There is a divergence of opinion here which is fine. We are living in the "New Springtime" so nearly anything goes.



I have no disagreement regarding the point of "giving witness." At the same time, are there any limits? Will someone say mass on the beach to "give witness"? Will someone say mass in the forest to "give witness"? Will someone have their wedding underwater in SCUBA gear or … More

We live in a time where there is widespread insensitivity for the sacred in our culture—and obviously in our parishes.

There is a divergence of opinion here which is fine. We are living in the "New Springtime" so nearly anything goes.I have no disagreement regarding the point of "giving witness." At the same time, are there any limits? Will someone say mass on the beach to "give witness"? Will someone say mass in the forest to "give witness"? Will someone have their wedding underwater in SCUBA gear or skydiving in their parchutes to "give witness"? By the way, all of these things and many more innovative things have been done already by Catholics. I am absolutly positive that all parties involved had wonderful reasons why their personal preferences trumped established norms of behavior and reverence for the sacred with one of the reasons being to "give witness."But, not me. I'm willing to admit that I may be wrong. After all, I attend the Tridentine Mass whenever possible. Among Cathoics, I would probably be considered to be a bells & smells, no-nonsense, ultra conservative. Therefore, it's obvious that displaying the Blessed Sacrament in this manner would not be as attractive to me as it would be to someone else less "rigid" in their thinking.-----------------------------------Regarding what is or is not "profane" I offer the following from Catholic Answers.Re: How does the church define 'profane'?Dear E,“Profane” as an adjective is defined: “showing irreverence toward God or sacred things.” Certainly, there are degrees of the profane just as there are degrees of the sacred.What happens on that altar is the most sacred event that takes place on the face of the earth. You don’t turn the altar into a utility table for a projector or anything else. The fact that the projector is being used to project the words of hymns (which are sacred) does not elevate it to the sacredness of the altar. That which is more sacred is not to be used in the service of anything less sacred. This is why canon 1239 reserves the altar for the offering of the sacrifice of the Mass and nothing else!We live in a time where there is widespread insensitivity for the sacred in our culture—and obviously in our parishes.Fr. Vincent Serpa, O.P.-------------------------------------------------------I would like to call your attention to the very last line in Fr. Serpa's response:I don't think any of us would, in general terms, disagree with Fr. Serpa's comment. What we obviously disagree with is whether or not this public spectacle rasies the sensitivity for the sacred or diminishes it. I happen to think it's the latter.