Journal
1231 K Sat 6 Oct 2001
I have been doing a lot of thinking this morning -- mainly about instituted lectors and the Tribunal decision. There is a meeting at present, of bishops at the Vatican. I have been reading some of extracts from their speeches. Here is what I think needs to be said.
According to our 1981 Lectionary for Mass, n. 51: "The reader's ministry, which is conferred through a liturgical rite, must be held in respect. 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." Does each bishop ensure this happens? If the lector's ministry is not held in respect, how can we expect the bishop's ministry to be? If bishops are not ensuring that this is done in their public liturgies, how can they have any credibility in correcting others? There is no point in us talking about new ideas for collegiality if we are not prepared to follow the laws we already have.
Is anyone else saying this? I hope so. This was the issue I was hoping the Tribunal Case would correct. But with the Appeal unsuccessful, it only seems to have given me a better appreciation of the seriousness of the problem. As I heard Cardinal George say, "What are you going to do about it?" I am trying to work out an answer.
Copyright J.R. Lilburne, 6 October 2001.