Cardinal Arinze: Pope considering moving sign of peace

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Comments: 24

Cardinal Francis Arinze

Vatican City, Nov 24, 2008 / 12:33 pm (CNA).- The prefect for the Congregation for Divine Worship and Discipline of the Sacraments, Cardinal Francis Arinze, has said that Pope Benedict XVI may consider moving the sign of peace to before the offertory, “in order to create a moment of reflection while we prepare for communion.”

In an interview with the L’Osservatore Romano on the 50^th anniversary of his ordination to the priesthood, Cardinal Arinze explained that “a different placement of the sign of peace” is under consideration. “Often the full significance of this gesture is not understood. It is seen as an occasion to shake the hands of our friends, when in reality it is a way of saying to the one next to us that the peace of Christ, truly present on the altar, is also for all mankind.”

“In order to create a more meditative atmosphere as we prepare for Communion, moving the sign of peace to the offertory is being considered. The Pope has consulted the bishops, and later he will decide,” Arinze explained.

Cardinal Arinze later explained that his dicastery “is not a sort of ‘ecclesiastical’ police or ‘intervener’ for every problem. The dicastery was created first of all to promote divine worship,” although “we certainly cannot close our eyes to objectively problematic situations,” he added.

“The 2004 document Redemptoris Sacramentum points out that many of the liturgical abuses “are not due to ill will but rather ignorance. Some just don’t know, but they also don’t know they are ignoring something. They don’t know, for example, that words and gestures have roots in the tradition of the Church. Thus they think they are being more original and creative by changing these texts and gestures. In response to this situation, it is necessary to reaffirm that the liturgy is sacred and is the public prayer of the Church.”

Comments: 24

Subscriber comments:

Published by: Christian
Frankfort/KY/USA 08/25/2009 08:15 AM EST

Nothing can rehab the two ultimate causes of the loss of Faith: the Novus Ordo "Mass" and Vatican II.

Supress them immediately.

Published by: Paula Ruddy
Minnepolis, MN, USA 08/23/2009 09:46 PM EST

I was just thinking at Mass this evening that the sign of peace is the only sign of life in the congregation during the whole automated ritual. It is the only place there is any recognition that God is present first and foremost in people. And then I read that all you commentators want to get rid of the distractions of the rest of the congregation so you can concentrate on worshipping God. Where do you think God is?

Published by: Jason
Elizabeth, NJ 08/23/2009 09:05 PM EST

While we are on the topic of removing all the wanna-be Protestant nonsense from the Mass, can we get the congregation to stop mimicking evangelicals with their outstretched hands during the Pater Noster?

A ban on women wearing short shorts and tops with spaghetti straps would be nice as well.

Published by: shaun
Minnesota 12/19/2008 06:31 PM EST

The "sign of peace" is not new -- it was commended by St. Augustine to occur exactly in the place where it is now, after the Lord's Prayer.

If you want to be holier-than-thou, choose a topic you're well educated in.

Maybe instead of fomenting discord you could spend more time praying to get the board out of your own eye.

Published by: T.KANE
RANDOLPH,OH 12/18/2008 11:24 AM EST

THE SIGN OF PEACE HAS BEEN A CLASSIC EXAMPLE OF INFUSING THE GIMMICKY PUERILE& SUPERFLUOUS INTO A MASS THAT HAS BEEN SUBJECT TO ASSAULT FOR DECADES.THAT THE HOLY SACRIFICE HAS SURVIVED DESPITE THESE INCESSANT EFFORTS TO SUBVERT ITS SENSE OF MYSTERY AND MAJESTY IS INDEED A TESTIMONY TO CHRIST'S PROMISE TO THWART THE VICTORY OF A SATAN DETERMINE TO DESTROY HIS CHURCH.THIS PALEO-CATHOLIC WELCOMES EVEN AN INCREMENTAL STEP TO AMELIORATE THE IMPACT OF "REFORMERS".I TRUST,ALSO, THAT THE POST-WORSHIP INVOCATION TO ST. MICHAEL WILL BE REVIVED AS WELL...HIS INTERCESSION IS NEEDED MORE THAN EVER...

Published by: P. Lafferty
Lancaster, PA USA 11/30/2008 06:02 PM EST

Rate: Excellent

ABOLISH THE "SIGN OF PEACE".
I AM THERE TO WORSHIP MY LORD. I AM NOT THERE TO SHAKE HANDS WITH MY NEIGHBORS. I CAN DO THAT AT ANY MALL OR SUPERMARKET!!!!!

Published by: Donna
United States 11/30/2008 10:26 AM EST

Rate: Very Good

I've always disliked the sign of peace. It seems phony to me.

To be honest, I'd love to see the old Latin Mass come back. I know it's still said here and there, but for those who remember, it was very powerful.

Published by: Raymond
Overland Park, KS USA 11/29/2008 01:18 PM EST

Benedict XVI has shown himself to be wonderful in taking a hard look at our practices. I commend him for this consideration of moving the sign of peace.

