Bishop Slattery's cappa magna

[hedgehog]

About 23% of Americans consider themselves Catholics. Another 10% consider themselves former Catholics.The Catholic Church today is becoming more and more divided between those who support Vatican I (papal infallibility, preservation of old customs, Latin Mass) and those who support Vatican II (collegiality, continuous reform, vernacular prayers). In general terms, we're talking Right Wing Conservatives against Left Wing Liberals. Like it or not, what happens next in the Catholic Church has electoral consequences for the US.

Saturday, those who support Vatican I had an exquisite celebration as Bishop Slattery of Tulsa, Oklahoma celebrated a Solemn Pontifical Mass at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception. The Mass featured multiple Latin choirs, dozens of male altar servers, oodles of incense; the whole nine yards. Literally; the whole nine yards as just about every report and blog I've seen on the event mentioned Bishop Slattery's cappa magna. This is a cape made of red watered silk that Bishop Slattery wore upon entering the basilica. Estimates of the cape's length ranged from 25 feet to 25 yards! Vatican I supporters swooned over this garment; Vatican II supporters were absolutely appalled and disgusted.


Those who support Vatican II also took note that Bishop Slattery was a last minute stand-in for a cardinal who has become embroiled in the pedophilia cover-up.

Here's a link with a brief description of the event and a series of comments that give a good feel for the variety of reactions:

http://ncronline.org/news/faith-parish/dc-liturgy-cappa-magna-glorious-music-latin-glitches

As the hierarchy forces a return to Vatican I,a small number of reactionary Catholics will rejoice. Many more will walk away from Church completely. Others of us will find a third way. We will remain Catholics, just not Papists. We in the Catholic Church depend on symbols for communication as much or more so than words. Based on the reactions I've read, Bishop Slattery's cappa magna may one day be as important a turning point as the 95 theses Martin Luther nailed to the Wittenburg church door.

[Ken Burch]

1. "You're goin' in there a bishop-but you've gotta come out a STAR!"

Archbishop Warner Baxter's last pep talk to Bishop "Ruby Keeler" Slattery.

[brendan120678]

2. Our parish offers a weekly Latin Mass...

I've attended it occasionally. While I generally prefer the "current" form of the Roman Mass, there is still something breathtaking and exquisite about the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite.

[hedgehog]

4. The problem is that how we worship depends on our image of God.

Last Sunday, we had a baptism, so Mass ran a little long. Not a single person left early. Everyone enjoyed welcoming the baby, and no one minded when Father missed a few lines in one of the prayers. He laughed at his mistake, so did the rest of us and I'm certain Jesus did, too. We're serious about our faith, but our faith is in a God of Love. It was like a casual family get-together full of respect but not fear. Everyone went home smiling.

Now, what kind of God has to be propitiated with special language, gold candlesticks, lace and satin on the priest and no women or lay person anywhere near the sanctuary? Some people have a sentimental attachment to the Latin, but most of those pushing for a return to the Latin Mass want a very different Church than the one I was with Sunday. Check out these links to get a feel for what I'm talking about:


http://www.sspx.org/

http://www.newliturgicalmovement.org/

[foxfeet]

3. I love his drag, but his purse is on fire.