PLAN FOR LITURGY CHANGES SOON

Catholic Herald Reporter
T HE Bishops of England and
Wales will soon be publishing plans for changes in the Mass and Sacraments as a result of the Vatican Council's Liturgical Constitution. A "much greater" use of the vernacular will be introduced.
Archbishop Grirrishaw of Birmingham, the Hierarchy's spokesman on liturgical matters, went to Rome on Tuesday to clear up final details. A further meeting of the Hierarchy in a few weeks time is expected to approve the final decree.
But implementation of the decree must await a new Instruction now being prepared in Rome. The Hierarchy, in a statement issued on their behalf by Archbishop Heenan of Westminster, say that they have loyally followed the lead of the Holy Father.
Commenting on public criticism of their attitude to liturgical changes, they say that it is often impossible without breach of confidence for bishops to justify their actions.
While declining to comment on what has happened in other countries, the Bishops imply that changes there were either unauthorised or based on earlier permissions.
The full text of the statement, dated April 10, is as follows: "In a letter dated 25th March 1964, Cardinal Lercaro, President of the Liturgical Commission, has informed the bishops of the whole world that a new Instruction is in course of preparation. This will guide National Conferences of Bishops in drawing up formal decrees for implementing the Constitution of the Vatican Council De sacra liturgia. The letter provides in outline directions which will be more fully developed in the Instruction itself. Its object is to enable hierarchies to continue their preparatory work while awating publication of the Instruction itself.
"The Cardinal stresses that it is inopportune for any hierarchy to ask for modifications, omissions or variations in the present liturgical forms. The Commission is already engaged upon a complete revision of the liturgy.
Proposals
'Reforms of the liturgy, the Cardinal tells us, will proceed gradually and must be put into effect with great prudence and circumspection. This is necessary, he says, if, in the long run, the reforms are to contribute to the dignity of the liturgy and the edification of the faithful. National Conferences of Bishops are specifically asked not to publish their decisions until these have been confirmed by the Holy See.
"Pending publication of the promised Instruction, therefore, the hierarchy is not at liberty to announce full details of its proposals. The bishops have been at work for many months preparing decrees for the approval of the Continued on Back page, col. 3