Misinterpretation of Vatican II

Theologian Tracy Rowland comments on the affects of the widespread misinterpretation and misapplication of Vatican II:

...anything that was characteristically pre-conciliar became suspect. Modes of liturgical dress, forms of prayer, different devotions, hymns that had been a part of the Church's cultural treasury for centuries, were not just dumped, but actively suppressed.

To me, this verbalizes the experience of growing up in the Church during the 1960's and 1970's. All that was Catholic culture was suppressed by many within the Church itself. While it is true that these "forms of prayer, different devotions" etc. were not necessary to salvation, it, in effect, turned many Catholic liturgies into Protestant worship services. The attraction of Catholicism was all but gone for many people.

Thankfully, we still had the Real Presence in the Eucharist. But the fact that belief in this core Catholic doctrine has waned among Catholics points to the affect of the sweeping away of Catholic devotion and practice within the Church.

Thanks once again to St. Peter's Helpers for the post that inspired this one!