Liturgical decadence of many of the Cardinal Electors
A whole playlist here. For quite a few earlier examples, click on the label below. Some of the celebrations only underline the liturgical decadence of the modern Church. An absolute priority for the new Pope to sort out. So many liturgical experts, so little fine liturgy.
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Comments
The mass is not about people - poor or rich - it is about God. The "pomp" at the mass is an expression of our attitude toward God. Do we care about Him, do we adore Him and treat Him as God - or do we not?
When a women poured a precious ointment over Jesus's head, he didn't refuse it; on the contrary, he praised the woman (Matthew 26:6). It was Judas Iscariot who complained at that occasion (John 12:4-5). Neither did Jesus (or his parents) refuse precious gifts brought to him by wise men from the east.
So, certain pomp, grandeur and luxury are, in my opinion, certainly appropriate in the liturgy if we really believe in the presence of God therein.
It is also educational to all those present; it tells them in a non-verbal way: there is something special going on. Too simple and barren modern rites suggest to those people, be they poor or rich, "there is nothing important going on or nothing special present here". So the faith in in the real presence and in divine importance of the rites is gradually lost.