Response of John McCARTHY, Bishop of Kaduna, Nigeria

Eminentia,

Pergratum est mihi commissioni suprascriptae aliqua ad praxim pastoralem et ad res generatim liturgicas pertinentia subicere:

De lingua liturgica.

Quo fideles in terra missionaria, melius intellegentes quae agantur, maiore cum studio actionibus sacris intersint, suadendum videtur ut praesertim in iis quae sequuntur regionis linguae usus sit:

a) In lectionibus quarum finis est fidelium instructio, ita quidem ut, nulla praevia lectione latina, haec populo immediate fiant.

b) In salutationibus fidelium et sacerdotum ad invicem et orationibus pro invicem.

c) In hymnis et canticis populi.

In sermone vulgari utendo maiore libertate desideramus ita ut, ubi locorum plures linguae, omnibus vero una communis vigeat (lingua gallica), ad maiores fructus pastorales percipiendos, sacerdos aut lector aut populus pro frequentiore sua huius linguae consuetudine, tum ista tum illa uti possit.

Multis enim in Nigeriae Septentrionalis partibus, in oppidis anglice, ruri vero lingua Hausa, lingua omnibus tribubus cognita, instructio et concionatio fiunt et confessiones excipiuntur, et itaque permissionem his linguis extensius utendi petimus. Bene notandum vero nos haud quaquam velle sermonem latinum, praesertim in Missa, tamquam sermonem liturgicum abolere, sed quo spectatis loci conditionibus effectus missionarius amplior expectandus esset, his tantum in actionibus sacris extensiorem usum sermonum vulgarium nos desiderare quarum in partem populus veniat.

Hodie multis in Nigeriae Septentrionalis regionibus maioris et humanioris gentis imprimis Hausarum sermo minorum gentium succedit sermonibus adeo modernarum vocum egestate laborantibus ut nonnisi maxima cum difficultate populus in iis doceri possit. 

De Missa.

Liceat fidelibus Ordinarii Missae partes hucusque latine cantatas, necnon Asperges et Vidi Aquam, non autem ulla verba Canonis ab Hanc Igitur usque ad Pater Noster exclusive, sermone vel sermonibus ab Ordinario loci determinatis cantare. 

In Missa Catechumenorum denuo ad catechesim impertiendam instituta celebrans in plano adversus populum stet, et omnia ab eo, vel nesciente eo populi sermonem, a lectore ab ecclesiastica auctoritate rite comprobato legantur.

Lectiones, cantus, responsoria a sacris ministris, a choro aut a lectoribus dicta aut cantata a celebrante iteranda non sint.

Numerus pericopum augeri possit ita ut, mutato cyclo annuali epistolarum evangeliorumque in cyclum maiorem, puta quadriennalem, sacrae scripturae thesauri fusius impertiantur.

Videtur etiam missionariis opus esse privilegio alias lectiones temporis locique conditionibus accomodatas deligendi.

In locum cantuum Missae propriorum perpetuo variantium (Introitus, Graduale, Offertorium, Communio) substituerentur cantus aut hymni cum verbis modisque musicis simplicibus qui cyclis liturgicis (paschali, pentecostali, natalitio et aliis) consonent.

Suadendum etiam ut restauretur Oratio Fidelium sermone vulgari dicenda, cum ad mentem universalis tum loci ecclesiae necnon pro bono civitatis omniumque fidelium qui Missae intersint.

Processio saltem vicaria fidelium ad altare pro offertorio foveri possit, et, quo clarius effulgeat ineuntis sacrificii liturgici symbolismus, orationes sacerdotis simplificentur, ipse vero lavando manus actionem incipiat populo interim sermone vulgari preces instar litanias cantante.

De Rituali.

Rituale Romanum semper totum textum latinum contineat sed et maximum sermonis vulgaris quo uti liceat.

Ordo Baptismi adultorum: Caeremoniae baptismi adultorum non omnes eodem tempore sed interstitiis dum hi catechumeni sint habeantur.

Quo clarius fidelibus arguatur confirmationis sacramenti character maximi momenti esse, quaedam introductoria caeremonia in dialogo cantuque sermone vulgari consistens, sacramentum conferendum praecedat et Rituali inscribatur.

Concedenda videtur etiam licentia, quam praecedat accuratissimum studium, introducendi in Rituale alicuius regionis veteres indigenarum caeremonias traditas occasione sponsalium aut matrimonii contrahendi aut sepulturae habendae necnon et mores pro tempore anni recurrentes.

De Ordine.

Pro minimo optamus ut ritu liturgico, sacrum mandatum docendi fidem, conferatur. Utilissimum vero nobis videtur paulatim ordines minores, praesertim lectoris, ad pristinum honorem sed forma hodiernis conditionibus accommodata restaurare et diaconatum denuo permanentem ut olim propriis officiis fungi.

De Sacra Hebdomada.

Ritus hebdomadae quod attinet maiorem libertatem in deligendis horis pro locis campestribus desideramus rogamusque ut, essentialibus Missae partibus exceptis, ad omnes preces sermone vulgari uti liceat.

