Hindu “Mass” Sparks Violent Altercation in Toronto Churchyard

Catholic Family News ^ | Cornelia R. Ferreira

[B-Chan]

That's because there is only one Church. All Christians are Catholic, whether they accept that fact or not. Those Christians who are members of schismatic sects (denominations, whatever) are still part of the Body of Christ; they are, sadly, its separated members. But we will all be one Body in the end. There will come a day when, to all appearances, the Enemy has won. The majority of Christians will be fooled by the Enemy's final power play and they will create a false religion that will turn this world into hell. The remnant of Christianity will gather behind the Bishop of Rome and, back to back, will face the foe together -- and for the last time. When the Battle at the End of the World comes, the Body of Christ will stand united under the Sign of the Cross -- and triumph. In hoc signo vincite!.

[kentuckycatholiceye]

I couldn't tell if this was a satire so I did some investigating. I did a Google search for 'Indian Order of Eucharistic Celebration' and came up with http://www.vatican.va/news_services/liturgy/documents/ns_lit_doc_05111999_new-delhi_en.html
I was really surprised!! This was a Mass celebrated by JPII.
Adaptations for India:

The Mass at the Stadium will have three Indian dances. Two win be at the entrance. The first will be a tribal dance leading the priests and bishops to the podium before the arrival of the Holy Father.

The second will be a prayer dance leading the Cardinals after the arrival of the Pope into the Stadium.

The third will be an offertory dance leading the persons with the offertory gifts to the altar.

At the Doxology when the Holy Father takes the chalice and paten with the host, the Aarati, which is a sign of veneration, will be performed by a group of young ladies. The Aarati will consist of the following: Pushpa arati, waving a tray of flowers with deepak (light) in the center and the showering of flower petals; Dhupa Aarati—the homage of incense; Deepa Aarati—the homage of light, waving of camphor fire and the ringing of the bell.

[Kolokotronis]

" Look, you're either in communion with Rome, or not. If not, you don't have the right to call yourself Catholic."

That's a bit broad, isn't it? The Roman Church is only one of the particular churches within the Catholic Church and I think you will find that +BXVI has been quite clear that the Orthodox Churches are quite Catholic though Rome is in schism with them. Unfortunately, syncretism seems to be spreading in the Roman Church, not only in liturgics, but also in its theology. I recently finished reading a book about modern African Roman Catholic theology. I think the name of it is "The Face of Christ in Africa" or something like that. Frankly it was more than a little scary. One of the concerns which Orthodoxy has with Rome is this syncretism which seems to have reached something of a peak since Vatican II. I know the hope of our Orthodox theologians is that +BXVI is gradually rolling it back.

[muawiyah]

I had thought Rome was interested in getting in communion with the traditional Indian Christian church(es).

Sounds like some of the laity are not happy with that idea. Of course that's never stopped Rome has it?!

[muawiyah]

Frankly, I thought we'd all end up backing the Bishop of Dublin, but ...... Well, anyway.

[muawiyah]

Yup, never gonna' find those Orthodos "syncritizing" with anybody else ~ or each other!!!

[madprof98]

. . . obviously, it wasn't a Mass

Obvious to whom? The article is frankly so hysterical that it is almost impossible to glean any facts from it, but as best I can tell, this was a Catholic mass featuring aspects of Indian culture - and it had been approved by the bishops of India. You should go to mass in Africa sometime!

[trisham]

Besides, didn't David "dance before the Lord"?

*************

I didn't realize David was Catholic.

[NYer]

I don't believe any authority in any of the various Christian churches in the world has ever denied that Thomas' Christians were Christians. No doubt there are ceremonies (and some beliefs) with which they don't agree, but the fundamental legitimacy hasn't been attacked. If so, maybe you can dig it up for us.

The "Thomas" Catholic Christians are found in the Syro Malankara Catholic Church. A few weeks ago, a visiting bishop from the Syro Malankara Catholic Church celebrated their Divine Liturgy on EWTN. There was no dancing. Women dressed in saris chanted the responses throughout the liturgy. It is one of the oldest liturgies in the Catholic Church, filled with great reverence. The entire liturgy is celebrated 'ad orientem'.

What was celebrated in St. Ann's in Toronto is a blasphemy and should be reported to Cardinal Arinze, immediately. Those involved in its preparation and celebration, should be brought to repentance or excommunicated.

[Aquinasfan]

didn't David "dance before the Lord"?

In the Temple?

[Aquinasfan]

If its not biblical, its not Christianity

Where's that in the Bible?

Maybe you mean to say that if something is proscribed in the New Testament, then it isn't Christianity?

[Aquinasfan]

one group of Catholics declaring the other group to be apostates, or whatever.

Apples and oranges. Liturgy either follows the Church's liturgical norms (General Instruction of the Roman Missal) or it doesn't.

Protestantism has no similar authority, only each individual Protestant's interpretation of the Bible.

[muawiyah]

Previous to the building of the first Temple by David's son Solomon, the Jews used a tabernacle ~ a temporary structure ~ to serve the purposes of a temple. In fact the Temple was simply a more permanent tabernacle.

The Ark of the Covenant was hauled around from place to place. It took a place of honor in the tabernacles or in the temples. David literally danced before the Ark of the Covenant. He did it with groups of people, and alone.

Anyway, I said David "danced before the Lord" as one translation has it, not that he "danced in the Temple" because there was no Temple, and the Ark was on the way to Jerusalem.

Given that David actually prophesied Jesus' final moments I'll take David's example as sufficient for the purpose of proving that dancing is acceptable in the eyes of God.

[muawiyah]

Which, as it happens, is not so. Protestants, like Catholics, are directed in the Bible to come to conclusions about scripture in groups.

[Antoninus]

Anyway, I said David "danced before the Lord" as one translation has it, not that he "danced in the Temple" because there was no Temple, and the Ark was on the way to Jerusalem.

I think you may be catching on. Show me someone dancing in the Holy of Holies at the Temple, or at the Last Supper or on Calvary and maybe I'll admit you have a point.

[Aquinasfan]

Which, as it happens, is not so. Protestants, like Catholics, are directed in the Bible to come to conclusions about scripture in groups.

2 Peter 3:16

His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.

Matthew 18:16-20

"If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over. But if he will not listen, take one or two others along, so that 'every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.' If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church; and if he refuses to listen even to the church, treat him as you would a pagan or a tax collector.

1 Timothy 3:15

if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God's household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.

[muawiyah]

And your point is?

[muawiyah]

I assume you are providing some of the admonitions in that regard, right? The other day we had a Freeper post what looked to be a dozen such admonitions.