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CONGREGATION
FOR DIVINE WORSHIP
AND THE DISCIPLINE OF THE SACRAMENT
INSTRUCTION
Redemptionis
Sacramentum
On
certain matters to be observed or to be avoided
regarding the Most Holy Eucharist
Chapter
VIII
REMEDIES
[169.] Whenever
an abuse is committed in the celebration of the sacred Liturgy, it is
to be seen as a real falsification of Catholic Liturgy. St Thomas wrote,
“the vice of falsehood is perpetrated by anyone who offers worship
to God on behalf of the Church in a manner contrary to that which is established
by the Church with divine authority, and to which the Church is accustomed”.[278]
[170.] In order that a remedy may be applied to such abuses, “there
is a pressing need for the biblical and liturgical formation of the people
of God, both pastors and faithful”,[279] so
that the Church’s faith and discipline concerning the sacred Liturgy
may be accurately presented and understood. Where abuses persist, however,
proceedings should be undertaken for safeguarding the spiritual patrimony
and rights of the Church in accordance with the law, employing all legitimate
means.
[171.] Among the various abuses there are some which are objectively graviora
delicta or otherwise constitute grave matters, as well as others which
are nonetheless to be carefully avoided and corrected. Bearing in mind
everything that is treated especially in Chapter I of this Instruction,
attention should be paid to what follows.
1.
Graviora delicta
[172.] Graviora
delicta against the sanctity of the Most August Sacrifice and Sacrament
of the Eucharist are to be handled in accordance with the ‘Norms
concerning graviora delicta reserved to the Congregation for the Doctrine
of the Faith’,[280] namely:
a) taking away or retaining the consecrated species for sacrilegious ends,
or the throwing them away;[281]
b) the attempted celebration of the liturgical action of the Eucharistic
Sacrifice or the simulation of the same;[282]
c) the forbidden concelebration of the Eucharistic Sacrifice with ministers
of Ecclesial Communities that do not have the apostolic succession nor
acknowledge the sacramental dignity of priestly Ordination;[283]
d) the consecration for sacrilegious ends of one matter without the other
in the celebration of the Eucharist or even of both outside the celebration
of the Eucharist.[284]
2.
Grave Matters
[173.] Although
the gravity of a matter is to be judged in accordance with the common
teaching of the Church and the norms established by her, objectively to
be considered among grave matters is anything that puts at risk the validity
and dignity of the Most Holy Eucharist: namely, anything that contravenes
what is set out above in nn. 48-52, 56, 76-77, 79, 91-92, 94, 96, 101-102,
104, 106, 109, 111, 115, 117, 126, 131-133, 138, 153 and 168. Moreover,
attention should be given to the other prescriptions of the Code of Canon
Law, and especially what is laid down by canons 1364, 1369, 1373, 1376,
1380, 1384, 1385, 1386, and 1398.
3.
Other Abuses
[174.] Furthermore,
those actions that are brought about which are contrary to the other matters
treated elsewhere in this Instruction or in the norms established by law
are not to be considered of little account, but are to be numbered among
the other abuses to be carefully avoided and corrected.
[175.] The things set forth in this Instruction obviously do not encompass
all the violations against the Church and its discipline that are defined
in the canons, in the liturgical laws and in other norms of the Church
for the sake of the teaching of the Magisterium or sound tradition. Where
something wrong has been committed, it is to be corrected according to
the norm of law.
4.
The Diocesan Bishop
[176.] The diocesan
Bishop, “since he is the principal dispenser of the mysteries of
God, is to strive constantly so that Christ’s faithful entrusted
to his care may grow in grace through the celebration of the sacraments,
and that they may know and live the Paschal Mystery”.[285]
It is his responsibility, “within the limits of his competence,
to issue norms on liturgical matters by which all are bound”.[286]
[177.] “Since he must safeguard the unity of the universal Church,
the Bishop is bound to promote the discipline common to the entire Church
and therefore to insist upon the observance of all ecclesiastical laws.
He is to be watchful lest abuses encroach upon ecclesiastical discipline,
especially as regards the ministry of the Word, the celebration of the
Sacraments and sacramentals, the worship of God and the veneration of
the Saints”.[287]
[178.] Hence whenever a local Ordinary or the Ordinary of a religious
Institute or of a Society of apostolic life receives at least a plausible
notice of a delict or abuse concerning the Most Holy Eucharist, let him
carefully investigate, either personally or by means of another worthy
cleric, concerning the facts and the circumstances as well as the imputability.