Interim Eminentiae Tuae impensos animi sensus ex corde profiteor et saluto in Domino Tuasque preces in opus meum peto meque profiteor Eminentiae Tuae

add.mum
+ IOANNES McCARTHY
Episcopus Kadunaensis

Eminence,

I am very pleased to propose to the entitled commission some things pertaining to pastoral practice and general liturgical matters.

Concerning liturgical language.

In order that the faithful in missionary land may have a better understanding of what is being done, and participate in the sacred activities with greater devotion, it seems good to be recommended that the language of the region be used especially in what follows:

a) In the readings whose end is the instruction of the people, so indeed that, these are read immediately to the people, without any previous reading in Latin.

b) In the salutations of the faithful and priests to each other and prayers for one another.

c) In hymns and songs of the people.

In the common language good to be used, we desire greater liberty so that, where [there are] several local languages, yet one that is common to everyone prevails (Gallic language), in order to gain greater pastoral fruits, the priest, the lector, or the people, due to their more frequent usage of this language, can use it at one time and the local languages at another.

For in many parts of Northern Nigeria, instruction and preaching are carried out, and confessions are heard in English in the towns, and in the countryside, however, in the Hausa language, a language known to all tribes, and so we ask for permission to use these languages more extensively. It should be well noted, on the other hand, that we by no means whatsoever wish to abolish the Latin language as a liturgical language, especially in the Mass, but considering the conditions of a locality where greater missionary effect would be expected, we need a more extended use of the common languages only in these sacred activities wherein the people may play a part.

Today, in many regions of Northern Nigeria, the language of the larger and more civilized tribe, especially the Hausa, takes the place of the languages of the smaller tribes – languages suffering from the lack of modern expressions to such an extent that the people can only be taught in these languages with the greatest difficulty.

Concerning the Mass.

Let the faithful be permitted to sing the parts of the Ordinary Mass hitherto sung in Latin, as well as Asperges and Vidi Aquam, in the language or languages determined by the local Ordinary, but not any words of the Canon from Hanc Igitur to Our Father exclusively.

Again, in the Mass of Catechumens instituted for the purpose of imparting catechetical instruction, let the officiating minister stand on a plain facing the people, and everything may be read by him, or when he is unfamiliar with the language of the people, they are read by a lector duly approved by the ecclesiastical authority.

The readings, chants, and responsories said by the sacred ministers, by the choir, by the lectors, or sung by the celebrant should not be repeated.

The number of pericopes could be increased in such a way that, by changing the annual cycle of the epistles and the Gospels into a larger cycle, for instance, a quadrennial one, the treasures of sacred scripture may be shared more broadly.

It also seems that missionaries need the privilege of selecting other readings adjusted to the conditions of time and place.

In place of the special chants of the Mass that vary constantly (Introitus, Graduale, Offertorium, Communio), chants or hymns with simple musical words and rhythms that may correspond with the liturgical cycles (Easter, Pentecost, Christmas, and others) might be substituted.

It is also to be recommended that the Prayer of the Faithful be restored to be said in the common language since it is for the intention of the universal and local church as well as for the good of the state and of all the faithful who take part in the Mass.

At least the vicarious procession of the faithful to the altar for offertory could be encouraged, and in order that the symbolism of the starting liturgical sacrifice may shine forth more brightly, let the priest’s prayers be simplified, he himself however, by washing his hands, may begin the action for the people at the same time by singing prayers like litanies in a common language.

Concerning Ritual.

Let the Roman ritual always contain the entire Latin text, but also as much of the common language where the use is permitted.

The Order of Adult Baptism: Let all the ceremonies of the baptism of adults not be held at the same time, but at intervals, while these are catechumens.

To more clearly demonstrate to the faithful that the character of the sacrament of Confirmation is of the utmost importance, let a certain introductory ceremony consisting of dialogue and singing in the common language precede the conferring of the sacrament, and may it be inscribed in the Ritual.

Permission also seems good to be granted, what the most accurate study may precede, of introducing in the Ritual of any region the ancient indigenous ceremonies handed down on the occasion of betrothals, contracting marriage, or of having a burial, as well as the customs recurring for the season of the year.

Concerning [Holy] Orders.

At the very least we wish that the sacred mandate of teaching the faith be conferred in the liturgical rite. To be sure, it seems most useful to us to gradually restore the minor orders, especially the lector, to their pristine honor, but in a form adapted to the present conditions, and the permanent diaconate once again in order to perform their former duties.

Concerning the Holy Week.

Regarding the rite of the week, we desire greater liberty in choosing hours for plain areas and we request that, except for the essential parts of the Mass, it may be permitted to use the common language at all prayers.

In the meantime, I profess to Your Eminence my earnest sentiments from the heart, and I salute You in the Lord, I also ask for your prayers for my work, and I profess myself to Your Eminence

Most devoted
+ JOHN McCARTHY
Bishop of Kaduna