Bishop Robert Carlson of Saginaw, Michigan, continues his efforts at cleaning up the mess he inherited with a new letter outlining the requirements for compliance with liturgical law for the sacraments. In a letter to the diocese, accompanied by comprehensive notes, Carlson has laid down the law. Everyone is to begin celebrating Mass according to the dictates of the General Instruction of the Roman Missal (GIRM) and the Apostolic Letter Redemptionis Sacramentum.
The instructions are comprehensive, covering every area of worship, including everything from art and environment to the infamous Saginaw Blessing.
The key here will be enforcement. In order for this to be more than words on a page, there must be consequences for those who refuse to follow the law. As soon as people realize that as long as they’re discreet they can continue doing things the way they have, then this will all be for nought.
However, I think Carlson isn’t the sort of bishop who talks a good game and does nothing. I think we’re going to see some solid implementation of this directive and it’s a good thing for the people of the Saginaw diocese.
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