New life, old churchskins : the initial implementation of Pastoral Liturgy in New Zealand, 1963 to 1970 : a thesis presented in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Philosophy in History at Massey University
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Date
1996
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Massey University
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Abstract
In the period between 1963 and 1970 the Catholic Church's liturgy change dramatically. The event Catholics know as the Vatican II, produced the impetus for this substantial renewal of the Church and its liturgy, which was then implemented throughout the world. The new liturgical practice was known as Pastoral Liturgy. In New Zealand the liturgical reforms were directed by the bishops and implemented by them according to the only model of Church leadership they knew, a top-down model. In parishes too this model was often followed, resulting in confusion for both Laity and Clergy. Pastoral Liturgy's underlying theology challenged the methods of Episcopal authority, the role of the priest and the role of the Laity, as much as it changed ritual worship patterns. This study necessarily begins with the Liturgical Movement in Europe and the Document Sacrosanctum Concilium. This contextualises the liturgical changes in New Zealand in their wider context and helps the reader to see these changes as part of a bigger movement within the Church. The role of the Episcopal Conference and the activities of the St Paul's group are compared to give an illustration of the different levels of interest in liturgical renewal within the New Zealand Church. The varied response of the Catholic people to the renewal and the common memory of having not been consulted during the period is evaluated in light of the modern needs in the Church.
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Catholic Church, Liturgy