I must have missed this bit of religious silliness when it first hit the net and generated controversy: a charismatic community in Brazil, the "Shalom" Community, engages in dance as an evangelistic art form. They did this at a conference:
It really is impressive how fast the priest takes off at the start of the dance.
There is sincere piety here, as far as I can tell, but the whole thing looks like an act from the L.A. Religious Ed Congress. What isn't clear to me is this: when people start whistling from the "audience", are they praising or protesting the spectacle?
Pathetic display if you ask me, I'm very conservative about these matters, I don't even like when people start clapping in church. There countries where clapping in church is considered sacreligous.
The priest was part of the dancing action. I really don't know what drives people to do this. I have to admit, I was pleased there were no barefoot women in leotards --- perhaps a step in the right direction???? Well, I tried.
Regardless of what you think of the dancing (which seems to be based on ancient Israelite dances) you've got to wish our congregations had such joy.
(Then again, it is a charismatic community.)
Regardless of what you think of the dancing (which seems to be based on ancient Israelite dances)
Eh, not so fast. Is there any reliable evidence in the world of truly ancient Israelite choreography? Dancing with the Torah scrolls on Simchat Torah only dates to the 15th c.
you've got to wish our congregations had such joy.
Two thoughts come to me on this. Because we are "Catholic" means that we are universal. In other words, different cultures express theselves in different ways, and even if these ways are not familiar to me (in this case, liturgically) does not give me the right to question the motivation or devotion of those people involved.
Which brings me to my second point: CONTEXT. The "context" or situation of liturgical praxsis may very well call for adaptations or prudent changes to be engaged for the good of the people who are to be served. For example, as a celebrant, I will take an entirely different approach to offering Mass for the 2nd grade first communion class than I would for offering Mass for a group of physicians, or in a prison chapel, or on a military base, etc. etc
even if these ways are not familiar to me (in this case, liturgically) does not give me the right to question the motivation or devotion of those people involved.
Is that hard for you? I've had plenty of contact with charismatic folks and events, so it's easy for me to recognize or at least assume that these are well-meaning, devout people who love our Lord.
I think they're doing something undignified, foreign to the Catholic tradition, and probably without a sound historical basis; but it's not a failure of their good will or piety, just their prudence and understanding. The priest, however, seems to be at fault; he should know that this is unwise.
The "context" or situation of liturgical praxsis may very well call for adaptations or prudent changes to be engaged for the good of the people who are to be served.
There's not much chance that one could truly justify this dancing in terms of context or culture. If we were to consider it a form of popular piety, the Church has a right to regulate it. OTOH, if we consider the eucharistic exposition as a liturgical act, and then consider adding a dance to it, the Church has the right to regulate that -- and probably has already forbidden doing so.
All the good will in the world doesn't change the fact that this form of dancing with the Sacred Host looks at least slightly ridiculous, and that alone is reason enough to rule it out always and everywhere.