By Tim Rohr
For years we have been criticized for labeling Neocat priests "Neocat priests." We were shouted at that there is no such thing as a Neocatechumenal priest, that they are "just priests," diocesan priests, like the other diocesan priests. We knew this wasn't true. We knew that their formation and mission was completely different than "regular" diocesan priests. So we continued to label them what they were: "Neocat priests."
Yesterday, at the ceremony for Santa Marian Kamelen, Archbishop Ryan Jimenez confirmed that "priests in the Neo-Catechumenal Way" are their own subset of priests - that they are different.
"To my brother priests and deacons, where are we now as a presbyterate?" he asked. "Are we committed to walk together—as religious priests--the Capuchins and Jesuits—as local priests, as Filipino priests, as priests in the Neo-Catechumenal Way?"
The Capuchins and Jesuits are "religious" (belonging to an order). Local and Filipino priests refer to the obvious. So who are the "priests in the Neo-Catechumenal Way?"
Well, they are "Neocat priests," formed for a different mission and purpose than the diocesan priesthood.
By the way, you may want to read this.
Great Britain: The “Neocatechumenal Way” Reined in by a Bishop
The danger that many bishops fear is that the particular habits of the Neocatechumenal communities all over the world will introduce a new “rite” into the Latin liturgy, artificially created by the founders of the Way, a rite that is foreign to liturgical tradition, full of doctrinal ambiguities, and a cause for division in the community of the faithful. In short, a new Mass of the New Mass.
As someone who only recently joined a community in the neocatechumenal way… is it the way they celebrate Mass that is the issue or is it their catechesis as well? Genuinely curious. I grew up in the Catholic Church, was very involved in my parish for years into adulthood. Many of my family and friends you can say are “anti-neo”.
ReplyDeleteIt's both, but especially the catechesis which is based in Kiko's catechetical directory which no one can see except for the catechists. That's completely opposite of the real Catholic Church which makes its catechism open and available for all. There are lots of post about the issues on this blog, but for a consolidated summary see A CRITICAL LOOK AT THE NEOCATECHUMENAL WAY in the right side bar on this blog.
DeleteI'm curious as to where and when you "joined" the NCW because as far as I know, there is still a moratorium on forming new communities.
DeleteI am disappointed in the Church on both a more personal and institutional level. I admire the bishop in the article above who is investigating and putting an end to what may be considered liturgical abuses and other heretical practices of the NCW. All we need is the widespread practice of a new rite or a new Mass of the New Mass to add to the present confusion. In my opinion, an informal schism already exists within the Church with some of the faithful attending the Traditional Latin Mass and others attending the more widespread Novus Ordo Mass. And to this we add the Mass of the NCW. While it is admirable that the NCW is bringing people closer to God and back to the Church, doctrinal ambiguities are troubling and need to be cleared up. More division and more confusion are not what we need.
ReplyDeleteOn another note, I was disappointed to read that Pope Francis declined to attend the re-opening of the Notre Dame Cathedral, that iconic monument of French Catholicism, in Paris. I do hope there was a representative from the Vatican present at the re-opening which I hope will contribute to the revitalization of the Church in France (and indeed in all of Europe).
Responding to: “In my opinion, an informal schism already exists within the Church with some of the faithful attending the Traditional Latin Mass and others attending the more widespread Novus Ordo Mass.”
DeleteThere are many who would argue that it is the “New Mass” which is in schism given how it was created out of thin air and with no organic foundation. In any event, as Pope Benedict 16 said in Summorum Pontificum and the accompanying letter to the bishops, the TLM was never abrogated and what was sacred then is sacred now. He also made clear that both the TLM and the NO are two “forms” (not rites) of the same Mass.
There is also the reality of multiple rites of the Easter churches (Marionite, etc.) which are all legitimate and faithful to Rome. At the root of the problem with the neocat liturgy is their refusal to conform their distribution of communion to what Rome requires, particularly the part where the priest does not communicate before distribution to the congregation. This is reflective of the problem with Kiko’s theology - which does not hold that the Sacred Host is the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Kiko holds that the Eucharist is Christ’s presence in the community, and not in a unique way in the consecrated species.
And yes, the pope not showing up for the Notre Dame thing is suspicious. Some say he's not feeling well, but he's on video performing just fine elsewhere at the same time. More troubling is the nasty stuff the French bishops approved of in the sanctuary. The French government did an excellent job restoring the cathedral to its former glory without modernistic flares that some wanted. But the bishops had the authority to determine the altar and much of the rest of what is in the sanctuary and it's modernistic garbage which is completely out of context with the restoration not to mention the history of the place. Seems like we can't do enough to sabotage our sacred spaces. But then Jesus warned that we would find the abomination in the temple. And so we are.
