www.byzcath.org Forums News & Events Church News Vatican definitively approves Neo-Catechumenal Way

The concept of liturgical dance, outside of the limited instance of the Dance of Isaiah which Deacon Lance properly points out, is not commonly an aspect of the Eastern Orthodox and Catholic praxis. Yet, we need to acknowledge that this does not mean it has no place in worship - unless we are prepared to outright dismiss the praxis of those Oriental Orthodox and Catholics who use it, specifically the Ethiopians and Eritreans (I'm unsure of the Copts - our brother Marduk can speak to that question).

There is also a para-liturgical usage - I believe it happens outside the temple proper - on the part of one or more of the Oriental Churches of the Indian subcontinent. It occurs in conjunction with Mystery of Marriage, as best I recollect. It may be solely the Knanya, but memory fails at the moment. If Phil/Mor Ephrem reads this, he may be able to elaborate.

Many years,

Neil

Regarding the NCW (the topic of this thread), I don't think it is out of line for anyone to either support the concept or to speak against it - provided either choice is charitably undertaken. It does, although such might not be readily apparent, have some potential impact - some may recollect a thread within the past year indicating that one Melkite hierarch in the Near East welcomed it into his eparchy, altho I've heard nothing more of that.

Because the Vatican has given approval to it does not mean anything more than that Catholics should view it as having been represented to embody a valid liturgical expression. Certainly, there is no requirement that anyone worship in that form unless they choose to do so and many would choose not to, not finding it spiritually edifying. Others may and it's their prerogative.

Concerns about NCW as an entity offer much more opportunity for expression of support or dissent and both are welcome expressions, again in charity.

Many years,

Neil

Thank you for your kind, measured and illuminating responses to the NCW thread. You really are a Global Moderator. My reference to David and his dance and St. Luke's allusion to it in his Gospel was an an enthusiastic response to Marduk's comments about liturgical dance and it's acceptability if done in the right spirit of faith and cultural heritage. It does have some biblical and (as you insightfully pointed out) ecclesiastical basis. Dear me, the psalms are replete with references to timbral, lyre, tambourines and trumpets, not to mention incense. Yet a cappella Byzantine and Gregorian chants are glorious expressions of two great liturgical traditions within the Church, and they remain my personal preference. I am a bit stunned by the prayerful indignation displayed on the pages of this forum.

The Holy See has approved of certain statutes that the group has, but necessarily any of the illicit practices. I have not read all of the posts as I am joining the discussion late, but a lot of what I read makes me wonder if some of you think that this specific approval is approving of everything that they are doing. I do not believe it is. I think their silence on some of the matters in what has been released indicates that the Vatican's views have not changed and illicit practices remain illicit. One idea that was given to me is that they are sort of being kept in the mainstream and trying to be influenced to remain participants in the parish life of the church and not seen as a competing organization or alternative to parish life and community.

The Vatican is still free to address other concerns in the future, and I think there is a mandate that there be separation between the congregation and the altar.
I can see why some people would be concerned but I think that there are most likely good reasons for the decisions made. The approved statutes are not exactly scandalous from what I have read.