Dear Editor, Bro. George Whyte’s letter on ‘Disorder and disrespect at services’ (IC 02/06/2016) is no exaggeration and provides a good example of what is happening presently in churches throughout the country.
Congregational applause is another irreverent practice that I would like to highlight and which, I feel, is becoming increasingly prevalent particularly at weekend Masses. Attend any weekend Mass where either a soloist or a choir participate and the chances are that one will find the congregation busting into spontaneous applause at the conclusion of the final hymn. In recent years, I have even witnessed the congregation clapping after a soloist sang the Psalm and also at the offertory procession when a group played a very sound-provoking instrumental piece. Congregational applause is also creeping into funeral liturgies especially when a relative gives a eulogy.
Not only is all this annoying, it is, liturgically speaking, illicit and unacceptable and wholly undignified in any place of wordship.
Granted, there are some exceptions when applause can be tolerated such as during a marriage ceremony or some other once-off occasion.
As I watched the Church of England ceremony in St Paul’s Cathedral for Queen Elizabeth’s 90th birthday, I was particularly struck and very impressed by the sense of dignity and respect shown by all in a place of worship. No occasion of applause was evident, even after a very talented young pianist performed a very high-brow piece of music.
There is a time and a place for everything. The Mass is not a performance and it now seems that even the most faithful of massgoers need to be reminded of this. As such, I believe that basic catechetical and liturgical instruction is called for from the clergy, who by the way must also be upset on witnessing these current disrespectful practices in churches week in week out.
Yours etc.,
Dr Shane Lehane,
Tralee,
Co. Kerry.