I think the first consideration is what mass are you describing. If you attend only the EF mass, then you have to realize it is more tightly controlled, subject to more specific rubrics, and has fewer options. Trying to impose all that on an OF mass is ridiculous. The OF has its own missal, its own rubrics, and allows more options. Following the OF missal and regulations is not an abuse because it is different from the EF. There are many fine musicians on this forum who are working diligently to improve music in the OF. They need to be supported, not criticized for not following the EF missal and rubrics. They are not required to follow the requirements for the EF. It seems many of our issues come from EF people who can't or won't accept that. You are not in any way superior to the rest of us because you only attend the EF mass.

Charles, for a person to believe they are a superior Catholic because they only go to an E F Mass is a sin. I sure hope no one on this board who only goes to an Tridentine Mass believes they are superior.

E F it is rather difficult to enforce wrong interpretations of liturgical documents because:

1 some of the language in these documents is somewhat vague and

2 liturgical law has not been codified, which document takes precedent?

And those were only the English translations. I believe the Paul VI missal in on its third edition already: 1970, 1975, and 2002.

Who said anything about myself or any real situation I find myself in? As others have said in this thread, attending the '62 Mass means I don't have to worry about abuses or not, being more "tightly controlled." This is, as always, a hypothetical from principles.

No: Clearly, if a man --- generic "man", Doug, embracing the female and neuter --- sees what he believes to be abuse, he should confront it somehow. Pilloring him for doing this seems backward.

The proper music to sing being fit subject for liturgical documents, it seems to me proper that a discussion of what does one do in x situation is entirely appropriate. Once upon a time there was a list of music which could not be sung at Mass.

Oh please, not the dancing nuns again. And this time naked? I still have nightmares from the 60s. ;-) Believe me, they looked much better in floor-length habits.

Of course liturgical abuse can happen anywhere. However, it is important to know what constitutes a real abuse, as opposed to a difference in the rites.

Yes, if you see a genuine abuse, you certainly can report it. Unfortunately, where you happen to be located can determine whether or not the complaint is taken seriously.

LOL, Charles and Ruth. Coming back to the original question, though, the first thing I would do is confront the priest about it using the tactful approach that Chonak describes above. Priests get e-mails about all kinds of liturgical things (usually the homily, but others as well), and I know the priest for whom my wife is the Director of Music typically responds to these sorts of messages during the week.

Going straight to the bishop, especially if you have visited a parish only once and noticed something you consider an abuse, reminds me of a student who complained to the chair of the department about his grade before confronting me about it personally. I assume he was hoping the chair would swoop in and give me a stern lecture, but in the end all she did was forward the student's message to me and say, "Handle it." If I had been a jerk about it in the exchange with the student that followed, then taking the issue back to the chair might have been a good idea at that point.

I would say it depends on the gravity of the abuse. If it's musical the first step would be making sure it's an actual abuse and not just your preference. Next I'd speak to the music director. If the music director dismisses the concern, I'd go to the pastor. While going further up the chain of command is an option, it's not really a viable one for anything other than an abuse so grave it affects the validity of the Mass.

IMO. YMMV.

well...I guess the example is a bit extreme. Forget the dancers. : ) Doug you are correct, it is best to go to the priest and politely ask what the heck is going if you are really concerned and especially if it is your parish. If he is a new pastor he may be as concerned as you are, if he is not or encourages such abuse, go up the chain of command but always convey your concerns politely. The wrath of God approach usually shuts doors in your face, literally and figuratively. Other than that try to find another Parish, but again that may be impossible or require too great a sacrifice in distance. Try to keep your faith as best as you can and pray.

I have spoken about Saginaw Michigan recently on the forum. This diocese is an example of what I have been told was lots of liturgical abuse for many years with just a brief respite when Bishop Carlson was there. I know of some parents who actually brought their children down to the Detroit Diocese for Confirmation when Utner was the Bishop. For whatever reason Cardinal Maida turned a blind eye, and yes he knew it was going on.

I don't want to upset anyone who might think Utner was a good bishop, the truth is he drove many people out of his diocese. I do not know everything he was accused of or what Catholics in his diocese were most upset about, but I know for a fact that statues and artwork were sometimes removed from parishes in Saginaw to protect them from the ravages of liturgists.