Originally Posted By: Fr. Deacon Lance
Lady Byzantine,

When you come here and call our bishops "These people" and say they "really don't care about the church" and "They don't care about us" what response do you expect? Rather than listen to Admin John's advice and remain respectful of our bishops you and others come here and deride them.

I see parishes that use the RDL that are full of life, somehow I don't think you would be willing to see life in any parish using the RDL.

If you want the Ruthenian Liturgy why don't you go to the Ukrainian Catholic Cathedral? They have it. You aren't going to find it at the OCA Cathedral.

I am not trying to be insensitive, I realize that the RDL has caused consternation and pain for some just as the NO caused it for some Latin Catholics when it was promulgated. However, disrespecting the bishops and running them down is not the answer.

What can you do? Respect them, pray for them, and perhaps search and drive. I am sure some where in the Cleveland area is an older priest using the 64 Liturgicon just like there is in Pittsburgh. But don't expect things to be resolved this year, next year, or anytime soon. It took the SSPX 20 years to get the Tridentine Rite unfettered and their excommunications lifted.

Fr. Deacon Lance

I will agree with and support Father Deacon Lance’s call for charity. There is absolutely no reason to speak of “those people” (etc.) in these discussions. The case for the authentic Ruthenian Divine Liturgy (and against the Revised Divine Liturgy) can be and should be made on the basis of 1) adherence to the Vatican directives (the Liturgical Instruction and Liturgicam Authenticam) and 2) good scholarship. One can respect our bishops and treat them with respect while also stating that their revision to the Divine Liturgy is wrong. Making the debate personal only assures failure.

I will quibble with Father Deacon on two points. A Ruthenian should not have to seek out a parish in a different jurisdiction to find the authentic Ruthenian Divine Liturgy. It should be allowed in the Ruthenian Church, with a translation that is accurate and adheres to Liturgicam Authenticam. It is that goal to which the faithful must dedicate their prayers and efforts. Also, I will note that the blanket permission in the Latin Church for the John XXIII Missal of the Roman Mass is permission for an extraordinary Mass of that Church. We are not seeking permission for an extraordinary form of the Byzantine Divine Liturgy but, rather, for the normative form as promulgated by Rome.

Above all, keep praying!