The Protestant Observers and the Compilation of the Novus Ordo
Oct 17, 2004
From The Order of Melchisedech. A Defence of the Catholic Priesthood, by Michael Davies, 1979 and 1993.
On 3 May 1970 Documentation Catholique published the text of a speech made by Pope Paul VI to the members of the Consilium, the body responsible for implementing the very generalized principles of liturgical reform included in the Liturgy Constitution of Vatican II.
The cover of this issue of Documentation Catholique was devoted to a picture of Pope Paul VI posing with the six Protestant Observers who had been invited to participate in the work of the Consilium.
This photograph proved to be a source of astonishment and even scandal to large numbers of the faithful who had had no idea that Protestants had played any part in the compilation of the new Catholic rites. It resulted in public controversy in a number of countries, which was followed by official denials that the Observers had, in fact, played any part in the compilation of the new rites.
In contrast with this Mgr. W.W. Baum (now Cardinal Baum), an ardent ecumenist, made the following statement in a personal interview with the Detroit News on 27 June 1967:
“They are not simply there as observers, but as consultants as well, and they participate fully in the discussions on Catholic liturgical renewal. It wouldn't mean much if they just listened, but they contributed.” (My emphasis).
In order to place this statement in its correct context it must be made clear that, at the time he made it, Mgr. Baum was executive director of the American Catholic Bishops' Commission on Ecumenical Affairs, and the first Catholic spokesman ever invited to address the General Synod of the United Church of Christ, an American Protestant denomination. During his address he revealed to the delegates that Protestant scholars "have had a voice" in the revision of the Catholic liturgy. As a follow-up to this revelation, Harold Acharhem, Religious Correspondent of the Detroit News, obtained the interview with Mgr. Baum from which I have quoted.
The account given by Cardinal Baum, and the denials issued by Archbishop Bugnini and the Vatican Press Office are clearly contradictory.
The Protestant Observers and the Compilation of the Novus Ordo