I think we went too far

A few years ago, I had the pleasure of chauffeuring the late Bishop Pearce Lacey to a Knights of Columbus dinner in Toronto. He was about 94 at the time. Whilst in the car, he began talking of his past as pastor of Transfiguration of Our Lord Church in Etobicoke and then his appointment by Archbishop Pocock as Rector of St. Michael's Cathedral. The then, Father Lacey was put in charge of the liturgical implementation of the decrees of the Second Vatican Council.

He said to me, "we went to this conference and that seminar...and then this plenary and we visited with these consultants....and the Dominicans said this and...and....and...."

He then became very quiet and I asked him if everything was okay. He said sadly, "David, I think we went too far." Having worked previously as a Special Assistant to both a federal and provincial cabinet minister, I responded in the usual way to him as I did them .... "Yes, Your Excellency."

I was inspired to write this because of this communion rail restoration by Father Allan J. MacDonald of Southern Orders Blog.

Here is a little paragraph from the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy, Sacrosanctam Concilium of the Second Vatican Council. 

26. When passing judgment on works of art, local ordinaries shall give a hearing to the diocesan commission on sacred art and, if needed, also to others who are especially expert, and to the commissions referred to in Art. 44, 45, and 46.

Ordinaries must be very careful to see that sacred furnishings and works of value are not disposed of or dispersed; for they are the ornaments of the house of God.

Read it again and ask yourself what happened. 

Where is the carrera marble altar and communion rail at St. Paul's Basilica? What happened to the beauty of St. Francis of Assist Church or Holy Name or every other wreckovated church of God in Toronto? A few survive almost intact, except for the notorious communion rail, though in the case of St. Vincent de Paul, it has been restored. St. Cecilia, St. Ann, St. Mary, St. Basil, St. Helen, St. Mark and a handful of others which had stubborn pastors and congregations perhaps too poor to destroy what their ancestors built for God somehow survived, again except for the communion rail.

The next time they tell you that it was all in the name of the "spirit of Vatican II" you will easily be able to discern from whence that spirit came and call them for out for what they are.

God help them.