Dancing at Mass QUESTION from A. Basto September 1, 2001
I'm sorry to bring the question of liturgical dancing up again but last Saturday, 1st september, I was watching the Catholic TV Channel of my cable operator here in Brazil (the Catholic Channel is maintained by some bodies of the Church and is called Rede Vida, or Life Net). They were broadcasting the Sacrifice of the Mass, presided over by the Apostolic Nuncio of the Holy See in Brazil. The Mass was a thanksgiving cerimony for the re-opening of a major cathedral in the city of Seo Luis after a long work for the restoration of the building.
At the moment of the Gospel Acclamation, a group of dancing girls entred the church, bringing the Holy Scripture with them, and they danced to the sound of a modern music (of thanksgiving, played by eletronic instruments, drums, etc). While they danced, they passed the Bible from one to another, and in the end they handed the Holy Bible to the Apostolic Nuncio. I was very impressed by the dancing during the Mass, not because it is uncommon, but because the representative of the Holy Father was present. Given that fact, I ask: is there any norm that excludes Brazil from the Church's bar on liturgical dancing?
ANSWER by Mr. Jacob Slavek on September 6, 2001
Dear Mr. Basto,
No problem, I am happy to discuss the subject of liturgical dancing whenever it becomes necessary.
There is no norm that excludes Brazil from the ban of liturgical dancing.
About the Mass that you have described: Was it the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass or a rock concert? Whenever this question needs to be considered in church, there is a SERIOUS problem. Those who planned the Mass attempted to replace that which is sacred with that which is secular.
Mr. Slavek
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