Customer Reviews

Reform of the Reform?: A Liturgical Debate : Reform or Return

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...that I have read so far. Hard to understand why it isn't more widely known The main text is structured as a debate between a conservative reformer and a Traditionalist "returner." It is clear that Rev. Kocik's sympathy lies with the former, but both get a fair shake. A central section offers a rare chance to assess the 1970 post-Vatican II missal that was later supplanted; Kocik convincingly argues that that this reform was much closer to what the Council actually had in mind, and might be a good place to start looking for correctives. An appendix by M.J. Stravinkas calls for the creation of a "new liturgical movement" that culminate in the drafting of a new missal that would be presented to Rome not as a possible replacement for the Novus Ordo but as an "alternative implementation of Vatican II with equal status and recognition." It does not appear that this movement ever got off the ground. But there's still time.

As a Catholic favoring a more progressive interpretation of the liturgy reform proposed by Vatican Council II, I found this book a good explanation of the conservative positions. For those who believe that the current form of the Roman Mass represents an unwarranted and liberal interpretation of the intentions of Vatican II - one that marked an unfortunate break with Catholic tradition - the author presents enough material that can be used to support this conclusion. However, one can find much supporting argumentation that overall the current liturgy incorporates needed reforms, some of which were already being initiated by Pope Pius XII.

I found the first three chapters particularly infomative where the author presents brief summaries of: (1) the traditionalist position, (2) the reformist position, and (3) a longer fictitious debate between these opponents that covers in detail many of the polarizing issues increasingly heard in Catholic circles. This was a very balanced presentation.

The remaining half of the book, an epiloge and several appendices, more consistently makes the traditionalist case for returning to wider use of the Traditional Latin Mass (with minor modification) along with proposals for "undoing" several features of the current Mass (deemed to be unwarranted) in order to bring it more closely in line with the pre-Vatican II liturgy. Readers on either side of the liturgy debate will find much in this book that is thought-provoking and emotionally engaging.

Father Kocik has done a spectacular job of presenting a very difficult subject - the liturgical "war" within the Catholic Church. This book has helped lead me toward a greater understanding of "how we got where we are" and what exists today in regards to the "people behind the liturgy". Kocik, like myself a "reform of the reform" theologian, presents ALL sides equally and well. I recommend this book for anyone desiring a look into the history and future of Catholic liturgy.