Processes of liturgical change : A Roman Catholic perspective

[Extract] In what follows, it is this broad look at 'the future of common prayer' that has inspired my response, though of course whatever insights I have to offer are inevitably seen through the lens of the very specific process of creating vernacular-language liturgical books. It is clear that many of the same concerns pervade the variety of traditions represented in the book: Anglican, Episcopal, Uniting, Roman Catholic. This is to be expected, given our common liturgical roots. Nevertheless, it is worthwhile to be reminded of the commonalities - the same challenges permeate our experiences and thus (might) serve to unite us in collaboration for the good of the future of our common worship. In a more practical sense, nothing common themes can help get us out of our denominational bubbles. Indeed, the collaboration and cross-fertilisation of the twentieth-century liturgical renewal is one of the greater moves toward authentic ecumenism in recent Church history. This achievement should not be given up, and challenges to it from shifting ecclesiastical norms must be met with reasoned resistance.