Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Public Spat and a Papal Correction

I am intrigued Abp Mueller has written to Abp Robert Zollitsch, the letter was date 11 November, about the guidelines for the pastoral care of separated, divorced and civilly remarried people, the letter is interesting in itself but more intriguing is that there is a tension between the Prefect of the CDF and Cardinal Reinhard Marx of the Pope's Council of Eight who said a few days earlier. “The Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith cannot stop the discussions” about the issue of remarried divorcees – as well as other questions relating to the family – which will be addressed at the Extraordinary Synod in 2014.

In the past such spats would have been dealt with in an Italian way, by discreet notes, or rather delicately expressed courtly meetings over between secretaries over lunch, now they are made public.

Speaking of things being made public one of these people has read or been informed of the Ceremonial of Bishops art. 107, the other has obviously not!


CE 107 says: “Hands joined” means: “Holding the palms sideward and before the breast, with the right thumb crossed over the left”” The server is correct the Pope is wrong, unless this change has been made Pope as Supreme Legislator, 'everywhere and for all time'.

18 comments:

Codgitator (Cadgertator) said...

Honey Badger Pope.

Genty said...

I suppose it's possible that Francis was indicating to the boy that palms are joined when on the sanctuary but not elsewhere. What's intriguing is that either the pontiff has piled on some weight or that's a bullet-proof vest he's wearing.
Perhaps protecting himself from the internecine spats?

Long-Skirts said...

Fr. Blake said:

"The server is correct the Pope is wrong"

That was weird...poor, dear little Altar boy.

Long-Skirts said...

FIVE SONS

Today five sons
Served on the altar
Determined boys
Who would not falter.

Boys at home
Who fight and shove
But on the altar
Assist with love.

At home shouting
From top of lung
On the altar
Latin’s sung.

At home running
Can’t sit still
On the altar
Disciplined will.

At home throwing
Cereal, toast
On the altar
Adoring Host.

At home bedrooms
Scattered scene
On the altar
Order, serene.

I proud mother
Faithful to Rome
Five sons on the altar
Five men at home.

Nicolas Bellord said...

As far as I can see the servers hands remained joined after whatever the Pope said or did to him. I do not see one can draw any conclusions from this!

GOR said...

Re the thumbs - and pace rubrical niceties - I think it is more a matter of what one is used to. I have always had left thumb over right with hands joined.

Of course in my few attempts at boxing I always led with the right - though I’m right handed.

Maybe I’m just all thumbs…

Long-Skirts said...

Nicolas Bellord said...

"As far as I can see the servers hands remained joined after whatever the Pope said or did to him. I do not see one can draw any conclusions from this!"

Look again, the Pope definitely pulls the boy's hands apart and says, "Ahhhh" as if that's better...tragic.

RIO

He couldn't stop
The Prelates' prance
But folded hands
He eyed askance.

epsilon said...

Whatever else, kissing these altar boys on the cheek is unnecessary and invasive, and pulling the boy's hands apart is humiliating for the boy and very uncomfortable viewing:(

If he did that to any kid in a UK school, they would soon tell him where to go - I can't say I'd blame them!

We'll done to the altar boy for joining his hands again straight away!

John Nolan said...

Funnily enough, if you're right-handed the natural thing to do is to put left thumb over right. To comply with the rubric takes conscious effort.

nickbris said...

When I was taught to serve by Dela Salle Brothers we had to know the responses perfectly and where to be on the Sanctuary,the rest of what is being discussed now will be a mystery to most of us

Martina Katholik said...

According to romereports the Pope said this to him:

“Are your hands bound together? It looks like they're stuck.”

http://www.romereports.com/palio/pope-francis-visits-vatican-grottoes-to-pray-for-deceased-pontiffs-english-11518.html#.UoOTmxpdPqV

Nicolas Bellord said...

Thanks for that Martina. So it was just a bit of light-hearted banter or a tease and nothing more. Certainly not something that we need to agonise over. Lets relax!

Long-Skirts said...

Nicolas Bellord said...

"Thanks for that Martina. So it was just a bit of light-hearted banter or a tease and nothing more"

No, that was a cut. Silly little Catholic Altar boy showing piety! Just like those many silly Catholics praying their many little rosaries.

Long-Skirts said...


“Are your hands bound together? It looks like they're stuck.”

“solemn nonsense.”

Our Lady of Good Success-pray for us. said...

what happened to, 'who am I to judge?'

Lynda said...

A "tease" by the Pope of a young altar boy is not to be taken lightly. Of course it was a disapproving slight; if he wanted to encourage and praise the boy, he would not have said that. I hope it does not have a lasting effect on the boy.

Православный физик said...

Poor little altar boy...taught well and correctly :D

Anne said...

Fr. Ray please keep in your prayers a new Confraternity of Catholic Clergy in Ireland which was initiated by Fr. Gerard Deighan of the Latin Mass Chaplaincy in Dublin. It is wonderful to hear that a Confraternity has been started here at long last. Any Priest, Bishop or Deacon interested in joining can email ccceire@gmail.com

God bless you.

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