strictly limited

By Diogenes ( articles ) | Jul 07, 2005

The working document that will guide discussion at the October meeting of the Bishops' Synod, which is focused on the Eucharist, decries serious abuses in the liturgy.

But the Vatican document--prepared after consultation with the world's bishops-- assures us that these abuses "should not lead to great alarm, since they seem to be limited."

Limited in number, yes; I noticed "only" a half-dozen liturgical abuses the last time I visited the local parish. Limited in time and space, too; it would be an exaggeration to say that liturgical abuse occurs semper et ubique.

All human actions are limited. But right now, where I live, respect for liturgical norms is a lot more "limited" than the abuse of those norms. If the Synod can propose a way to remedy that situation, we'll all be better off.