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PDF versionHumpty Dumpty in the Vatican
Asians have their own troubles with Mass translations
Dec. 22, 2009
Fr. William Grimm
Commentary
TOKYO -- In Through the Looking Glass, Lewis Carroll’s sequel to Alice in Wonderland, Alice meets Humpty Dumpty.
“When I use a word,” Humpty Dumpty said in rather a scornful tone, “it means just what I choose it to mean -- neither more nor less.”
“The question is,” said Alice, “whether you can make words mean so many different things.”
“The question is,” said Humpty Dumpty, “which is to be master -- that’s all.”
The egg-man is convinced that whatever nonsense he utters makes sense because he says it does.
Pope Benedict XVI’s offer to allow Anglicans who enter into communion with the Catholic church to continue to use many of their liturgical traditions reminded me of this scene.
Commenting on the offer, Cardinal William Levada, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, said, “Insofar as these traditions express in a distinctive way the faith that is held in common, they are a gift to be shared in the wider church. The unity of the church does not require a uniformity that ignores cultural diversity, as the history of Christianity shows.”
As I read those words, I had a vision of Humpty Dumpty wearing a galero, the traditional headdress of a cardinal, and jostling other egg-men as they waddled through curial corridors at the Vatican.
Despite what the cardinal says, the recent history of Catholic Christianity shows that for the Vatican, “the unity of the church” precisely “require[s] a uniformity that ignores cultural diversity.”
The church in Japan and the rest of Asia is preparing new Mass translations. The rule that Rome has issued for this work is that Asian Catholics must celebrate a Western liturgy using literal translations of a Latin text as well as gestures that come from a Mediterranean cultural context.
So, Japanese bishops have had to argue repeatedly against reinserting the kissing of the altar into the liturgy here. In Japan, the kiss is a sexual gesture, not one of reverence as it sometimes is in European countries. Yet, the Roman insistence on uniformity has made even that little recognition of cultural diversity a struggle. It appears that since sex enters the picture, the curial officials involved have finally agreed to back down and allow some form of bow instead.
The response to the greeting, “The Lord be with you,” presents another difficulty. The Latin text that must be translated literally is, “Et cum spiritu tuo” (“And with your spirit”).
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However, there is no Japanese equivalent to the Latin word spiritus. The only words that come remotely close mean “spook” or a word that is usually used in a hypernationalistic way about “the Japanese spirit.” The curial response to native Japanese speakers who try to point out that difficulty has been that they just do not know their own language well enough.
The problems are not limited to Japan. The church in India, for example, faces the same frustrations in trying to develop a way for Indian Catholics to actually experience that “the unity of the church does not require a uniformity that ignores cultural diversity.”
In 1659, the predecessor to the Congregation for the Evangelization of Peoples issued an instruction for mission in Asia.
“Make no endeavor and in no way persuade these people to change their rites, habits and mores as long as these are not very manifestly contrary to religion and good mores. Indeed, what would be more absurd than to introduce Gaul, Spain, Italy or some other part of Europe to China? Bring not these things but the faith, which neither rejects nor harms the rites and customs of any nation provided they are not perverse, but which rather desires them to remain intact.
“And because it is almost the nature of men to prefer in estimation and love their own things, and especially their own nation, to things that belong to others, there exists no cause of hatred and alienation more poignant than the tampering with native customs, above all, of those which men have grown accustomed to from the memory of their forefathers. Especially is this true when you substitute and bring in the mores of your own country in place of those you have removed. Therefore never interchange the practices of these people with European practices; rather with great diligence become accustomed to their practices.”
It appears that the curia in “the bad old days” was more open-minded than it is today.
However, it does no good to simply gripe about curial officials. After all, they are bureaucrats, and so perhaps it is natural for them to be as insensitive as Humpty Dumpty toward those who seem to misunderstand “which is to be master.”
The bigger problem, perhaps, is right here in Asia, with our bishops, our clergy and our laypeople. Are we too willing to defer to those bureaucrats?
