It seems that during that time he never learnt how to wear a pectoral cross when pontificating or that the amice is required when other clothing shows through. There's probably no point asking if he wore the pontifical dalmatic. Perhaps he'll be better at running his diocese.
I believe a little knowledge can be a dangerous thing: for 'tis said by some that the cross was worn thus in mediæval days, and moderns (not overly careful in rubrical matters) thus adopted this practice as a distinction of prelates, forgetting far better, licit distinctions such as the wearing the pontifical dalmatic &c.
ReplyDeleteSomeone should give him a copy of the Ceremonial of Bishops. The cross is splendid but he should know how to wear it. The chasuble is very fine but clashes with the miter. The clerical shirt showing is just pedestrian. This is very poor for a Benedictine, especially one who claims to know about the liturgy.
ReplyDeleteIt is his first day as a bishop. Give him a chance.
ReplyDeleteThose who know him, know him to be orthodox, and a good and holy man. He dressed properly as an abbot. Hopefully he will settle in and dress properly as a bishop. Give him a break, and pray for him. We need such men as bishops.
Fr. A.M.
Anonymous, those who know him well know that his dress sense accurately reflects the man - good until you check the details.
ReplyDeleteAnonymous 1 & 2: The question is not whether this man is good and holy or whatever. It is whether he is behaving properly in the liturgy. Please do not canonize (Anon 1) or demonise (Anon 2) the man here. The Pimpernel would say that a good and holy monk and bishop would take care to follow the Church's liturgical rules from day 1, especially as a example to his diocese. If his carelessness in this is indicative of the man generally, this is not the place to discuss it.
ReplyDeleteIs he pro-EF? Will he let any priest celebrate the EF anytime, anywhere, for any reason? If he's all behind the venerable rites, then why care if he doesn't know how to vest? I know of prelates that can dress the part very well but hate the ancient Roman liturgy with a passion.
ReplyDeleteAnd pray who is going to instruct our bishops on how to dress? Perhaps the Nuncio could send round a little circular letter.
ReplyDelete"Those who know him, know him to be orthodox" ... "Is he pro-EF?" ... Absolute toffee. He is a bishop in Scotland, where the last "Catholic" seminary closed a couple of years back. The Catholic Church in Scotland makes the Dutch church appear a bastion of the Faith.
ReplyDeleteGerry,
ReplyDelete'The Catholic Church in Scotland makes the Dutch church appear a bastion of the Faith.'
That is completely untrue. You ought to live in the Low Countries for a while to see that. Don't exaggerate the situation in Scotland. A.R.