3 Lectors Instituted at Melbourne Cathedral
On 11 June 2006 three men were instituted as lectors at St Patrick's Cathedral in Melbourne: Cameron Forbes, Chris Snell and Thanh Tran. They are 4th year seminarians at Corpus Christi College.
I think the last time I saw someone instituted as a lector at the cathedral was on 6 October 2002, when Paul Pavlou was instituted. I think the last time more than one lector was instituted there was on 27 February 2000, when I was instituted.
Perhaps the cathedral was used because the seminary has a new rector, Father Tony Ireland, who has replaced Father Michael McKenna.
Archbishop Hart's homily used the similar words required by the liturgical book, including: "You will proclaim the word in the liturgical assembly, instruct children and adults in the faith ...". There were none of the problems of the homily of 6 October 2002.
But the readings were not read by an instituted lector. Instead a women named Elthia read and a man who often reads at the cathedral. I was available. There were also more senior seminarians, such as Aurelio Fragapane. He was wearing vestments and I expect has been instituted as a lector.
So there is a failure to follow the 1981 General Introduction for the Lectionary for Mass, n. 51: "When there are instituted readers available, they are to carry out their office at least on Sundays and major feasts, especially at the principal Mass of the day."
The 2002 Roman Missal is clearer, and not being followed: "101. In the absence of an instituted lector, other laypersons may be commissioned to proclaim the readings from Sacred Scripture."
At Zenit.org Father McNamara wrote a good article this year on the issue, including:
"It is a general principle in liturgy that each one of the different ministries perform its proper role. And those who have received a ministry have, so to speak, precedence in undertaking this ministry over those who have not received this ministry or even over those who have received the sacrament of holy orders."
(The full article is at zenit.org/english/visualizza.phtml?sid=82565 )
Hopefully as more people become aware of these issues, improvements will be made.
By J.R. Lilburne, 12 June, 2006. I give what I have written on this page to the public domain.