There is a myth in the churches of Asia that confrontation is not the Asian style. Only people who do not pay attention to the daily news can believe such nonsense. When Asian people feel aggrieved they are fully capable of fighting back.
In the matter of liturgy as in much else, might it be time for us to nudge Humpty Dumpty off his wall?
[Maryknoll Fr. William Grimm is the former editor in chief of Katorikku Shimbun, Japan’s Catholic weekly. This commentary first appeared with UCA News.]
The messy pontificate of B16
The messy pontificate of B16 grinds on.
This is 2009, not 1659. What
This is 2009, not 1659. What is relevant is how the Japanese worshipped as Catholics prior to Vatican II. The point being that they are already used to the western culture in worship. So the question of "inculturation" itself is something of a myth.
"So the question of
"So the question of 'inculturation' itself is something of a myth."
So the world's bishops got it wrong forty-plus years ago?
I --- don't --- think --- so.
Then you are less familiar
Then you are less familiar with the full cultural mores of Asian cultures than you may think you are. But most importantly, you miss the point of the article entirely. Liturgies of the Eucharist have never, ever had to be "uniform" according to what any pope or curia desires - until now. It is a clear reflection of how Benedict XVI has a vision of the Church that is his own, idiosyncratic view that is unaware of, and/or insensitive to, that the rest of the world does not necessarily share his way of thinking (or not thinking). He is, in many ways, like the last President Bush: simply so out of touch with the realities of the world and its people. And, like Bush, Benedict is going to leave a Church in shambles.
Spoken like someone with all
Spoken like someone with all the multicultural awareness and sensitivity of Kelly Osborne's serialized TV disaster "TURNING JAPANESE," (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tnrNK-wZ5S0) and whose only knowledge of Japan comes from Tom Cruise's "THE LAST SAMURAI" and Bill Murray's "LOST IN TRANSLATION." Quick, send your resume to VOX CLARA, I hear they're hiring....
Clarification: This response
Clarification:
This response was directed to the trumpeter (cf. supra) NOT the author of this insightful article.
Rather, what is relevant is
Rather, what is relevant is that something less than 1% of the Japanese people profess Christianity in 2009/2010 -- perhaps a lower percentage than in 1659. A large point of using the vernacular is evangelization, but "vernacular" includes more than just words, and in any case the words must be truly idiomatic in the language, not some foreign import.
Japan was sealed off from
Japan was sealed off from non-Japanese and Christian influence in 1644 (after the Shimbara revolt) so its hard to know statistics from 1659. In any case, around 1600, it is estimated there were 300,000 baptized Catholics in Japan - a very significant portion of the population - which partly explains the Shogun's fear as he was not a Christian. [Although Catechisms were prepared in Japanese the Mass and sacrments were offered in Latin. Even when priests were exterminated by the government, the laity continued to baptize with a Latin formula.]
Meanwhile, the question of language should not be an either or proposition either demanding all native words or demanding transliterating foreign words. Cultures that have been Christianized can offer something to cultures yet to be Christianized and so foreign words (and even phrases - look how English has been enriched by Hebraic literal phrases (ex. arise and shine; apple of my eye, flesh of my flesh etc.) are not bad. So, while it is important to try to use native terms, sometimes there is no native term for a revealed concept and new ones must be invented or borrowed. Both Latin and Greek speaking Christians borrowed from Hebrew. Latins borrowed from the Greeks. English speakers borrowed from Latin - or do you insist on saying "Holy Ghost" rather than "Holy Spirit?"
The hubris and insularity of
The hubris and insularity of the statement, "The curial response to native Japanese speakers who try to point out that difficulty [there is no Japanese equivalent to the Latin word "spiritus"] has been that they just do not know their own language well enough," is amazing.
Is the purpose of the push toward stylistically inelegant but faithfully literal translations to appease the SPX crowd or the "sede vacante" proponenets? Until they get their Latin back, whether they can understand the language or not, thet will be displeased by half measures.
Trumpeter, your comment makes
Trumpeter, your comment makes absolutely no sense and is ignorant of both Church history and Catholic theology.
