Dublin, Ireland, Jun 18, 2012 / 09:22 am
At the conclusion of the 50th Eucharistic Congress in Ireland, Pope Benedict urged ongoing liturgical renewal – as outlined by the Second Vatican Council – amid current misunderstandings and abuses.
"At our distance today from the Council Fathers' expressed desires regarding liturgical renewal, and in the light of the universal Church's experience in the intervening period, it is clear that a great deal has been achieved; but it is equally clear that there have been many misunderstandings and irregularities," he said in a video message to over 75,000 pilgrims in Dublin's Croke Park Stadium on June 17.
"Not infrequently," he added, "the revision of liturgical forms has remained at an external level, and 'active participation' has been confused with external activity. Hence much still remains to be done on the path of real liturgical renewal."
Although the liturgy should be "celebrated with great joy and simplicity," it should also be conducted "as worthily and reverently as possible," he said.