Meatless Friday for American Catholics? The return of the Tridentine Mass in Latin?
Pope Benedict XVI lifted restrictions on the old Latin Mass in 2007 which has excited a disproportionate interest among the young.
Now bishops in England and Wales, if they have their way, will require Catholics to abstain from meat every Friday year-round.
Will American bishops follow their lead?
Sociologists such as Roger Finke and Rodney Stark have observed that churches tend to lose vigor when they relax demands on adherents, especially those tenets and practices that cut against the grain of wider society. In economic terms, lowering the “costs” of membership in this way ends up diminishing its benefits, among other ways by loosening the bonds of community.
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So, according to some sociologists, being different from others by having unusual religious practises enhances a sense of identity for those in that religion.
What makes Episcopalians different that fosters their sense of identity? Perhaps that Henry VIII had multiple wives so today Episcopalians stand up for the legal rights of those who are “out”. Right now that includes bisexuals, the transgendered and persons with sexual identity issues.
How about Jehovah’s Witnesses? What fosters their sense of identity that keeps them strong? Jehovah Witnesses are different because they do not salute the flag, refuse to serve in the armed forces and require that the government pay for bloodless liver transfusions (as blood transfusions are not allowed).
And then there are the 300 million Muslims. What makes them different which supports their Islamic sense of religious identity? Some say that Islamic religion has as its basis Sharia law which promotes female genitalia cutting, and has different laws for women than men.
In Aptos, CA there is a catholic church and an episcopalian church a couple blocks from each other. Both churches frequently sing the same opening hymn: All are Welcome. But if you want to be identify with either church is it because of how that group differs from others and that those differences cement bonding between members?
What I notice casually is that Catholics tend to play more bingo, gamble and serve more wine than Episcopalians.
Other than saying the Apostles’ Creed Episcopalians are free to interpret it as they choose. Or ignore it all together. Local Episcopalian churches in Santa Cruz County don’t seem to be growing. Is it because they need different ways of identifying with each other — that separate them from other religions — than currently exist? There is an emblem that identifies Episcopalian churches which some Episcopalians put on the back fender of their cars. I saw one recently and wondered, Is this what Episcopalians have to offer as how they identify?
My guess is that meatless Fridays and Latin Masses will become popular as a way for Catholics to identify.
DrCameronJackson@gmail.com