I started to craft a lengthier, more reasoned response to what you wrote, but then remembered it's a waste of time to reason with a fool -- and you are a fool!
Indeed, words, customs and
Indeed, words, customs and gestures have different meanings in different times and cultures. Also, words, gestures and customs in one culture may be meaningless in another culture. Anyone who has any knowledge of foreign languages, customs and cultures and their histories, will know this. Therefore, the philosophical, cultural and linguistic tools that have been left to us by the ancient Greeks and Romans, while significant, should never be universally, uniformly and exclusively applied. The men at the Vatican and their sycophants (from the Greek and Latin, with reference to persons showing a fig!), are misguided and foolish in expecting and/or demanding the universal and exclusive use of literal translations of culturally foreign and ancient languages.
Like the Innuit said, "I really don't know what you are talking about! What is a fig?"
Lets really turn the clock
Lets really turn the clock back.
Vatican II ran from 1962 to 1965. A mere 10 years before, I remember my parents fasting from midnight in order to receive communion.
After changing to a 3 hour fast and then changing again to a 1 hour fast there is still the question, is the fast to be one hour before the service starts or one hour before the host is placed on the tongue. So the practical answer for most of today's practicing Catholics is that as long as you are not chewing food as you enter the church, you can go to communion.
So If we need to make a significant change to go back to the good old days, let us reinstate the requirement of Fasting From Midnight.
So that would effectively change mass schedules to elimintae all masses after noon on Sunday. I'm not so clear on how vigil masses on Saturday started, but they have to go. That's not the way we used to do things in the old days.
Midnight Mass means Midnight not 8:00PM, but that will be taken care of just by reinstating the Fasting from Midnight.
I'm sure with more reflection we can come up with another dozen or so things that could be reinstated. Sack clothe and ashes instead of 3 Our Fathers and 3 Hail Marys would really be a step backwards.
What was the name of that group that used to run around Spain really making people toe the line? Give me another minute and I'll remember their name.
Dominus Vobiscum
RJ
Oh, you mean the ones who
Oh, you mean the ones who murdered 7000 priests and clergy (a fifth of all Spanish clergy), and 3000 religious, forced Catholics to swallow their rosary beads,threw them down mine shafts, etc, and destroyed churches and synagogues etc, etc?
That'd be the Republicans, socialists, and communists. Makes one wonder what would have happened if they had won the civil war, doesn't it?
It seems that if some
It seems that if some Japanese and Indians (et al)are have translation and/or interperatation problems. Those same problems need to be adressed. Perhaps one or more knowledgeable and faithful priests who live in those areas might instruct, counsel, and guide those who are wanting in this deficiency? It is not present to my memory that I was born with the knowledge of Adam, Eve, Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses, Esther, Daniel, Ruth The Maccabees, etc.... and their traditions, history, customs, etc..., down to the day of the manifestation of Our Blessed Lord's appearance among men. Fortunately there was no dearth of teachers to instruct me in those things. Even, as a matter of fact, their different languages.I still have'nt learned them all. And upon the completion of those chapters in salvation history, And even after learning all those things they taught me more of the growth of His Church from its infancy to the present in all different lands, languages, cultures and times. Even today the teaching still gets through for those who have ears to hear. As a matter of fact I am still learning! And I'm just a dumb fireman!. Don't forget two things; we have the rest of eternity to learn all of this, and to pray for our brothers, sisters and ourselves to come to the fullness of this endless knowledge. Glory be to God for all things!
"Nobody cares … nowadays that
"Nobody cares … nowadays that Christ was 'scourged, railed upon, buffeted, mocked and crucified,' because all those words have grown hypnotic with ecclesiastical use. But it does give people a slight shock to be shown that God was flogged, spat upon, called dirty names, slugged on the jaw, insulted with vulgar jokes, and spiked up on the gallows like an owl on a barn-door." Dorothy Sayers.
The Word Incarnate shouldn't be forced into a false Latinized language. Jesus spoke a dynamic Aramaic. Making Him intelligible to today's world by using culturally appropriate language and gestures isn't relativism, it's making the good news understandable as good news.
