Well, in my experience there is always a surge in those entering the seminaries, male religious communities and usually more traditional (yes, some are NO communities) congregations of women.
While TC was ridiculous, unfair and scandalous, the Old Rite is not the only way to offer the Divine Sacrifice as seen in the various Eastern Church…
Well, in my experience there is always a surge in those entering the seminaries, male religious communities and usually more traditional (yes, some are NO communities) congregations of women.
While TC was ridiculous, unfair and scandalous, the Old Rite is not the only way to offer the Divine Sacrifice as seen in the various Eastern Churches and Liturgies offered at WYD (most in the vernacular of the people attending).
Great good can and does come out of these events along with some abuses and nonsense.
We are a fallen people. No event like this is perfect. We have to wait for the fullness of the Kingdom which is to come.
Of course the traditional latin rite is not the only way: no-one asserted it was - as you highlight, the eastern liturgies are venerable too. (Granted, I did mention latin).
Sadly, I am not convinced that "great good" comes out of these events. I confidently predict that most of the attendees of this WYD will not remain as practising Catholics.
I do not know of your local trends, but in the country where I live, Mass attendance has halved in the last 30 years. We do not have our problems to seek as a Church and I think its passed time we recognised that and took action, I do not think this style of sentimental religious festival does much to help!
You forgot that many of the pilgrims that come to these events are from societies, mostly from the developing world, that are not secular, unlike those in the West, and more often come to WYD with the sincere intent of renewing their faith. It's quite myopic to assume that the problems Western Catholics experience are the same problems African Catholics experience, most especially since the church in Africa is growing.
That is a good point, but I didnt mean to suggest that problems are the same everywhere.
WYD could be a good thing, if it sought to encourage piety rather than sentimentality. If it adequately reflected our beliefs - at every WYD, the shoddy treatment of the Eucharist shames the event.
Have you see the pictures of the plastic ciboriums used this year, which do not meet the requirements of the Catholic Church? Or the grey plastic tupperware tubs used as a tabernacle?
Why do things always have to be done so poorly? Why not do them properly and present a coherent system of belief to young people? How we worship informs how we believe - and vice versa.
It is good the Church is growing in Africa. The continent produces many good priests, which Europe increasingly relies upon. The Church grows there because African Catholicism is conservative (traditional in morality and catechesis, if not liturgy).
Well, in my experience there is always a surge in those entering the seminaries, male religious communities and usually more traditional (yes, some are NO communities) congregations of women.
While TC was ridiculous, unfair and scandalous, the Old Rite is not the only way to offer the Divine Sacrifice as seen in the various Eastern Churches and Liturgies offered at WYD (most in the vernacular of the people attending).
Great good can and does come out of these events along with some abuses and nonsense.
We are a fallen people. No event like this is perfect. We have to wait for the fullness of the Kingdom which is to come.
Hi Bisbee,
Of course the traditional latin rite is not the only way: no-one asserted it was - as you highlight, the eastern liturgies are venerable too. (Granted, I did mention latin).
Sadly, I am not convinced that "great good" comes out of these events. I confidently predict that most of the attendees of this WYD will not remain as practising Catholics.
I do not know of your local trends, but in the country where I live, Mass attendance has halved in the last 30 years. We do not have our problems to seek as a Church and I think its passed time we recognised that and took action, I do not think this style of sentimental religious festival does much to help!
You forgot that many of the pilgrims that come to these events are from societies, mostly from the developing world, that are not secular, unlike those in the West, and more often come to WYD with the sincere intent of renewing their faith. It's quite myopic to assume that the problems Western Catholics experience are the same problems African Catholics experience, most especially since the church in Africa is growing.
Hi Karl,
That is a good point, but I didnt mean to suggest that problems are the same everywhere.
WYD could be a good thing, if it sought to encourage piety rather than sentimentality. If it adequately reflected our beliefs - at every WYD, the shoddy treatment of the Eucharist shames the event.
Have you see the pictures of the plastic ciboriums used this year, which do not meet the requirements of the Catholic Church? Or the grey plastic tupperware tubs used as a tabernacle?
Why do things always have to be done so poorly? Why not do them properly and present a coherent system of belief to young people? How we worship informs how we believe - and vice versa.
It is good the Church is growing in Africa. The continent produces many good priests, which Europe increasingly relies upon. The Church grows there because African Catholicism is conservative (traditional in morality and catechesis, if not liturgy).