Information service of the Pontifical Mission Societies since 1927
Maputo (Fides Service) - “We start this pastoral statement on the Celebration of the Eucharist with the words used by the disciples of Emmaus who urged the Lord to remain with them, the same words used by Pope John Paul II at the beginning of his Apostolic Letter for the Year of the Eucharist “Stay with us Lord!”. The Catholic Bishops of Mozambique wrote in a recent Pastoral Statement based on the Apostolic Letter “Mane nobiscum Domine”, which affirms “The Eucharist is a great mystery! And it is one which above all must be well celebrated. Holy Mass needs to be set at the centre of the Christian life and celebrated in a dignified manner by every community, in accordance with established norms, with the participation of the assembly, with the presence of ministers who carry out their assigned tasks, and with a serious concern that singing and liturgical music be suitably “sacred”.” (Mane nobiscum Domine, 17)
The Bishops said the Second Vatican Council gave new impulse to liturgical celebrations in Mozambqie promoting active participation of the laity and the start of a process of adaptation and inculturation in the field of liturgy. They recalled that Bishops are responsible for the liturgy of the Church and as such they have followed this process with attention to ensure that liturgical renewal serves to strengthen the faith of Christians. However they lament unfortunate cases of abuse or mistaken interpretations of creativity which have caused much suffering. This abuse is seen in the manner of celebration, choice of vestments, manner liturgical dancing, exercise of ministries, loss of the sense of the sacred, use of songs not properly liturgical, failure to act in accordance will established liturgical norms. The Pastoral Statement was drafted after several years of investigating the situation and study and with it the Bishops intend to “encourage efforts to ensure that the principles of liturgical renewal is properly applied in our dioceses and that our liturgies are actions of beauty and unity”.
The Bishops dwelt on aspects of liturgical adaptation and inculturation: that is adapting the Roman Rite to Mozambican culture; translation of liturgical texts which demands theological-liturgical expertise, knowledge of the original language and the language into which the text must me translated; music and hymns, essential elements of the liturgy must be in keeping with the Mystery celebrated; gestures and attitudes of the body should help to render the liturgy beautiful, noble in its simplicity, able to express the meaning of the liturgy, adapted to the local culture but without exaggeration; priests and other persons carrying out a ministry must wear liturgical vestments in keeping with established norms. Lastly they recall that the competent Authority for approving any adaptation is the national Bishops’ Conference and the local Bishop with regard to his own diocese.
In the third and final part of the statement the Bishops focus on the Revised Adaptations to the Institutio generalis Missalis Romani which regard the celebration of Mass as well as preparations and attitude of the faithful… The Bishops conclude thanking all who strive to make the liturgy alive, beautiful and participated because “Christian communities draw life from the liturgical celebration of the Mass and Celebrations of the Word”. This task is immense and calls for the assistance of the Spirit and collaboration of all. However the Church in Mozambique must not fall behind on the path of liturgical renewal and inculturation, “in order to reach to the destination prepared by God, the celebration of the Heavenly Liturgy”. (S.L.) (Agenzia Fides 23/9/2005, righe 45, parole 619)
