dioceses and parishes in the 70s. Besides, White hair, they are often still there, become irremovable "bosses" of parish councils and sometimes even diocesan.

However, this near hegemony was facilitated in some instances by the fact that the other laity, who are not progressive, have willingly given up their entire place. Today, and this is the message that we retain our young bishops, the people Summorum Pontificum must also engage in parish life. Especially her youngest fringe, the one "it is fascinating, says Bishop Sample to see how she deals with liturgical, traditional and secular aspects of the life of the Church."

This is important because many dioceses of France will have, not in ten years, but tomorrow,  only a handful of priests. 

We must face up to a dramatic religious situation and not be afraid to consider bold solutions. A new phase in the life of the Church, a Church almost without priests, opens up in our country. It is urgent that those dedicated to "Catholic tradition" reflect on this situation and actively prepare. It's time for Catholics who want to save rank liturgy, catechesis, parish life, to manifest themselves. Many parishes in France will now be managed by the laity, with the intervention of a "priest moderator" to celebrate Mass and administer the sacraments. Why, for example, could there not be a number of these parishes for the extraordinary form or not they would make a significant way to the extraordinary form, with lay "extraordinary sensitivity"? Why rather than a number of "moderators priests" do they not invite priests celebrating the Extraordinary Form?

As the military from the civilian world, clerical vocations awaken in young laity. The generous commitment of lay people who truly love the Church, as is well known, prepares priestly and religious vocations.  THe many Vocations in the traditional world at large are supported by a strong lay Catholic activism.

To do this, it certainly belongs to the ordinary faithful, to take the plunge - it is also a condition of the application of Summorum Pontificum as the creation of a "Coetus fidelium" - but also to priests and laity to make room for their brothers in faith, even if their sensitivity is not theirs.

4 - We invite those of our readers who participate in Summorum Pontificum pilgrimage to Rome this weekend, not to miss the presentation will Bishop Schneider of his latest book, Saturday 26 to 16 hours at Centro ecumenica Russia, Borgo Pio 141 (5 minutes from the Place Saint-Pierre). Although the presentation will probably Italian, Bishop Schneider speaks our language and certainly say a few words to the French pilgrims.