[179.] Delicts against the faith as well as graviora delicta committed
in the celebration of the Eucharist and the other Sacraments are to be
referred without delay to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith,
which “examines [them] and, if necessary, proceeds to the declaration
or imposition of canonical sanctions according to the norm of common or
proper law”.[288]
[180.] Otherwise the Ordinary should proceed according the norms of the
sacred canons, imposing canonical penalties if necessary, and bearing
in mind in particular that which is laid down by canon 1326. If the matter
is serious, let him inform the Congregation for Divine Worship and the
Discipline of the Sacraments.
5.
The Apostolic See
[181.] Whenever
the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments
receives at least a plausible notice of a delict or an abuse concerning
the Most Holy Eucharist, it informs the Ordinary so that he may investigate
the matter. When the matter turns out to be serious, the Ordinary should
send to the same Dicastery as quickly as possible a copy of the acts of
the inquiry that has been undertaken, and where necessary, the penalty
imposed.
[182.] In more difficult cases the Ordinary, for the sake of the good
of the universal Church in the care for which he too has a part by virtue
of his sacred Ordination, should not fail to handle the matter, having
previously taken advice from the Congregation for Divine Worship and the
Discipline of the Sacraments. For its part, this Congregation, on the
strength of the faculties given to it by the Roman Pontiff, according
to the nature of the case, will assist the Ordinary, granting him the
necessary dispensations[289] or giving him instructions
or prescriptions, which he is to follow diligently.
6.
Complaints Regarding Abuses in Liturgical Matters
[183.] In an
altogether particular manner, let everyone do all that is in their power
to ensure that the Most Holy Sacrament of the Eucharist will be protected
from any and every irreverence or distortion and that all abuses be thoroughly
corrected. This is a most serious duty incumbent upon each and every one,
and all are bound to carry it out without any favoritism.
[184.] Any Catholic, whether Priest or Deacon or lay member of Christ’s
faithful, has the right to lodge a complaint regarding a liturgical abuse
to the diocesan Bishop or the competent Ordinary equivalent to him in
law, or to the Apostolic See on account of the primacy of the Roman Pontiff.[290]
It is fitting, however, insofar as possible, that the report or
complaint be submitted first to the diocesan Bishop. This is naturally
to be done in truth and charity.
Notes
[278] St Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theol., II, 2, q. 93, a.
1.
[279] Cf. Pope John Paul II, Apostolic Letter, Vicesimus quintus annus,
n. 15: AAS 81 (1989) p. 911; cf. also Second Vatican Ecumenical Council,
Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, Sacrosanctum Concilium, nn. 15-19.
[280] Cf. Pope John Paul II, Apostolic Letter (Motu Proprio), Sacramentorum
sanctitatis tutela: AAS 93 (2001) pp. 737-739; Congregation for the Doctrine
of the Faith, Ep. ad totius Catholicae Ecclesiae Episcopos aliosque Ordinarios
et Hierarchas quorum interest: de delictis gravioribus eidem Congregationi
pro Doctrina Fidei reservatis: AAS 93 (2001) p. 786.
[281] Cf. Code of Canon Law, can. 1367; Pontifical Council for the Interpretation
of Legislative Texts, Responsio ad propositum dubium, 3 July 1999: AAS
91 (1999) p. 918; Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Ep. ad totius
Catholicae Ecclesiae Episcopos aliosque Ordinarios et Hierarchas quorum
interest: de delictis gravioribus eidem Congregationi pro Doctrina Fidei
reservatis: AAS 93 (2001) p. 786.
[282] Cf. Code of Canon Law, can. 1378 § 2 n. 1 et 1379; Congregation
for the Doctrine of the Faith, Ep. ad totius Catholicae Ecclesiae Episcopos
aliosque Ordinarios et Hierarchas quorum interest: de delictis gravioribus
eidem Congregationi pro Doctrina Fidei reservatis: AAS 93 (2001) p. 786.
[283] Cf. Code of Canon Law, can. 908 et 1365; Congregation for the Doctrine
of the Faith, Ep. ad totius Catholicae Ecclesiae Episcopos aliosque Ordinarios
et Hierarchas quorum interest: de delictis gravioribus eidem Congregationi
pro Doctrina Fidei reservatis: AAS 93 (2001) p. 786.
[284] Cf. Code of Canon Law, can. 927; Congregation for the Doctrine of
the Faith, Ep. ad totius Catholicae Ecclesiae Episcopos aliosque Ordinarios
et Hierarchas quorum interest: de delictis gravioribus eidem Congregationi
pro Doctrina Fidei reservatis: AAS 93 (2001) p. 786.
[285] Code of Canon Law, can. 387.
[286] Ibidem, can. 838 § 4.
[287] Ibidem,can. 392.
[288] Cf. Pope John Paul II, Apostolic Constitution, Pastor bonus, art.
52: AAS 80 (1988) p. 874.
[289] Cf. ibidem, n. 63: AAS 80 (1988) p. 876.
[290] Cf. ibidem, can. 1417 § 1.
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