the dangers of disruption

By ( articles ) | May 14, 2004

If you glance at the program of the Religious Education 2004 Congress over which Los Angeles Cardinal Roger Mahony presided, you'll find a virtual strip mall of boutique Eucharistic offerings. There's a Hawaiian-theme liturgy and a Hispanic-theme liturgy and a Nigerian-theme liturgy and a Vietnamese-theme liturgy and a Young Adult-theme liturgy and a Contemplative-theme liturgy -- every variant, apparently, except a Calvary theme. Of course this is the diocese that introduced to its cathedral a 50-foot dancing dragon "to ward off evil spirits and usher in good fortune in the Chinese New Year."

So how does Cardinal Mahony respond to the draft of a revised translation of the Roman Missal?

"The last thing our people need is to now disrupt the liturgy, which has been a source of nourishment and strength during this difficult journey."

Words fail me.

[photo shows worshipers nourished and strengthened by the Closing Liturgy of the 1999 RE Congress]