Is Church reverting to pre-Vatican II times?

I read and re-read Fr Peter Serracino Inglott’s reply to Miriam Vincenti’s first question in the article ‘When the Pope is caught singin’ in the rain’ (The Sunday Times, September 11). In it he recalled the “joys and enthusiasm” of Vatican II, a clear reference to Vatican II’s pastoral document Gaudium et Spes.

This very brief remark was elaborated upon later on in his reply. When quoting from The Tablet, Fr Peter’s weighty reference to pre-Vatican II times, and more specifically to the times of Pius XII, evoked in me a sense of disillusion.

I would like to think that I have not misunderstood Fr Peter’s remarks: to me they are the most outspoken – and hence revealing – reflections on my Church I ever came across in any of the Maltese media: a brave shot indeed. And for this we should all be grateful. Thank you, Fr Peter!

Alas, come 1968, and the climacteric watershed of Humanae Vitae is reached. To me, it marks the first unmistakable milestone in the reverse process to Vatican II. Hindsight tends to confirm my suspicion.

I may be wrong, but my fear is that since then my Church has never been the same; it was torn asunder. The tragic story surrounding the drawing up and promulgation of this document of Pope Paul VI goes beyond the scope of this letter.

In my younger days, it was unheard of to think, let alone express, any opinion flying in the face of what reached us from above. Those were the Ottaviani days. Our duty was to pay, pray and obey. Vatican II was indeed our “joy and hope”.

Fr Peter referred to Mgr Guido Marini, the new papal master of ceremonies. Since his appointment as successor to his near namesake Mgr (Archbishop) Piero Marini, things seemingly started to change.

Fr Peter mused on the possibility that the attempt to go back to the time of Pius XII – in the use of the Latin liturgy becoming more and more baroque – was manifest in Spain.

This has been evident not only lately in rainy Spain, but for quite some time, also elsewhere...

The excuse, that the partial restoration of the Tridentine Mass – via a Papal Motu Proprio – as a sign of goodwill towards the Lefebvrist faction, to me is unconvincing.

Trivial as it may seem, the (c)overt re-introduction of laces, frills and flounces in clerical ceremonial vestments, as can be seen in the current, more elaborate pontifical attire – perhaps more pronounced since Mgr Guido Marini’s appointment – reveals an attitude of mind redolent of pre-Vatican II times.

The snag is that one small insignificant change, more often than not, may lead to another more daring attempt: in short, the proverbial slippery slope. What worries me is what lies behind these moves.

If my worries are founded, then the future does not augur well for my Church. My hopeful prayer in my twilight years for my Church, in which thankfully I was providentally born, is to stop, think and act.