Jubilee 2025: Bishop corrects corrupt customs in the liturgy in Spain

The Bishop of Asidonia-Jerez (Spain), Bishop José Rico, has issued a decree in which he underlines the obligation to assume the indications included in a recent pastoral letter on the occasion of the beginning of the new liturgical year and the preparation of the Jubilee 2025.

In the pastoral letter, titled Let us go out to meet Christ, our hopeBishop Rico urges his parishioner to prepare for the Ordinary Jubilee next year and also to celebrate in 2030 the 50 years of the creation of the diocese and the second millennium of the Redemption in 2033.

In addition, he called to “accommodate life to the rhythm of the liturgical year”, recalled that “the expressions of popular piety are disfigured and lose authenticity when they try to live outside the liturgy” and that the sacraments of Christian initiation should not be celebrated. , with exceptions, during Lent.

Secondly, the prelate called attention “to correct two widespread practices in our Diocese that disfigure the truth of Sunday: the celebration of Sunday Mass on Saturday at noon and the celebration of the so-called ‘brotherhood masses’ or of the group itself or movement, on Sunday.”

In this sense, he recalled that the Eve Masses cannot be held before 5:00 p.m. and that the Lord’s Supper on Holy Thursday must be held “at dusk” while the Easter Vigil, “late at night.”

Regarding the mandatory Eucharist on Sunday, the prelate expressed that “experiencing Sunday Mass always alone with one’s own group does not help to strengthen communion among all the faithful.”

You cannot deny communion in the mouth

Thirdly, the Bishop of Asidonia-Jerez pointed out in the letter that “it is surprising that we must continue to remember that it is not justified to deny the faithful communion in the mouth” and that “the liturgical norm leaves the communicant, not the minister, choose the way to receive communion, kneeling or standing, in the mouth or in willing hands.”

The last liturgical recommendation stressed that “the reaction of those who are surprised when they are reminded of the need to be confirmed to be godparents for baptism or confirmation, to get married or to assume certain responsibilities in the Church in the area of ​​the Brotherhoods is incomprehensible. , catechism or school religious teaching.”

“It is not necessary to establish rules on what is already legislated by universal law. You only have to comply with what is established in the Code of Canon Law,” added the prelate.

“Binding nature” of the guidelines

Last Wednesday, December 11, thirteen days after the pastoral letter was published, Mons. Rico has published a decree with the aim of “clearing any doubt about the binding nature” of the guidelines contained in the first document.

In his introductory paragraph, Bishop Rico recalls that the bishop “must promote the discipline that is common to the entire Church, and therefore demand compliance with all ecclesiastical laws” and that “he must ensure that abuses are not introduced.” in ecclesiastical discipline, especially regarding the ministry of the word, the celebration of sacraments and sacramentals, the worship of God and the Saints and the administration of goods” as established in the Code of Canon Law.

It also emphasizes that, as stated in the General Ordination of the Roman Missal, “the diocesan Bishop, as the first dispenser of the mysteries of God, is the moderator, promoter and custodian of all liturgical life in the Church particular to him.” confident.”

Thus, it transforms the content of the pastoral letter into a decree with 8 articles that will come into force on December 29, 2024, “Feast of the Holy Family and beginning in the Dioceses of the Ordinary Jubilee of the Year 2025.”