Liturgy Wars: Stop arguing and start persuading
Yesterday, U.S. Catholic magazine posted an article about the alleged need for a new translation of the Mass that uses more “inclusive” language.
On the surface, this is yet another installment of the never-ending liturgy wars.
But this latest flare-up reveals that the progressive side of the argument is fueled by ignorance.
To move forward, we should stop trying to inform our opponents and instead persuade the people on the fence.
The Threefold Ignorance
Many of these “reformers-of-a-certain-age” (I’ve been told “boomer” is offensive) were sold a lie. They view the Church through the lens of building the “Great Society” and believe it will only survive if it is overhauled.
This belief is fueled by a threefold ignorance.
First, they are ignorant of the youth. They truly believe “the youth” want inclusive language. The fallacy is that the “wrong” young people want it. Social progressives want the Church to change, not because they intend to join, but because they want it defeated. The young people actually looking for the Church are seeking a place that is not like the world.
Second, they are ignorant of what Vatican II actually said. They rely on the “para-council”—lied to by priests and malefactors who told them the Council confirmed their biases. These reformers have had sixty years to read Sacrosanctum Concilium faithfully, but they have chosen not to.
Third, they are ignorant of the purpose of the liturgy. They believe we change the liturgy to represent us better, suggesting that the belief of the people—not the priest—consecrates the Eucharist. That is the opposite of the truth. The liturgy exists to conform us to Christ.
I say they are ignorant not to let them off the hook. Many of them are ignorant on purpose, either ignoring teaching that contradicts their opinions or not looking for it at all.
This type of ignorance can’t be fixed with “information.”
Tradition Has Already Won
The good news is that these reformers are “of a certain age,” and their ideas are dying with them. This U.S. Catholic survey only had 89 respondents. For a national magazine, that clearly indicates that nobody cares.
The vast consensus of faithful Catholics is that we need tradition.
This was inevitable for two reasons: First, the reformers did not pass on their ideas; those young people left the Church, so the ideas will die with them. Second, tradition is stronger than any trend. It carries the weight of the “democracy of the dead.”
The movement will win in the end, whether through the force of beauty or simply through time and patience.
How to win: Persuade the audience, not the person
It is a fool’s errand to try to convince these reformers.
Instead, we must engage them to convince the audience. Faithful Catholics ought to engage so that listeners can hear the flimsiness of the “reformer” position.
Let’s look at two examples from the survey: Louise, a 77-year-old from California, and Father Stephen, a 75-year-old from Ohio.
Louise claimed that young people are offended by male references.
I am concerned about our future church becoming irrelevant to our future generations who are offended by old traditions of using male references to God and/or all people. — Louise, 77, California
If Louise shows up at your Parish Council meeting, ask her: “That is an interesting concern, Louise. Which young people in our parish told you they were leaving because of non-inclusive language?”
A follow-up conversation will reveal her concern is likely not the youth at all—she is personally offended by the phrase “mankind.”
Father Stephen lamented living with young priests who care about “little changes” which add “nothing substantial.”
I live with two younger conservative priests who do not respect my liturgical style and insist upon little changes in the liturgy that add nothing substantial to the celebration. Even the addition of one word changed in the prayers sets them off. – Fr. Stephen, 75, Ohio
My question to him would be: “If the changes are so little and add nothing substantial, why do them at all?”
Don’t let him escape. A change can’t be made for no reason; find out what his real reason is.
The Path Forward
The traditionalist movement has been lacking persuasiveness. Many engage in “anti-persuasion”—hammering their position so aggressively that it causes people on the fence to side with their opponent.
Traditional Catholics have been engaging in anti-persuasion for so long that they’ve lost a lot of the normal middle, who see the debate as a waste of time.
I want the Novus Ordo to become more traditional. But the way to do that is not lectures on Tra Le Sollecitudini. The way to persuade is to engage charitably, asking questions that reveal the weaknesses of the progressive position.
Tradition will win.
The only question is how fast we get to the finish line.
I wrote a book to help you get to that finish line faster.
It takes a long time, but good things take time.
Get “Save Your Parish” here:
I was in the sacristy in conversation with the sacristan about heaven, and said to him: "Jesus will call you by your first name when you get there." Two nuns just entered and responded. She will call you by your name." I raised my voice and said, "Don't take away His humanity! Jesus is a Man and always will be." At the next parish dinner I was not invited!