Catholic Church Reform

Press, Volume CVII, Issue 31440, 5 August 1967, Page 23

Catholic Church Reform

Much has been done to implement the decrees of the Second Vatican Council, and liturgical reform within the Roman Catholic Church in New Zealand over the last two years, according to a statement released after a meet, ing of the Roman Catholic Bishops In Auckland a few days ago. The Bishops’ Conference has been able to draw up guidelines and liturgical texts which have been of the great-

est use in ensuring progress in liturgical reform, particularly in the use of the vernacular, both in English and Maori, the statement says. “While the reform has not moved at the same pace in every parish, a desirable degree of uniformity has been maintained. The principle that the Bishops’ Conference, or in any case, individual Bishops have the responsibility of introducing any variation in the liturgy, has been steadily maintained.”

The statement says that the bishops reviewed the workings of the structures set up to facilitate the implementation of the council decrees. These included co-ordinating committees for lay work, and federation of the heads of orders of nuns, religious brothers and priests. Saying that there is a constant call for the study of the council documents so their full richness will be felt in the Catholic life, the Bishops say: “We are all aware of the problems which face us. They demand patience and charity in their solution. ... It is one thing to constitute mechanisms of change. It is quite another to grow in awareness and appreciation of the renewal of spiritual life that is the basic reason for the change.” Further liturgical developments are to be expected, the statement says. Application has been made to have the Canon of the Mass in English.

The statement says that the Bishops have instituted a survey into the many varied overseas aid and missionary works supported from New Zealand.