Questions Regarding Orthodoxy in Celebration of Mass

by Bishop David Foley

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In the course of my episcopal ministry as bishop of Birmingham in Alabama, I have encountered some difficulty with a number of assertions which appear to me to be seriously misleading to priests and laity alike. I would be grateful if the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments would provide some clarification on these matters.

The first question regards the orientation of the priest celebrant when he is at the altar celebrating Mass. Certain individuals and groups have maintained that of the two positions which are permitted to the celebrant by current liturgical law—facing the people (versus populum) or facing the apse, away from the people (ad orientem), the second (ad orientem) is a theologically preferable or a more orthodox choice for a priest who wishes to be true to the church's authentic tradition. I disagree with the arguments advanced in support of this stance, which has been thrust upon my diocese.

The second question regards the four eucharistic prayers introduced into the Roman rite by Pope Paul VI. The assertion has been made that only the Roman Canon is really orthodox. They assert that the other eucharistic prayers are heterodox or at least of dubious theological, liturgical or ecclesial value. They urge that, in the light of the perceived inadequacy of the other eucharistic prayers, the priest celebrant always use the Roman Canon, whether he celebrates in Latin or in the approved vernacular. Once again, I have serious questions and concerns regarding this assertion.

I would be grateful if Your Eminence could provide an authoritative clarification on these most contentious matters.

Confident of your pastoral solicitude for the good people of Birmingham in Alabama, and with grateful prayers for your ministry to the universal church, I remain sincerely in Christ.

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