YOUR COMMENTS

Richard,you seem to have your own agenda,I'm not sure why you find nothing positive about the Church but all your comments are negative and an attack on either the bishop, pope,or a priest,perhpas you be better served in another place.I doubt that if any of the above walked on water you'd be happy.
Rick,Hampton
- rick, hampton

To those who want to 'jump" the fence and become Protestants by all means do so no one is keeping you here, God gave us all free will. As for those who seem to hate the Traditional Latin Mass please attend one and you might fall in love with it and with our Lord Jesus Christ, as a woman and of Vietnemese background I feel no need to become a priest It's God's will that the ordained be Men. Thank you Holy Father Pope Benedict the 16th for the restoration of the True Mass of all Times!!! Deo Gratias et Dominus Vobiscum!
- Mary Ann Nyguen, Las Vegas

I'm glad to see the responses are about the use of a liturgical rite rather than other issues...

And the responses seem to have the same presumptions of ignorance about why it is being allowed.

The Latin Mass is not a replacement, is not to promote an agenda nor is it a normative occurance. It is for those whose spirituality (that is why a group has to ask) will be enhanced by this liturgical rite.

Vatican II will still live and our faith will endure.
- Leonard Campbell, Center Harbor

This permission from the Pope is a true "sign of the times" that we must heed. Vatican II wanted Catholics to be more deeply acquainted with the Church's liturgy, not cut off from the Church's tradition.

The Council praised Latin, and ordered that Gregorian chant be given "pride of place" as the proper music for the Roman rite.

Now that Pope Benedict has freed the classical form of Mass from the restrictions that misguided bishops placed upon it, it can serve as an example. WIth its help, the modern form of Mass can become more beautiful, more expressive of God's glory, and more conducive to the holiness which is our calling as Christians.
- Richard Chonak, Stoneham, MA

These comments have been quite negative. The Traditional(Extraordinary)Latin Mass allows for a greater opportunity to meet Christ in a way that reaches deep into the human soul used for over 1500 years. Remember God loves you even when you might not understand Him and His Church, its magisterium or say(write) inaccurately about it for politicial purposes. God is Love!
- mike, concord

wow, these comments are surely 'interesting'. The Latin Mass is oppressive? The allowance of the Latin Mass will somehow 'polarize' the Church? Someone else is going to 'jump the fence' if it comes to their Parish?

The spirit of Vatican II was to have the layity MORE involved. There was nothing 'wrong' with the Latin Mass---or should I say there IS nothing wrong with it. Vatican II simply wanted the litrugy more accessable and understandable to everyone. Unfortunately they threw the baby out with the bathwater, so to speak.

I know during different liturgical seasons our parish has done the Lamb of God in Latin...very pretty. I grew up after the changes had been made---I welcome the chance to learn the Latin. I doubt that it would be my Mass of choice....but what a nice CHOICE to have.

And in regards to women in the priesthood....I find that is the card all liberals wish to play when they do not have a valid arguement.

Now, everyone play nice!
- Michelle, manchester

I'm assuming that the Mass in question is the Tridentine Mass and not just the Novo Ordo said in Latin. I've been to the latter several times, but I would like to experience a Tridentine Mass at least once. I think it's nice to have that option around - just like it's nice to have the Novo Ordo around in the various national languages - French, Polish, Spanish etc. which can seem just as foreign as Latin to a person a who does not speak those languages!
- Bess, Concord

Ed, Where in the world does God say that women cannot be priests? Additionally, if we cant to return to our roots, if you read your church history, women were deacons and priests well into the third century.
- Chris, Bedford

I think that the issues is not that the Mass will be said in Latin. Rather, the issue is a return to a time when the Church was oppressive. Pope JPII stated what Catholics are not supossed to try and convert members of the Jewish faith, yet the Latin Rite has jsut this prayer on Good Friday. Many see thsi as a move backwards.

To Bob: you said that people should "enjoy hearing the mass in latin." This is another problem. Worship is not just about "hearing", it is about participating and understanding.

Religion is NOT faith. All of these rules that become the focus of are exactly what Jesus himself fought against in his day.
- Chris, Bedford

So, Benedict is allowing the Tridentine Mass in Latin when groups of parishioners ask for it. Many parishioners have been asking for a revision of the church's position on issues of sexual morality, opening the priesthood to women and an end to mandatory celibacy as a requirement for ordination to priesthood. When is Benedict going to respond to those concerns? I will be waiting, but not expecting anything.
- Leo, Hooksett

Sorry Mr. Barrett you are only partly correct .The Liturgy and celibacy could be changed because they are pastoral church practices. The ban on Woman priests and gay activity are NO NO's directly from GOD(JESUS)
- Ed, Manchester

I am very excited about the Latin Mass. It doesn't have to happen every weekend but if the Churches in NH would have the Mass in Latin a few times year or more, it would be wonderful. I still have my 'missalette' from 1960's. Those who are against it never experienced the beauty of the language - it's deeply spiritual. I don't see this as a step back. Get over it you nay-sayers!
- Kate, Portsmouth

With all the many changes that could be made to step FORWARD with the Catholic church the pope decides to go the other way BACKWARDS. However, it does illustrate one thing. There can be woman priest, optional celibacy, birth control, and an affirming gay atmosphere. These of course would be changes too. And for those of you who say if you don't like the Latin mass don't go we offer you the same option when woman or any of these changes are upon the alter.
- Greg Barrett, Manchester

I was baptised a catholic but haven't been to the church in many years for various reasons. I really like the idea that they will offer the mass in latin, I may go to the one in Nashua just to hear it.