Amen!
Amen!
Yes, in many circumstances
Yes, in many circumstances the Lord spoke normal Aramaic. But He also had no trouble using the liturgical, non-vernacular, language of his religion - Hebrew. Thus, on the cross he spoke it when he cried out "Eli, Eli, lamma sabachtani?" The people standing around, not understanding Hebrew, thought he was calling on Elias, but he was praying in Hebrew the beginning of Psalm 22.
Perhaps none of the Curia has
Perhaps none of the Curia has read, even in translations, any Japanese literature to know that in it, the ghosts of departed people are not seen as benevolent or helpful, but rather as malignant or malevolent towards the living...This has held true for novels, poems, plays, histories, etc for more than 1200+ years...
And Rome expects to overcome this cultural context for Japanese Catholics with "a little education about the intended liturgical changes"???
Have the Irish people stopped talking about leprechuans yet, even though many of their worldwide descendants have never even lived in Ireland?
O, Holy Spirit, Please
O, Holy Spirit,
Please quickly fire up your holy people around the world to SPEAK THEIR TRUTH.
And, while you are at it, O Holy Spirit, please quickly enlighten the arrogant imbeciles in the Vatican, who govern your holy people in Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe and Oceania.
What I find noteworthy is the
What I find noteworthy is the Straw Man that Father Grimm erects and then so deftly knocks down: namely, a Curia that cannot understand even the most simple ideas.
Now, isn't it convenient for Father Grimm's argument that it works out so neatly--that the big, bad curia can't get a single clue, even though the matter is so crystal-clear?
And of course, this provokes predictable reactions from readers, as seen above: yeah, boo the evil curia! aren't they dumb/evil/shortsighted etc.
Now, I assume there are really are two sides to this--and who knows, maybe, had we been presented both sides, I'd have taken Father Grimm's side. But this article only develops Father Grimm's point of view, presenting the other side as a laughable caricature: look how dumb and clueless the curia is!
So, I'm going to wait till someone at NCR chooses to present the issues fairly. I mean, what's the problem? Can't be bothered to call someone on the other side, and ask, "What's your position? Why are you taking the approach you are? What do you think is at stake here?"
Submitted by Fr Martin Fox on
Submitted by Fr Martin Fox on Dec. 29, 2009.
You stated:
"What I find noteworthy is the Straw Man that Father Grimm erects and then so deftly knocks down: namely, a Curia that cannot understand even the most simple ideas...."
------------------------------
I do believe DDee below answered your question very well. I would like to add that as I stated above---the Vatican is extremely arrogant! It doesn't feel that it has to answer to anyone, at any time, ever! I'd like to explicate this statement from just one aspect (although there are many other examples).
In the early fall of 2008, a group of Catholic German professors and theologians in the universities, were appaled at how the Vatican was embracing conservative extremists and disregarding the teachings of Vatican II in various areas: liturgy, ecumenism, and in quashing theological inquiries of theologians, to name a few. The German theologians crafted their concerns in specific points. They sent their concerns as a petition to be signed by those who shared the same fears.
Their petition, written in several different languages, was circulated all over the world. By the fall of 2009, it had been signed by more than 51,000
individuals---many were theologians, teachers, liturgists, priests, religious, and laity---those who minister in the Church. The signed petition was presented in person by a group of these theologians,to the Vatican in October of 2009.
Comment from the Vatican? Silence! And there has been nothing stated yet by the Vatican. I do believe that 51 million could have signed that petition, and the response would have been the same.
Your comment about giving the Curia an opportunity to respond, would be a fair one, except that the Vatican really believes that its every utterance, its every action---reflects the mind of God, and that only the Vatican has the direct access to the mind of God---nobody else.
Those of us who teach the history of the Church and the major outcomes of the 21 world-wide Councils---know what debacles occured in the Church when such attitudes prevailed in the papacy and the curia.
