make no mistake about it

By Diogenes ( articles ) | Dec 16, 2006

Fr. Richard McBrien explains how the liturgy got renewed (and why your opinion on the question doesn't matter):

Make no mistake about it: persistent opposition to the changes in the liturgy that were authorized by the Second Vatican Council and approved by the late Pope Paul VI has had little or nothing to do with the quality of vernacular translations and liturgical music, nor with the sometimes free-wheeling style of some presider-celebrants. It has everything to do with ecclesiology.

The basic changes in the celebration of the Mass came about because theologians, liturgical scholars, and thousands of bishops and priests broadened their vision of the Church from a primarily hierarchical institution to the People of God.

See if I have this right. In the old days, the Church was viewed as a hierarchical institution. But then things changed. In the new order, the Church is viewed as the People of God. Viewed by mechanics and waitresses and farm hands in the pews? No, by bishops, priests, liturgical scholars, and theologians. That is to say, nothing changed.

"His Eminence has decided this is the Mass that YOU prefer..."