The 2004 instruction 'Redemptionis Sacramentum' on abuses in the celebration of the Eucharist: Background, analysis, reception and interpretation

This work examines an Instruction on the Eucharist, Redemptionis Sacramentum, published by the Vatican's Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments in 2004. This Instruction was mandated by Pope John Paul II in his 2003 encyclical letter on the Eucharist, Ecclesia de Eucharistia. In the first chapter, "The Remote History of the Instruction," the thesis considers how, from the time of the early Church, concern for the proper celebration of the Eucharist as well as the elimination of abuses in its celebration have been a characteristic of the Church's life and the object of legislation and supervision at various levels: the Apostolic See, Ecumenical Councils, local bishops and synods, and even those in political authority. Over time, this wide-ranging juridical authority over the liturgy narrowed considerably. The thesis examines the factors that gave rise to increasing centralization in the Apostolic See of authority over the liturgy, most notably in the centuries between the Council of Trent (1547-1563) and the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965). The latter Council restored to the bishops some measure of authority over the liturgy, but the Apostolic See retains ultimate control over the publication of the Latin liturgical books and the approval of their vernacular translations.;The third chapter, "The Instruction Itself," first reviews doctrinal matters treated by Pope John Paul II in Ecclesia de Eucharistia that are foundational for understanding many of the disciplinary directives of Redemptionis Sacramentum. The latter text is then examined and analysed in depth, both on the matters of concern in earlier documents of the Apostolic See as well as the new discipline and novel features of this Instruction.;The final chapter, "Reception, Canonical Issues, Remedies," considers the reception of the Instruction in canonical scholarship and in the local churches as represented by statements and policies of various conferences of bishops and individual bishops. The author also examines the document from a technical juridical perspective, in particular, the question of whether the text exceeds in some places the limits of instructions as they are defined in c anon law. The thesis concludes with some suggestions, or remedies, to eliminate or at least reduce the incidence of the abuses proscribed by this Instruction.;The second chapter, "The Proximate History of the Instruction," examines key theological, canonical, and pastoral issues on matters related to the Eucharist that were of particular concern to the Apostolic See during the period from the promulgation of a new Roman Missal in 1970 to Redemptionis Sacramentum in 2004. Among these were certain liturgical abuses occurring in various places which the Apostolic See sought to eradicate by its instructions and by promoting liturgical education and greater vigilance over the liturgy by local bishops.