Over de historische referentie in de rooms-katholieke ‘Hervorming-van-de-hervormingsbeweging’

Abstract

This contribution focuses on the current discussion concerning liturgy reform since Vatican II. The specific emphasis of this exploration will be the Roman Catholic countermovement, known as the ‘Reform-of-the-Reform-Movement’, and on how certain individuals (cf. Ratzinger, Gamber, Torevell, Fox, Mannion etcetera) refer in this respect to the past. A three-part general sketch and characterization of the broad international Reform-of-the-Reform-Movement in the form of a central section and two flanks will be provided, followed by an assessment of how the movement deals with the past. The appeal to the past appears dominant, yet at the same time it would seem that this past also serves as an indirect path to the present. Strong evidence of dehistorization, of the withdrawal of liturgy from history and culture is also evident here. This exploration is not intended as a heuristic-intellectual exercise, but rather a contribution to the current discussion concerning liturgy reform. As such, it serves as a contribution to the actual critical positioning of liturgy and liturgical studies.