CSL: OTHER IMPORTANT TOPICS

'LEGITIMATE VARIATIONS'

If the sections on the use of the vernacular are cautious, what the document says about variations in the liturgy is revolutionary, considering the importance attached since the Council of Trent to centralization and uniformity. Articles 37 to 40 remain the reference for those who seek a more radical inculturation, and not just in the missionary context.

• The Church has no wish to impose a rigid uniformity’ in the liturgy (37);
• there is room for ‘legitimate variations and adaptations to different groups, regions, and peoples’ as long as ‘the substantial unity of the Roman rite is preserved’ (38);
• local ecclesiastical authorities may make adaptations, including to liturgical language (39).
• If ‘an even more radical adaptation of the liturgy is needed’, they are to submit proposed changes to Rome for permission to introduce them on an experimental basis (40)

OPENING THE TREASURES OF SCRIPTURE

One of the principal aims of the liturgical reform was to enhance the place of scripture in Catholic worship. It begins boldly by recognizing the word as one of the ways in which Christ is present in the mass: ‘It is He Himself who speaks when the holy scriptures are read in the Church’ (CSL 7).

The goal is to promote a ‘warm and living love of the scriptures’ (24) through more, and more varied and suitable, readings (35).   With this in mind, ‘the treasures of the bible are to be opened up more lavishly, so that richer fare may be provided for the faithful at the table of God's word. In this way a more representative portion of the holy scriptures will be read to the people in the course of a prescribed number of years.’ (51)

IMPLEMENTATION

With a few exceptions, the CSL lays down guidelines for the reform of the liturgy rather than enacting specific measures. These principles had to be translated into reality. In the light of the requirements that the liturgical books should be revised as soon as possible and that experts from all parts of the world should be consulted (CSL 25), a Commission for the Implementation of the Reform (usually referred to by the first word of its Latin title as the Consilium)was established, with Aninibale Bugnini as secretary. Responsible directly to the pope rather than to the Congregation of Rites, it consisted of 50 or so Cardinals and about 150 experts from all over the world, and controversially included six Protestants. It began work immediately in January 1964, while the Council was still in session.