Reason 8

8. Because “amongst the best of the clergy the practical result (of the New Mass) is an agonizing crisis of conscience . . .”* (Same citation as #3).


This objection comes with a serious lack of information. Who are the “best of the clergy,” what kind of “crisis of conscience” are they having, and why are they having it? It could just as easily say that “amongst the brightest of scientists the practical result is an agonizing uncertainty” and carry essentially the same amount of real meaning.

First and foremost, I have heard very little direct evidence from clergy that there was a “crisis of conscience” following the revision of the Liturgy. I have not seen a single other statement suggesting such a crisis occurred among all the “best of the clergy” (as the phrasing here suggests) though I have no doubt that there were priests whom this could be said about.

“Crisis of conscience” proves to be an equally problematic concept. It may simply mean that these aforementioned clergy could not celebrate the New Mass in clear conscience, but if that is the case, the question quickly is why? Do they believe it invalid, or that it is simply a less reverent form of the Mass? Or do they think it will lead the laity astray or wound their faith?

This reason offers, in the end, almost no real statement of value. It suggest many things but refuses to expand on them, leaving us completely at a loss to what is being said. One may do well to note that there is almost no record of priests surrendering their ministry as a result of this change and yet nearly all choose to follow the revision of the liturgy.

There may be some validity here but the phrasing and shortness of this reason obscures it completely, leaving only an all but meaningless sentence.