Mass and Priesthood under direct attack in Germany

The Archdiocese of Paderborn has now officially commissioned 1,070 leaders of Liturgy of the Word services.

Two of the merry crew- but from another German diocese

n the Archdiocese of Paderborn, 1,070 men and women have now been officially commissioned to lead worship services, also known as Liturgy of theWord of God celebrations. This emerges from statistics published by the Archdiocese on Thursday.

With more than 1,000 leaders of worship services, but only 64,000 people who, according to current statistics, still attend church services on Sundays in the Archdiocese of Paderborn, there is one person for every 64 practicing Catholics who is officially allowed to lead a celebration of the Word of God. However, it was not clear from the statement whether all of those commissioned are on active duty.

The introduction of Liturgy of the Word services dates back to the Second Vatican Council. In the liturgical constitution Sacrosanctum Concilium from 1963, the Council Fathers argued: “Special liturgies of the word should be encouraged on the eves of the major feasts, on weekdays in Advent or in the Quadragesima, as well as on Sundays and public holidays, especially where no priest is available; In this case, a deacon or another representative of the bishop should lead the celebration.”

In practice, laypeople generally took on the role of leader of a celebration of the Word of God.

In a framework of the German Bishops' Conference (DBK) from 1999 it can be read: “There are parish services that are so focused on the centre of the church community that the priest's priestly role is required. If this is not possible due to an emergency situation, the Bishop cannot delegate the priest's symbolic-sacramental ministry as head, but he can delegate the ministry of leadership to a deacon or a delegated layperson.”

“The laity act as members of the Church appointed from among the community,” the DBK continued. “Jesus Christ is present in her when she proclaims and prays in his name and thus opens herself to his saving action.”

From the Archdiocese of Paderborn it was said: “In the Liturgy of the Word of God celebrations, the focus is on the proclamation of the Word of God. In terms of their idea and their approach, celebrations of the Word of God are not intended to be a replacement for the Holy Mass, but in fact they have taken the place of a Eucharistic celebration in many parishes.”

With regard to the restrictions required by the shortage of priests, “but especially for a diverse and rich offer of liturgical celebrations in the parishes, it is good that there are believers who enrich the life of worship through celebrations of the Liturgy of the Word of God”.

Source

Cathcon:  On the occasions that I have been to such services I have quizzed the congregation afterwards.   They all have believed that they attended a Mass.  In business, this is known as passing off.