Why does it bother some of you? If you don't like it then you can always go to another RCC church that offers it in english.

Latin is a beautiful language and I wish more people would take the time to note that before bashing the church.

Even a lapsed catholic such as myself would enjoy hearing the mass in latin.
- Bob Hoskins, New Boston

If you are Catholic and against the Latin Mass, don't attend a Latin Mass. No one is forcing you to attend a Latin Mass. The Pope has only made it simpler for Pastors and parishioners to celebrate Mass in its Latin form. If you are not Catholic, your opinion does not count. I've read articles that contain negative comments from people of other faiths attacking the Pope for allowing a return to the Latin Mass.
Why are there so many people against Catholics practicing their religion as they see fit?
- Fred, Merrimack

I think it is wonderful to offer the Mass in Latin. There was nothing more beautiful than a Latin Mass. I wish I were there to attend it. Stop and think - Ave Maria is not English and people just love and request that song.
- Janice Ingalls, Huntsville, AL

Tom and Richard:

Chill out and think.

Both priests indicate that they are doing this because (wait for it) the people requested it.

YOu know, the lay people.

I would assume that the lay people who requested it do so for a reason, and I'd assume those reasons do not include:

1. "I want there to be a Traditional Latin Mass so I can take the time to go to it and not understand what is going on and ot participate"

2. "I am requesting a Latin Mass so I can be less a part of the Church. Which is adding this Mass because of my request."

It's just silly. I mean, are you guys for the laity or not? Or just the laity you agree with?

As for the divisiveness: I don't see any divisiveness in the words of the supporters quoted in the article. The only divisiveness I hear is coming from you guys.

Why don't you overcome that spirit of divisiveness by actually going to one of these Masses and being a part of that community for a bit?

I don't think they bite.
- Ted Grant, Manchester

I think this is a tempest in a teapot. For those who want it, they will have it. For those who don't they wont. The Extraordinary Rite is one rite among many rites that already exist in the Catholic Church, and within this diocese for that matter. Within the Diocese of Manchester you have the Maronite Rite, the Byzantine (both in Melkite and Ukrainian expression) Rites are practiced regularly. And if your'e willing to drive a few miles, the Armenian Rite and the Syro-Malabar Rite are also available to you, if you so choose. Even within the Roman Rite (which is what we are talking about here, there has been allowed variations allowed; including the Mozararibic and Ambrosian Rites. And the Extraordinary Rite never went away completely. It was available if you really went looking and were willing to travel. Again, for those who want it, they can have it. And those who do want (I am not one of them) are no more, or less, ‘divisive’ than those who participate in any of the above mentioned Rites now.
- Peter G., Hillsboro

The Catholic Churh wonders why it can't keep its members.....Down here in Florida, non denominational churches are bursting at the seams. Many Catholics have hopped the fence mainly because of this and other restrictive moves by the Catholic hierarchy. Ricidulous! As a Catholic, if Latin reutrns to my parish, I will be jumping the fence also.
- L Croteau, Wellington

As a practicing Catholic I am begging bishop McCormack to please set his ego aside and step down. There has been enough damage done to the Diocese and it is time to get someone that will bring back Catholic values and is willing to promote the faith. It appears you will be content to see the Catholic faith in NH dwindle as long as you are still in control. Enough already, WWJD
- JL, Manchester

I am concerned that this new directive from Rome will bring about the very thing Pope John Paul II wanted to avoid: further polarization in the Church, this time over liturgy. After the initial novelty wears off, will we be left with two groups doubting the Catholicity of the other, one group longing for a simplier time, when the mysteries of the faith were proclaimed with limited scripture selections, without the participation of females, in a language no longer used by the majority of people, and the other group celebrating in a common tongue, with a 3-year cycle of scripture readings, where greater participation is open to everyone?
Should there be greater solemenity during mass? Of course. Can the mass be conducted in such a way that there is an increased appreciation for what takes place ? Yes. But I question whether reverting to a by-gone era style of worship, no matter how venerable it may be, is the way to bring peple back to a Church that, unfortunately, has, to many, grown more and more irrelevant.
- Tom Cloutier, SFO, Manchester

What a foolish decision to allow Latin masses again. This pope is so regressive he will set the RC Church back further than what it was pre Vatican Council II. The mass is the people joining in common worship of God in a language that they all understand. I would venture to day that the majority who will be attending these regressive ceremonies have very little if no undertanding of Latin much less most of the priest in this diocese. Latin has been a dead language for centuries and allowing the return to that liturgy will further distance the laity from the real meaning of Mass. Why on earth Bishop McCormack even gave permission for this is incomprensible, his judgement in this is flawed like his stone walling of the state of NH on their request for all the pertinent information on the pedophilia that was covered up for years. Our Diocese needs new Bishops and the two that we have now should be put out to pasture.
- Richard L. Fortin, Manchester