US Synod Preparation Admits: Roman Mass Most Important Issue On Liturgy

The US bishops released on September 20 a 16 pages Synod's synthesis of 178 diocesan submissions. Most of them called for the invalid ordination of women to "deacons" or "priests." This was considered as an "issue of justice" and not as a supplement to priest shortage.

Further, US Catholics lament an alleged “marginalisation” of homosexuals with formulations like, "People noted that the Church seems to prioritise doctrine over people, rules, and regulations above lived reality [=sin].”

The submissions show that “the Church is divided.” Regarding the liturgy, the "most common issue" is the celebration of the Roman Mass, “The limited access to the 1962 Missal was lamented.”

Many noticed that the differences over how to celebrate the liturgy sometimes reach the level of animosity. People on each side of the issue reported feeling judged by those who differ from them.”

700K (?) of the 70M US Catholics participated at some 30K events including online. Some diocesan reports noted a low total number of participants or a high average age.

Omaha Archdiocese reported that more than 52% of its participants were older than 50, and nearly 30% older than 65 years.

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Wilma Lopez

Sep 20, 2022

The document states:
“The Eucharist in the lives of Catholics was a significant starting point for many of the synodal
consultations. While divisions exist, many saw the Eucharist as the source of hope for greater unity
as the Body of Christ. “The liturgical and sacramental life of the Church, particularly the centrality of the Eucharist, came up continually in all the dioceses as a point of unity, essential to Catholic identity, community, and a life of faith. Participants expressed a deep desire and hunger for God. While perspectives differed on what constitutes ‘good liturgy’ and what areas need renewal or better understanding, there was universal agreement on the significance of the Eucharist in the life of the Church.”
20 Across the country, many synodal consultations expressed great joy when reflecting on the “beauty of the symbols used in the Liturgy”.
It then specifically mentioned the Latin Mass as an ‘area of division within the church’ without specifically mentioning which side causes said division, though it did mention that the deliberate limiting of the Mass was causing distress.
“Another enduring wound widely reflected in synodal consultations was the experience that the
Church is deeply divided. Participants felt this division as a profound sense of pain and anxiety. “As
one participant shared, the divisive political ideologies present in our society have seeped into all aspects of our lives.” Division regarding the celebration of the liturgy was reflected in synodal consultations. “Sadly, celebration of the Eucharist is also experienced as an area of division within the church. The most common issue regarding the liturgy is the celebration of the pre-Conciliar Mass. The limited access to the 1962 Missal was lamented; many felt that the differences over how to celebrate the liturgy “sometimes reach the level of animosity. People on each side of the issue reported feeling judged by those who differ from them.”

Wilma Lopez

Sep 20, 2022

The cover picture on the synthesis is made up. Normally there are empty pews and very old people in the Novus Ordo.

John A Cassani

Sep 20, 2022

You have to admit that it’s the right age group, though. Old ladies, for the most part, with the occasional old man.