This papacy, although living in the 21 Century, is still mired in the thought patterns of Trent and Vatican 1. It couches its language in modern terms---that are only costumes dressing an older mentality---that cannot deal with today's world or its people.
Fr. Fox - in case you have
Fr. Fox - in case you have not yet noticed, most of us already know "the other side" of the issue (namely, that the Vatican is forcing liturgical changes to now be literal translations of the Latin, despite the problems noted here and elsewhere). Do you know something different, or more than what has been widely circulated in many forums - not just NCR? Have you considered writing an article yourself to "present both sides" and add something constructive to the discussion? The article above is indeed Fr. Grimm's "point of view." And why should it not be? Underlying your argument for a "fair" presentation of the issues, you are doing exactly what you are criticizing, that is, pushing for the "other" side as if there is no awareness of it, or that facts are being hidden. So rather than just criticize, talk with us, teach us if you can, help us understand the issues better. THis would be far more pastoral than what you have presented so far.
The Vatican's bureaucrats are
The Vatican's bureaucrats are so locked into the languages of Greek philosophrs and medieval schoolmen that we can't even have a culturally relevant translation in English. How can the Japanese, Chinese, African cultures, et al., have a hope of a chance of an expression of the gospel message that actually addresses their cultural, historical and liguistic needs? What a fearful, benighted bunch of clerics mans (I used the term advisedly) the institutional church. They are afraid of the freedom of the sons of God that Paul preached.
Let's end all these
Let's end all these translation problems by returning to an all Latin Liturgy.
Please, returning to Latin
Please, returning to Latin does not help in any sense of the word. First, how do you know that the Latin was translated properly to begin with? Don't you think that those who translated the original writings into Latin suffered the same problem that we are struggling with today? It seems that for some reason, people think that Latin is a mystical language that transcends errors in translation.
For scripture to be present to each of us in our "own" culture requires that it make both grammatical sense as well as using words that are common or use reasonably current vernacular. If not, why don't we use "Shakespearian" language today? We would not clearly understand scripture written in old English and so we would have to translate from old English to "modern" English, then listen to a homily to explain what was translated twice already. Some of the translations end up sounding like Yoda from Star Wars. The proposed translations appear to be a bunch of rubbish in several countries. How do you think that Jesus would have spoken to the different cultures? I suspect he would have spoken in their dialect and word usage that would help them understand his message.
That looks to be the longer
That looks to be the longer term outlook. This appears to be an setup to go after local vernacular in many parts of the globe as being inadequate to go back to full Latin. I would then estimate 10-20yrs for this so they have enough seminarians who were required to take Latin to convert everyone to the old mass in an relatively quick time. Many Vatican II priests were not required to take Latin (I would expect it was always there as an elective). This would be an even bigger setback for the Church, but Rome will get the "smaller, more faithful" Church they are yearning for.
A note to Martin Fox... No
A note to Martin Fox...
No need to go so far as Japan to seek out a balanced report and a reasonable response as to why middle-European cultural norms and language trump that of those persons who WERE ALSO CALLED AND GIFTED by God's Spirit.
Less need to impute some sort of unreasonable and hostile intention on the part of NCR.
How many articles and papers have taken up space here in the NCR and other journals in the US debating the various sides (more than 2 to be sure) of the exact same lack of sensitivity toward American Catholics and our culture?
From what I have read, the answer to most of our questions and concerns is a simple one... "because we said so."
That seems to be the case whether it be to the vast theological and liturgical chasm in meaning that exists between responding to another human person's "Peace be with you" with a dignified and loving, "and also with you," compared to a strange and distancing (and, might I add, elevating - as in idolotrous pedestal -)utterance of "and with your spirit" -- or forcing Americans who have no earthly kings and do not want one, to adopt the feudal postures of submission and obeyance in kneeling and folding one's hands together before us... I am an ethnically mixed American and an adult convert. I take the bible seriously, especially the warnings that Jesus and St. Paul passed down to us against empty religiousity and abuses of liturgical power. I am to stand with arms uplifted in prayer. That, according to scripture, is how God wishes us to see God and ourselves in our innate dignity as Children of God when we come to dialogue and give praise and thanks. There is no endorsement of cowering nor rendering submission before another human, nor to God, in His name.
