Rights of Laity
~ Undue experimentation, changes and creativity bewilder the faithful.
~ The Second Vatican Council’s admonition in this regard must be remembered: No person, even if he be a priest, may add, remove or change anything in the liturgy on his own authority.
~ And Paul VI of venerable memory stated that: Anyone who takes advantage of the reform to indulge in arbitrary experiments is wasting energy and offending the ecclesial sense.
Sacred Congregation for the Sacraments and Divine Worship, Instruction Concerning Worship of the Eucharistic Mystery (Inaestimabile Donum, 1980), foreword. (Pope John Paul II)
~ Liturgy is a constitutive element of the holy and living Tradition. For this reason no sacramental rite may be modified or manipulated at the will of the minister or the community. Even the supreme authority in the Church may not change the liturgy arbitrarily, but only in the obedience of faith and with religious respect for the mystery of the liturgy.
Catechism of the Catholic Church 1994 (1124-1125)
~ Beware lest any man cheat you by philosophy, and vain deceit; according to the tradition of men, according to the elements of the world, and not according to Christ...
Colossians 2:8
~ Therefore, brethren, stand fast; and hold the traditions which you have learned, whether by word, or by our epistle.
2 Thessalonians 2:14
Responsibilities of the Laity - what you must do
Common Abuses of Liturgy - what you should look for
Resources - additional detailed resources on the liturgy
