The Vatican and the liturgy

Catholic News Service has posted the first in what it says will be an ongoing series of stories that feature interviews with the heads of the various parts of the Curia -- the official offices of the Vaticans, and "arms" of the pope, that oversee such things as the liturgy or Causes for Canonization or priests.

The first posted story was an interview with Cardinal Francis Arinze, the Nigerian prelate who heads the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Sacraments. He talks about how Pope Benedict XVI will approach correctly abuses in the liturgy -- mostly caused by priests and lay people who deviate from the form and prayers of the Mass.

He said that many liturgical abuses are " 'based on weakness of faith or ignorance' or on a wrong idea of creativity. Where improper practices occur, it is important to begin identifying them and talking about them, but without harming the people involved, the cardinal said.'

Later on in the story comes a classic quote from the cardinal -- who is known for being blunt. Sean Gallagher pointed this gem out to me:

Celebrating Mass well involves lay ministers, but primarily the priest, who sets a tone through every word and gesture, the cardinal said.

"Suppose a priest comes at the beginning of Mass and says: 'Good morning, everybody, did your team win last night?' That's not a liturgical greeting. If you can find it in any liturgical book, I'll give you a turkey," Cardinal Arinze said.

Check out the rest of the story.