Wednesday Liturgy: Follow-up: Hearing Confessions During Mass
ROME, JUNE 17, 2008 (Zenit.org).- Answered by Legionary of Christ Father Edward McNamara, professor of liturgy at the Regina Apostolorum university.
During our comments on hearing confession during Mass (see June 3), I mentioned that this practice is common in some "Latino" communities. A reader took umbrage at this statement and wrote: "It is about the use of the word 'Latino.' Perhaps, [a] less insulting would be the word 'Hispanic.' After all, the Romans (of the Roman Empire, who spoke Latin) never set foot on America."
It never crossed my mind that this word could be insulting to anyone, but then words can be tyrants or servants, depending on social contexts.
I admit that I chose the word as being the most apt for the context. I sought an expression that covered Spain, Portugal, Mexico, all Spanish-speaking Central and South American countries, and Portuguese-speaking Brazil.
The word "Latin America" leaves out the European motherlands, and "South America" omits Mexico and Central America. "Hispanic" was unusable because it ignored millions of Portuguese speakers. I thought about using "Iberian culture," but this expression, while historically and culturally correct, is used almost exclusively in Spain.
Therefore I opted for "Latino." I have friends from almost every one of the countries referred to, and they readily refer to themselves as Latin Americans without the slightest hint of its being a derogatory expression. Likewise the Holy See has a special office for coordinating with the bishops of this region called the Commission for Latin America.
A Spaniard or Portuguese would not spontaneously refer to himself as "Latino," but he would accept that the term could be used to describe the common cultural and religious milieu shared with former colonies.
Another question from a Maltese priest referred to the place for hearing confession during Mass: "In a parish church, in the body of the church but somewhat hidden, a confessional has just been placed. Is it according to or against the spirit of the liturgy that during the Mass confession be celebrated in the church, even if the confessional is not seen by the faithful in the church? If the practice of hearing confessions in the body of the church during Mass is not according to some instruction or other, would it be acceptable if the confessional is, say, in the sacristy or in a room where confessions are also heard?"
I would suggest that if, as explained in the previous column, there is a true need for hearing confessions during Mass, then it is best done in a confessional within the body of the church so that those awaiting the sacrament can participate in as much of the Mass as possible. The sacristy is possible if those in line are waiting inside the church.
The confessional should be sufficiently soundproofed so that both priest and penitent can hear one another.
During our comments on hearing confession during Mass (see June 3), I mentioned that this practice is common in some "Latino" communities. A reader took umbrage at this statement and wrote: "It is about the use of the word 'Latino.' Perhaps, [a] less insulting would be the word 'Hispanic.' After all, the Romans (of the Roman Empire, who spoke Latin) never set foot on America."
It never crossed my mind that this word could be insulting to anyone, but then words can be tyrants or servants, depending on social contexts.
I admit that I chose the word as being the most apt for the context. I sought an expression that covered Spain, Portugal, Mexico, all Spanish-speaking Central and South American countries, and Portuguese-speaking Brazil.
The word "Latin America" leaves out the European motherlands, and "South America" omits Mexico and Central America. "Hispanic" was unusable because it ignored millions of Portuguese speakers. I thought about using "Iberian culture," but this expression, while historically and culturally correct, is used almost exclusively in Spain.
Therefore I opted for "Latino." I have friends from almost every one of the countries referred to, and they readily refer to themselves as Latin Americans without the slightest hint of its being a derogatory expression. Likewise the Holy See has a special office for coordinating with the bishops of this region called the Commission for Latin America.
A Spaniard or Portuguese would not spontaneously refer to himself as "Latino," but he would accept that the term could be used to describe the common cultural and religious milieu shared with former colonies.
Another question from a Maltese priest referred to the place for hearing confession during Mass: "In a parish church, in the body of the church but somewhat hidden, a confessional has just been placed. Is it according to or against the spirit of the liturgy that during the Mass confession be celebrated in the church, even if the confessional is not seen by the faithful in the church? If the practice of hearing confessions in the body of the church during Mass is not according to some instruction or other, would it be acceptable if the confessional is, say, in the sacristy or in a room where confessions are also heard?"
I would suggest that if, as explained in the previous column, there is a true need for hearing confessions during Mass, then it is best done in a confessional within the body of the church so that those awaiting the sacrament can participate in as much of the Mass as possible. The sacristy is possible if those in line are waiting inside the church.
The confessional should be sufficiently soundproofed so that both priest and penitent can hear one another.
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