President of the Latin American Episcopal Council decides to pick a fight with Latin Mass supporters

Cardinal Spengler: “Nostalgic proposals don’t help”

A pure creation of Francis as he demonstrates

The Archbishop of Porto Alegre and President of CELAM responds to Vida Nueva after returning to Brazil following the first consistory of Leo XIV

The Cardinal Archbishop of Porto Alegre, President of the Brazilian Episcopal Conference and of the Latin American Episcopal Council (CELAM), Jaime Spengler, OFM, answers questions from Vida Nueva after attending the first consistory of Leo XIV’s pontificate in Rome, held between January 7 and 8.

Q. The Pope posed a fundamental question at the start of the consistory: Looking ahead to the next one or two years, what aspects and priorities could guide the actions of the Holy Father and the Curia?

A. The Cardinals present at the consistory considered two guidelines that could illuminate the Church's actions over the next two years: reviewing the valuable recommendations of Evangelii Gaudium and delving deeper into the reflections proposed in the final document of the last Synod. Both recommendations should be reflected in what has been called the "reform of the Curia," as illustrated by the apostolic constitution Praedicate Evangelium. This is not simply a matter of adapting the old norms of the Roman Curia. Rather, it is a very particular way of understanding the service that the Curia is called to provide to the Successor of Peter and to the bishops. The guidelines of the Synod on Synodality are crucial for implementing what the aforementioned apostolic constitution prescribes.

Q. Leo XIV shared two questions in his impromptu reflection: “Is there life in our Church? Is there room for what is being born?” With this as a starting point, what are these realities that are being born in the Church and that must be welcomed with the “newness” that the Pope calls for?

A. Certainly, there is much life in the Church. It is in local communities where the Gospel is lived and witnessed in a credible and exemplary way. There is a distinctive richness that is not governed by the criteria of “productivity” and “efficiency.” These are worldly criteria! The Gospel is like a seed sown in the ground; it requires time and patience. Where, for example, the Gospel life is embraced with courage and determination, fruits are seen. The processes of initiation into the Christian life, the dynamic of prayerful reading of the Word, and liturgical celebrations conducted with nobility, piety, and dignity are privileged spaces for the development of the “new” that the Pope speaks of. To better understand the dynamics of faith and its proclamation, perhaps we should delve deeper into the knowledge of the first Christian communities (1st-5th centuries). The first centuries of Christianity, despite the inherent difficulties of the era, were extremely fruitful. It is true that times have changed! However, the challenges are similar. Proposing the faith to new generations with appropriate language, incorporating elements of contemporary culture that can contribute to its promotion: this is the great challenge! As in the past, today's culture is not favorable. Certainly, there are positive elements, but there is an underlying aversion in broad sectors of society to what the Church as an institution proposes.

Against “It’s always been done this way”

Q: Cardinal Timothy Radcliffe said in his opening meditation: “The Lord calls us to navigate the storms and face them with truth and courage, without timidly waiting on the shore.” What storm do you believe we urgently need to confront?

A: The ideology of “it’s always been done this way”! The essence of the faith—what we define as the kerygma—does not change. However, times change, the cultures where the Christian faith is present are diverse, and the means available for its proclamation are numerous. Being open to reading the signs of the times, striving to find appropriate answers to the great existential questions in the common heritage of the Church, and walking the “way” (let us not forget that the first Christians used this term!) with those who are willing to walk together, is a valid approach for our time, marked by various complexities. There is an old saying: “Words convince, examples move!” It is necessary to keep in mind that the Christendom regime has already been superseded. Today, faith is no longer something taken for granted. It is necessary to propose it anew with courage.

Q: On the afternoon of January 7, you addressed the question of liturgy. How can it be revived?

A.- The river does not flow backwards! Throughout history, the liturgy has undergone various reforms. The Second Vatican Council represents an enormous effort to rescue fundamental elements of Catholic liturgical celebration. Nostalgic proposals do not help to promote what the Council identified as fundamental to the liturgy. The liturgy cannot be understood simply as an expression of religious practice; it is, above all, a vigorous expression of a lived experience of faith, both personal and communal; an experience of encounter with the person of Jesus Christ. The Catholic liturgy preserves a magnificent heritage. 

Cathcon: Yes! In its entirety in the Latin Mass! How dare he say that Latin Mass supporters are just going through the motions! 

Making it known so that it can be lived in all its richness requires awareness. And awareness is also promoted through study and formation. Forming the clergy and the faithful to understand the mysteries celebrated in the liturgy is, perhaps, the great challenge of the Church. The post-conciliar popes have strongly insisted on the need to form all the baptised in this area.

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