These are cultural differences which in Europe, as well as for many Americans to be sure, may lead to a growth in spirit (instead of fuel the false humility that it seems to lead to here), but Rome should never assume that it would be so edifying in all places and for all people, yet it they do so presume despite the too-passive rebutals of local bishops and laity. That kind of behavior is not only pig-headed and arrogant, but is the kind of destructive power spoken of in the bible... and not well.
DDee: I don't think it's
DDee:
I don't think it's unreasonable to expect this article to be balanced. I think it is an unreasonable defense of Fr. Grimm's Straw Man knockdown approach to say, well, there were other articles, at other times, that were balanced!
And, I'm sorry to say, in your attempt to elucidate it, you, too, haven't added anything to a presentation of the other side. As you and Father Grimm seem to approach this, reason, sensitivity, logic and common sense--not to mention God's will!--are all 100% on your side. Isn't that a rather arrogant stance to take?
Martin, I do believe that in
Martin,
I do believe that in my earlier remarks I accepted that it is quite possible that the formulas being strong-armed by Rome may indeed be edifying for some Christians. What I challenge is the idea and the exercise of insisting that all Christians can or should re-adjust their own cultural and spiritual rudders to fit that very narrow and time-stamped formula.
A truer sense of inculturation and of obeying Jesus's call to "go out" to others, would be to ensure that the Good News can be heard and understood by people where they are (geographically, socially and spiritually).
As someone who has a strong understanding of both sides and frankly sees that Roman intolerance as WRONG, I would not pretend to argue the other side of this issue and do it justice. What I would hope for a return of in our church, is an atmosphere of honest, open and respected debate where all informed sides of these theological issues can be heard without fear of being "silenced" or having their teaching positions rescinded by a vindictive hierarchy. The same goes for the jobs of excellent editors-in-chief (America magazine comes to mind).
No, Martin, I am not the one who should present the other opinion as an equally valid one since I don't believe that it is. After all, is not that sort of relativism one of the flaws of smorgesborg Catholicism and social apathy? I think that Rome is wrong, and despite the gentle rejoinders of first one, then two, then several of their own bishops, they have refused to listen and persisted in their deviance, and now even refuse to hear the voices of multitudes of the faithful or at least take us seriously. St. Paul had a bit to say about such an attitude. My becoming mealy mouthed and apologetic in my critique would only disvalue the truth of his teaching on the matter.
Does that mean that I claim exclusive access to truth? Never.
Why not let's open theprocess of decision making on the issue up to dialogue and broad input so that the Holy Spirit can help us settle the matter, because - frankly - I doubt that the Holy Spirit has been able to break its way into the recints of the Vatican for some time now and the idea of it breaks my heart more than you can know.
What a thoughful and honest
What a thoughful and honest reply to Fr. Martin. I hope that he read it and "listened" to it.
Here in Indonesia a dreadful,
Here in Indonesia a dreadful, literalist translation was introduced a couple of years ago. Et cum spiritu tuo" becomes, "Dan bersama rohmu." = "And with your ghost/spook". We have enough spirits running around the forests and rock outcrops and banyan trees without filling the church with any more. All the congregational responses during the Eucharistic prayers have been removed - as people say, "Now all we have to do is wait for the 'amin'." All the special Indonesian prefaces have gone. And seminarians are being trained to kiss the altar etc. etc. We used to have vibrant, beautiful Eucharistic celebrations. Before the sentences were composed to be proclaimed - simple, direct, dignified, even poetic. Now they are as long as the Latin constructions and so convoluted even a single person, the priest, has trouble saying them. Who decides? The Indonesian bishops put off this travesty for many years (the Vatican has been after them for at least 20 years), but at last were worn down. And who in the Vatican knows bahasa Indonesia? They pick up an Indonesian student from one of the papal universities and ask for a literal translation into English and decide from that.