Published by: Patrick Webster
England 11/27/2008 03:13 PM EST

I agree far better to do away with it.
We have the added disturbance of having to greet our neighbours and introduce ourselves even before Mass has started.A few minutes later the children leave the church through the sanctuary for religous instruction to return at the before the Canon.
Apart from that we have 5 girl and one grandmother serving at most masses.
Mass has been reduced to a social gathering with much talking and reading of the newsletter before Mass and no devotion at all after Mass.

Published by: Sarah Schmidt
Laurinburg, NC 11/26/2008 10:29 PM EST

The sign of peace is new, as I have joyfully come back to my Catholic roots, and it was not a part of the Mass in the 50's or 60's. It seems a distinctly Protestant thing to do, especially since the Mass is prayer, so why greet each other in the middle of our prayer, and right before the consecration? It is truly out of place, and I am grateful we have such a spiritual Pope who wants move it (although it would be better to remove it entirely).

Published by: Jim S
New London MN USA 11/26/2008 05:59 PM EST

How can we do a sign of peace and unity when there is no peace or unity? A great divide exists between those Catholics who voted for pro-abortion candidates and those who were loyal to thier faith. We are not seeing unity after the election to oppose FOCA either. I find little support for this within my own parish. Not even from my priest.I am not at peace.

Published by: Chris Sawyer
Farmington Hills, MI USA 11/26/2008 12:01 PM EST

Rate: Very Good

Let's get to the point: God's peace comes from Him and whether we celebrate and "share" it by shaking hands with each other means nothing by comparison. When are we, as Catholics, going to quit remaking God -- and his church -- in our image and likeness? Can we also get folks to quit holding hands during recitation of the "Our Father" or raising their hands in a mimic of the priest? Or how about not receiving Communion in the hand -- or chewing it like a piece of gum on our way back to our seats? The Novus Ordo has removed the majesty, solemnity, and piety necessary to truly worship God. Perhaps it would be better if the Pope did what has been needed for years: Consecrate Russia by name to the Blessed Mother and stop the rot that is destroying the Church.

Published by: rudy Michieli
sterling, co. 80751 11/26/2008 01:17 AM EST

do away with it , it breaks your train of thought, I have seen some awfull gesters, during this part of the mass.

Published by: Pamela
USA 11/25/2008 11:47 PM EST

I agree with Lily. I would like to see it go, as well. My parish priest does not include it. He offers us peace and we respond "and also with you," and he skips the rest. Maybe I'm missing something, but while the members of the congregation around me are coughing and sneezing all over their hands, I'm always very grateful for not being obligated to shake hands. Factor in the people who feel the need to go all the way across the aisle, or hug and kiss instead of only shaking hands and it becomes even more uncomfortable and distracting.

Published by: Mark M.
Warsaw, Poland 11/25/2008 11:07 PM EST

Certainly a move in the right direction. More pertinent should be the banning of the sacrilegious Communion in the hand practice, which took root in the whole Church as a result of an act of disobedience in Holland soon after Vatican II.

Published by: David Werling
South Bend/Indiana/USA 11/25/2008 07:12 PM EST

Moving the Pax tecum is a move away from the Traditional Latin Mass, and nothing good will come of it.

Published by: Corrine J.
Cleveland 11/24/2008 11:13 PM EST

Let's bring back the true Mass..Novelties
and experimentation is
a sad chapter of the '70s!

Published by: Matthew S
Monterey, CA 11/24/2008 09:23 PM EST

I think this is a wonderful move, I often felt that having the sign of peace right before communion was distracting, and I'm glad this is a thought the Holy Father shares. I hope it is changed soon.

Published by: Lily
SLC, Utah 11/24/2008 08:48 PM EST

I wish they'd just get rid of it. It's a fiasco in my parish, as are the individual intentions. No one will accept a no contact gesture of peace - a friendly nod or a smile and the words 'peace' or 'peace be with you'. The hand holding during the Lord's prayer is also annoying.

Published by: Richard
Texas 11/24/2008 06:46 PM EST

Why not just remove the Sign of Peace all together? It's only an option right now (not required) anyway.

Published by: hollingsworth
U.S. 11/24/2008 05:04 PM EST

It doesn't matter where the Pope moves the "sign of peace." It is impossible to make a silk purse out of the Novus Ordo sow's ear. He might be better advised to remove the sign altogether in that it is utterly banal.

Published by: Tom
USA 11/24/2008 04:56 PM EST

Before the Offertory was exactly when the Church of Jerusalem in 396 had it (according to St. Cyril). It makes better sense, too, because we ought not be focussing on anyone but Our Lord from the consecration to the end of communion.

Published by: Kevin
Rockford 11/24/2008 04:37 PM EST

Thank you Pope Benedict and Cardinal Arinze

Published by: Catherine Duvall
United States 11/24/2008 01:36 PM EST

Thanks for information.

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