Friday, June 7, 2013

Cardinal Lehman Against the Increase of the 'Old Mass'

He believes "a stronger juxtaposition of both liturgical forms today is not useful, also because it is not grown from below" Cologne (kath.net / CBA) At the "Eucharistic Congress" of German Catholics in Cologne, Cardinal Karl Lehmann of Mainz turned against the increased celebration of the "Tridentine rite" in Latin. "I have the impression that the whole enthusiasm for the Latin has a lot to do with prestige and false pretenses of a supposed cultural elite," the Bishop of Mainz said the "Kölner Stadt-Anzeiger". He has always considered such motives rather skeptically, said the Cardinal.

He defended the liturgical reform after the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965) as a "gold piece". After a partial withdrawal of the ban under Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI. now provides a wider range of Masses in the Old Rite. According to Lehmann, the popularity has increased but not to the same degree. He considers "a stronger juxtaposition of both liturgical forms today to be not useful, also because it is not grown from below," added the Cardinal. "The trend is more in the direction of the renewed Mass."

To the revision arranged byBenedict XVI. in the words of consecration in the Mass, said Lehmann, one must "now wait for the times and that everyone can perhaps relax a bit." Following the request of the former Pope, it is no longer pressing to the central point of the Mass, that the blood of Jesus has been spilled "for all" people, but "for many." According to Lehmann, the dispute over the "for all" or was "for many" so far "in the atmospheric spell of whether the traditionalists hope too much from Rome. "If one says that God's will is for salvation of all people, the translation of the words of consecration should no longer be no question of such great urgency and drama," said the Cardinal. Even Pope Benedict XVI. himself concedes that both translations are theologically appropriate and legitimate, it was "not entirely clear why then, only the translation should strictly be allowed." In addition, Lehmann called for an in-depth exchange of expression "for all": "'We are all in the sky', is overly simplistic."

Congress in Cologne Old Mass in St. Peter's Basilica with Cardinal Brandmüller

8 comments:

Athelstane said...

"The trend is more in the direction of the renewed Mass."

I can only wonder what trend the Cardinal is looking at.

In 1989, the Mass attendance rate in Germany was 28%. In 2009, it had plummeted to 14%.

Clinton R. said...

Oh yes, the New Mass and the 'fresh air' of Vatican II has done wonders for the Catholic Church. Cardinal Lehman's comments are not surprising since these Old Liberals' goal is to destroy the Church. They will fail of course, but not after they have inflicted so much damage. Domine, miserere nobis. +JMJ+

B. King said...

Every time I see that photo I keep thinking..."Hold the pickles. Hold the lettuce. Special orders don't upset us."

Anonymous said...

Ironic given that TLM offered in my diocese for decades was assisted by many of the homeless of the city and was offered in a downtrodden urban neighborhood. Only since Benedict put it on the radar did this liberal diocese move TLM to a clean well cared for building is the nice part of town. Of course the homeless can no longer attend, the buses do not travel on sunday, and it is too far to walk as they used to. Prestige and false pretenses indeed.

A wonderful witness of the credibility of the these Bishops opinion.
http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/german-bishops-to-quickly-sell-shares-in-porn-publisher/

Anonymous said...

The Cardinal is stuck in the 60's. Thank God nature is taking care of his generation!

Anonymous said...

Anonymous 7 June 11:19 AM, That is appalling. Is it too late?. Are the old neighborhood people lost. Why did not the Priest see that volunteers and if necessary voluntolds made an effort to keep up with these people and pick them up for Mass? What kind of clean cared for Building did they move to?

Anonymous said...

The TLM is elitist only because the Novus Ordo is dumbed down.

Mike Poulin said...

50 percent under 16 years old at our beautiful Latin Mass. We are the future ! Vivo Christo Rey ... bub-bye now liberals...he he he