But then, our Roman minted rubricists are more Roman than Rome. Thank God many clergy and some bishops still use the "old missal".
Be Holy. Ignore Rome.
Be Holy. Ignore Rome.
Fr Grimm's report, and Fr
Fr Grimm's report, and Fr Fox's comments plainly seem to support the idea that the Curia does not know what it is doing, and that the Vatican is arrogant. As a member of the church in Asia, let's firstly realise that the Roman Rite is celebrated already in diverse languages and embraced wonderfully by the nascent churches in Asia where the congregations are lively, young and Spirit-filled. Americans are welcome to visit to witness the Catholic Church's growth in these parts. Secondly, the revised translations undertaken by the respective Bishops' Conference for the vernacular only affect some parts, and do not throw the whole Liturgy into chaos. Where gestures in Japan is concerned, I attended a pontifical mass in Kyoto celebrated with a handful of faithful on Maundy Thursday, and the Cardinal had not issue with bowing to kiss the altar - what a wonderful act of love. Mind you, Judas did kiss the Lord as an act of betrayal - nothing sexual there. Similarly, even the Septuagint translation of Hebrew scriptures into Greek kept many of the semitic nuances by transliterating it, and the Greek readers had to learn where these were so. As in Chinese Mandarin, "Amen" is transliterated "Ah-Men" phonetically, and we Chinese learn what the semitic meaning is, "Let it be so!" as a clear proclamation of Assent and Fidelity. It is sad what those with superficial knowledge of the truth make deceitful and absurd claims just to forward their personal agendas. There is a great deal of balance and care being worked into the pastoral and Liturgical effort in Asia. Asian Catholics do not look to the American Church and many of the liberal voices for inspiration and leadership. American pastors and faithful living and working in Asia should themselves be mindful of where Asia looks to for its leadership, and it is to Rome, not Washington.
Silly Idea #1: How dare the
Silly Idea #1: How dare the Latin Rite of the Catholic Church demand that translations of the Latin liturgy accurately reflect the Latin prayers. Arrogant imbeciles, fools, etc.
Silly Idea #2: Let's get our petitions out on the internet to see who gets the most votes. Then we'll know what is right and what is wrong.
Note to combox promoters of silly ideas - the local protestant church around the corner welcomes you. In fact, this is pretty much how they got started. No one is forcing anyone to be Catholic, especially folks that consider the Vatican curia to be imbeciles, fools, etc.
Mr. Grimm's representation of
Mr. Grimm's representation of the eggmen in the vatican and their endless, micromanaged quibbles over church teachings and who is going to be the master is probably truer than he realizes. Their insistance that everyone profess only "the truth" that they promulgate reminds me of another scene from Alice in Wonderland, with the laity (and many clerics) in the role of Alice:
"I can't believe that!" said Alice.
"Can't you?" the queen said in a pitying tone. "Try again, draw a long breath, and shut your eyes."
"Alice laughed: "There's no use trying," she said; "one can't believe impossible things."
"I daresay you haven't had much practice," said the Queen. "When I was younger, I always did it for half an hour a day. Why, sometimes I've believed as many as six impossible things before breakfast."
I've lost count of the impossible things the vatican has offered for our belief. I can't decide whether to feel disgusted or to giggle. Maybe I'll just shut me eyes. That's the kind of "catholic identity" they seem to teach.
I am fortunate to hear Fr.
I am fortunate to hear Fr. Grimm's homilies every week at our parish in Tokyo -- I found this article Googling him, to link to something else he wrote.
I learned something from this article that I didn't know before -- that bit about Japanese priests not kissing the alter. That makes sense. When I married my [non-Catholic] Japanese husband in a church wedding, and the priest said he could lift my veil and kiss me, he was mortified and pecked me on the cheek, ashamed to have to kiss me in front of all his friends and relatives.
To the commenter above who said, "No one is forcing anyone to be Catholic, especially folks that consider the Vatican curia to be imbeciles, fools, etc." True, no one is forcing us those of us who believe this to stay here, but we stick around just the same. Go figure!
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