Posted by Chancery Paranaque on Wednesday, April 27, 2016

STATEMENT ON THE KNEELING INSTRUCTION OF CBCP

CHANCERY PARANAQUE·THURSDAY, APRIL 28, 2016

DOP CIRCULAR NO. 2016 – 029

27 April 2016

ATTENTION: All Parish Priests, Parochial Vicars, Rectors of Shrines, Parish Administrators, Parish CLPR Coordinator

SUBJECT: STATEMENT ON THE KNEELING INSTRUCTION OF CBCP

Dear Fathers, Monsignori, Brothers and Sisters:

Peace!

On March 19, 2016, Archbishop Socrates Villegas, President of the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines and Ordinary of the Archdiocese of Lingayen, Dagupan, released a statement regarding the restoration of the posture of kneeling during the entire Eucharistic Prayer until right before the Lord’s Prayer of the Mass. The current practice of churches in the dioceses of the Philippines is to kneel at the beginning of the Institution Narrative and Consecration of the Eucharistic Prayer and to stand after the Memorial Acclamation. After the instruction was issued, a number of parishes and dioceses have already made changes in the said postures of the mass.
Over the recent weeks, some of the priests and faithful in the parishes of our own diocese have raised the concern of when we are to follow the aforementioned directive. For this reason, the Liturgy Commission Directors of the Metropolitan See of Manila, including the Suffragan dioceses, as well the professors of the San Beda College Graduate School of Liturgy convened a meeting last March 31, 2016 at San Carlos Seminary in order to discuss the various elements covered by the statement. Some plans were likewise presented as to its proper implementation and the preparation of an accompanying liturgical catechesis was considered. It was however, agreed upon by the Directors of Liturgy of the Archdiocese of Manila and the Suffragan Dioceses (including Paranaque), to maintain the status quo in view of the posture of the Mass, that is, to kneel for the Institution Narrative and Consecration, and to stand after the Memorial Acclamation. This is to be sustained until an exhaustive study has been made and a solid liturgical catechesis has been prepared to accompany the instruction.

The decision to maintain the status quo in no way intends to manifest disobedience to the venerable bishops of the Philippines. It is rather aimed at strengthening the full, conscious, and active participation of the faithful in our liturgical celebrations, especially the Eucharist, the source and summit of our Christian lives. A deep and thorough understanding of the various elements of the liturgy, in this case, the postures of prayer, is our true objective and the aim toward which our efforts are directed. The liturgy, after all is the moment where God is ultimately glorified, and we humans, in Christ’s name, are sanctified.

Please be guided accordingly.

May God bless you and your community.

Sincerely yours,
REV. FR. JOHN FRANCIS FREDERICK MANLAPIG
Chairperson, DOP-CLPR

Attested by:
REV. FR. CARMELO O. ESTORES
Chancellor