A List of Liturgical Abuses

Before Milwaukee can even deal with the Motu Proprio, we will have to address the myriad of liturgical abuses. A Hail Mary for A Catholic Mom in Hawaii for this link: Tabulation of Most Common and Serious Liturgical Abuse.

Gee, some parishes in Milwaukee do ALL of those abuses! (St. Mary's Hales Corners, anyone?!) There is barely any semblance to a Catholic mass!

Here are a few biggies:

Use of "gender neutral"/"inclusive" language in Scripture readings or Creed CIC/83 846.1 CIC/83 838

General, sacramental absolution given during the Penitential Rite during the Mass; and/or, outside of Mass, merely because,
although confessors are available, there are a large number of penitents CIC/83 961

Homily given by someone other than a Bishop, Priest, or Deacon at Mass ID element 2 ID element 3

The Creed is not said on a Sunday or Solemnity GIRM element 44

Recipe for altar bread includes ingredients other than flour and water in the dough (except in an Eastern rite parish)
ID element 8 GIRM element 282 CIC/83 926

People standing during the consecration and Eucharistic Prayer due to absence of kneelers GIRM element 21 Notitiae, 14 (1978) 302-303

One parish that I know of was using little cubes of bread for the Host, made of so many ingredients it was deemed invalid matter. That means, for 10+ years in that parish there was no mass taking place. Can you imagine if your child's First Communion fell during that 10 year period? Your deceased husband's Holy Viaticum?Invalid!

St Mary's Hales Corners used to give out the Eucharist to people in little see-through plastic envelopes--not a pyx. The priest would holler out, "Communion for the Sick!"and a small group of parishioners would come forward to shove the Eucharist into purses and pockets. No Gloria, penitential rite omitted, pastoral associate giving the Homily, (telling me that the Catholic Church allows her to do this)...the list is endless....

Terrence Berres also mentions this:

Friday, March 30, 2007

Why do we no longer kneel during the Eucharistic prayers during Ordinary time?

AJ asked this question of Father Charles Schramm on the "Ask the Pastor" page of the web site of St. Mary's Church in Hales Corners. It's a good question, given that section 43 of the GIRM [131 pp. pdf] says

In the dioceses of the United States of America, they [the Faithful] should kneel beginning after the singing or recitation of the Sanctus until after the Amen of the Eucharistic Prayer, except when prevented on occasion by reasons of health, lack of space, the large number of people present, or some other good reason. Those who do not kneel ought to make a profound bow when the priest genuflects after the consecration. ...

Fr. Schramm, however, responds

Dear AJ

This is a complex issue. In the earliest Church the posture during the Eucharistic Prayer was standing since it was considered THE posture of respect. At one of the early Councils it was decreed that "standing would be the appropriate posture from this time forward." In addition to being divinely founded the Church is also a human institution and the choice between kneeling and standing has gone back and forth. Since standing was adopted here at St. Mary's especially during the Easter Season it was decided to be consistent and continue this posture throughout the year.

If you were to worship in the Eastern Rite churches--including those in union with Rome you would find that they have retained standing as the appropriate posture during the Eucharistic Prayer.

Please note that since kneeling is a penitential posture we do incorporate it during the Penitential Rite during Lent which is considered THE penitential season of the Church year.

Hope this is helpful!

Fr. Chuck

It certainly is, though perhaps not in the way Fr. Chuck intended.***

What gets my goat is people getting hot and bothered when told about this list or the GIRM(Milwaukee Chancery anyone?). They act like its a personal attack on them and no one should suggest their parish priest is doing anything wrong. Instead of getting on their priest's case for not being faithful to his vows, it's cry and attack people who let them know what the Catholic Church expects. Can you imagine getting offended because someone told you the Catholic Church expects you to kneel?