I began this week’s news beat with the shock video of the “World Cup Mass” which took place last Sunday in the Netherlands.
Today I received an email from an AmP reader in the Netherlands, translating a local news report that the pastor seen in that video – Fr. Paul Vlaar – has been suspended by his local bishop:
On Sunday, July 11, father Paul Vlaar, parish priest of St. Victor’s parish in Obdam, celebrated Holy Mass – on the occasion of Soccer World Cup – in an orange chasuble and furthermore using texts and objects which were a violation of the sanctity of the Holy Eucharist.
Such in spite of the promises that the priest made to his Bishop, not to mingle Holy Eucharist with profana.
So the Bishop, mgr. dr. Jozef Punt of Haarlem-Amsterdam, in a meeting with this priest on Thursday, July 15, suspended him. He will immediately leave the parish and is forbidden the administration of the Sacraments.
The line about “promises made to the Bishop” to not mix Mass with profana (i.e., allowing “profane” or inappropriate materials into the liturgy and on to the altar) makes me suspect that this priest has a long track record of such liturgical abuses.
[UPDATE: Fr. Paul has been suspended, confirmed by multiple sources. Details below.]
Many people who commented on the original post, especially non-Catholics, asked why this “World Cup Mass” was so offensive. Catholics believe that Mass is where we worship God, with our whole heart. It would be fine (though, I think, somewhat trivial) for a priest to host a World Cup celebration apart from Mass, but to take over the Mass with “profane” (i.e., secular) topics such as sports is to detract from the meaning of Mass. All comparisons have their flaws, but one helpful example might be a funeral: the purpose of a funeral is to honor the legacy of the dead and to commit the soul of the departed to Christ. It would be inappropriate to hijack a funeral, say, to promote a local magician or to have a bake sale around the casket. In a similar way, Catholics may love soccer, but Mass is a time to put aside what we love and worship the God who makes all good things (including soccer) possible.
Photo credit: AP
UPDATE: A friend has provided a rough translation of the official news release from the Catholic Archdiocese of Haarlem-Amsterdam:
On Sunday, July 11 Pastor Paul Vlaar has Obdam in the context of the World Cup the Holy Eucharist is celebrated in an orange chasuble and moreover with texts insufficient justice to the sanctity of the Eucharist. The images were received with indignation by believers at home and abroad.
Earlier, the bishop enjoined on the priest Vlaar not to mix the Holy Eucharist with secular events. The priest has said to fully endorse this and promised to abide it. The pastoral zeal and commitment of the pastor are also not in question.
Following this latest case, the bishop met again with pastor Vlaar immediatelyand he imposed a reflection period for the duration of that period of his priestly duties suspended. After completing this will be reconsidered.
As always, we should pray for the parties involved.
http://www.catholicvoteaction.org/americanpapist/index.php?p=7843
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kNt0jFSSPb8
Me : What is wrong with you, Father? Mass - World cup? Re-CHECK YOUR VOWS!!!!
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