ReplyDelete-This is reflective of the problem with Kiko’s theology - which does not hold that the Sacred Host is the Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity of Our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Kiko holds that the Eucharist is Christ’s presence in the community, and not in a unique way in the consecrated species.
ReplyDeleteWould be helpful to know what percentage of the communities believe the latter
There may be individuals who don't accept Kiko's theology 100%, but "the communities" are not autonomous. They must follow their Responsibles and Catechists who are in lock step with what Kiko teaches.
DeleteThat teaching alone should disqualify it as being Catholic
DeleteIt should, but no one has the will to do it. So we do what we can to educate here. Meanwhile, though, you don't need to be a neocat to not believe in the Real Presence. Only about a 1/3 of Catholics believe it.
DeleteThank you for your reply to my comments of December 15. I was unaware that the NCW did not believe in the Real Presence. Does this present a problem when the NCW priests preside over non-NCW or Novus Ordo Masses? It is sad that only about 1/3 of Catholics believe in the Real Presence of Our Lord Jesus Christ in the Holy Eucharist (It would be interesting to conduct a survey of our local Catholics here on Guam). But is it any wonder when such practices as Communion in the hand and eucharistic ministers continue and which I understand were not intended to spread to the worldwide Church in the first place? Why didn't the Popes just put a stop to these practices? I have personally observed stateside parishes in which people remain standing during the Consecration and was informed by a relative that, at her stateside parish, there is no act of reverence such as bowing before receiving Communion. My introduction to the Traditional Latin Mass occurred several years ago in Los Angeles with Bishop Athanasius Schneider presiding. I was simply blown away by the reverence, transcendence, mystery, and beauty. The TLM to me is simply a more superior form of the Mass and, admittedly it would take me some time to become accustomed to it, but I would like to attend more frequently but I am hindered from doing so due to transportation difficulties. In addition to the abolishment of Communion in the hand and eucharistic ministers, I desire to see more prayers said in Latin, the sacred language of the Church, in the NO Masses as well as more traditional hymns with simple but prayerful and classic melodies and lyrics sung instead of some of the contemporary hymns which can sound like word salads. I would like for Eucharistic Prayer 1, the Roman Canon, to be prayed more often at least on Sundays instead of the brief Eucharistic Prayer 2. Could all these other changes to the liturgy have contributed to the decreased belief in the Real Presence as well as to an overall decrease in Mass attendance and to the practice of the faith? I have a passion for preserving my CHamoru language and culture and I am equally passionate about preserving the traditions of our Catholic Church. With each passing generation, these traditions are in danger of disappearing altogether. Just recently on the Lifesite News website, an article appeared of a "Sri Lankan cardinal banning female altar servers, citing damage to priestly vocations" and in another article by Father Joachim Heimerl about Pope Francis' restrictions on the Latin Mass, he states that tradition cannot be seen "merely as a custom that can be maintained or abolished" but that "tradition always means legitimacy." I am just one opinion but I appreciate the opportunity to express myself here and to contribute a little bit towards evangelization.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your thoughtful comment. I'll be giving it some thought before I reply. Merry Christmas.
DeleteIt is very difficult to document the errors of NCW teachings since its catechetical directory is available only to its leadership and its content is a secret. And even when there has been investigations, it's standard practice for their leadership to say one thing and do another. Finding the truth about the NCW is further complicated by the fact that their priests look and act completely orthodox, even more orthodox than non-NCW priests given that they always wear their clerics - something our non-NCW's are required to do, but rarely do.
ReplyDeleteAs to why the popes haven't shut down this and other heretical-type activities in the church, the real authority to do so lies with the individual bishops, which, as was the case here with Apuron, the NCW generals fought so hard to preserve Apuron.
Re communion in the hand, etc., Pope Paul 6 officially permitted the bishops to decide the matter for themselves relative to the practice in each diocese. However, this permission was only given after many years of giving communion in the hand without permission - mostly in Germany. It's unfortunate, but the pope signaled that if you want change, just do whatever you want and you'll get permission later.
In my opinion, this "MO" is the "abomination in the temple" that Christ warned us we would see. The abomination has come from within and is in our sanctuaries. It's not surprise that after decades of disrespecting the Eucharist, with the permission of the popes and bishops that the majority of Catholics no longer believe that "this is Jesus."
So we stay faithful - even if we are silenced.
For an in depth look at the NCW, I recommend clicking on "A critical look at the Neocatechumenal Way" in the right sidebar.
ReplyDelete