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1. At last someone who sees 'concelebration' as something that might have been pushed too far. As one of the innumerable Holy Mass-loving Catholics, can I suggest that perhaps, just perhaps, there are times when, rather than concelebrate, priests might say another Mass or two. Couldn’t such priests, bishops etc. give further opportunities for us Mass-deprived souls to attend Mass?
   Please, dear priests and bishops, look at us, “those of us who sit in the pews”.
   Many of us no longer have the opportunity to attend Monday Masses, Saturday Masses, octave masses of Christmas and Easter, summer month masses etc. etc.
   Have pity on us and say more masses if you possibly can.

   Posted By: Yvonne Gusdal

2. Is this the same Cardinal who loves great big cappa magnas?

   Posted By: Leo Francis Donnelly

3. What is wrong with priests being seen to be a part of the liturgy along with the rest of us?
   I thought that the Mass was a celebration of the Word and Eucharist for the betterment of all people. Perhaps I am wrong but I have always believed that I was a part of the 'royal priesthood' by way of my baptism.
   However, reading the comments from Cardinal Raymond Burke and others, the impression given is that they (the priests) are better than us poor mortals.

   Posted By: Jeff Kevin

4. From the congregation's point of view, the danger of the over-use of concelebration is the opposite to that voiced by Cardinal Burke.
   Often the concelebrating priests give the impression that they are conducting a ceremony among and for each other, with the congregation reduced to mere spectators. This is especially so when there is an extended pause as they all take Communion under both kinds.
   Concelebration is often a good thing, but one can have too much of a good thing.
   Sadly, the default assumption seems to be that whenever a priest attends a Mass he must concelebrate it.
   Even if it would result in his celebrating more than the maximum permitted number of Masses on that day (normally rwo on Sundays and one on weekdays).
   There was only one Christ at the Last Supper, and on the Cross, and at the Resurrection.

   Posted By: Peter G

5. I see concelebration to be a sign of the unity of the concelebrants.
   All clergy, from priests all the way to the one sitting in the Chair of Peter, should remember that our priesthood is not for ourselves.
   We are ordained to serve Christ and His People.
   If we think priesthood is for our own agrandizement, we might well be on the path to perdition.
   Still, if priests are at a celebration where Eucharist is being celebratd, why not concelebrate together, not as a sign of placing ourselves over and above the rest of thecongregation, but as an action we are privileged to engage in on behalf of and with them?

   Posted By: Fr. Dennis Ackeret

6. I often feel that, where there are excess priests at a Mass, more good could be done if one of them was present in the confessional than concelebrating.
   So many Catholics these days are unaware of our need for the often forgotten sacrament of confession and the grace it gives us to rid ourselves of sin. Any opportunity to increase its availabilty to congregations should be taken.

   Posted By: Nicholas Smith

7. When I saw the headline I thought the Cardinal-Archbishop of Sydney had made this pronouncement so I must apologise to Cardinal Pell as our local Church does not enjoy the 'luxury' of concelebrations.
   Perhaps Cardinal Burke could address pastoral issues of relevance to the Australian Church at the next liturgical conference.

   Posted By: kim crawford

8. Please, Cardinal... Please!

   Posted By: Gary Patterson

9. Leo: Yes that is the very same Cardinal.
   Seems as though in some circes that love of the cappa magna and the solo Mass are like love and marriage going together like a horse and carriage as the Andrews Sisters trilled so long ago. Well, they know better now and so do we.
   It seems to be a traditionalist view that the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass has to be a solo flight with all eyes trained on the celebrant ad orientem, naturally).
   To me, participation in the Mass is the essence of corporate prayer rather than a spectacle. While we're at it, why not bring on the ikonostasis?
   Lord forbid that confession during Mass become the vogue as it was in my Triddie youth.
   It used to be a great excuse for kids to get on the queue to be shriven rather than fidget in the pew at the risk of being cuffed by Mum or Dad; sort of a sacramental double-dipping i.e. get the whole kit and caboodle out of the way in one hit rather than queue up Saturday arvo.

   Posted By: JR,Sydney

10. I am always glad when our Priests concelebrate.
    What a marvelous gift to us. I have always felt that the more Priests participating means we all receive greater blessings, because they are in unity offering the Holy sacrifice of the Mass.
    Thank these marvellous sons of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, that God would be glorified in and through them.
    Please pray for and with them everyday.

    Posted By: Theresa Lewis

11. As a Layman, I strongly support Fr Dennis' view.
    Nicholas: The former practice of having reconciliation during Mass is now discouraged as the practice detracts from the importance of the Mass.

    Posted By: Gavin

12. Wot, Nicholas! Confession to be offered while Mass is being celebrated?
    Please don't bring back this discredited example of an undeveloped sacramentology, thereby undoing the good work of at least three generations of catechists since Vatican II.
    We'll be saying the Rosary at Mass next, reintroducing genuflection for Communion and bringing back the rood screen and altar rails!
    Cardinal Burke's liturgical reforms speak volumes about his conservative theology and will surely result in fewer people receiving the Eucharist. That can hardly be a good thing if Christ's ultimate sacrifice is for us all.

    Posted By: Michael Furtado

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