St.

Charles Borromeo Preservation Guild

FAQ Sheet
www.st-charlesborromeo.org

The following are some questions and answers that relate to the “renovation” of St. Charles Borromeo.
There has been a great deal of “misinformation” about our group and our concerns.
• Despite what you may have been told, we do support the Magisterium of the Church and Vatican II,
including the reform of the Sacred Liturgy. We accept the Novus Ordo mass as totally valid and licit.
• We do NOT endorse schismatic groups, e.g., Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, nor do we promote the
dubious “spirit of Vatican II”.
• We do not oppose any beneficial repairs of the existing church, such as improving the restrooms.

After the Q and A section, we have excerpts from the documents we used for our answers. We encourage
you to look them up yourselves in books or on the Internet.

Q: Must the main altar be moved?

NO. The main altar does NOT have to be moved anywhere, including under the dome.
The present arrangement is such that the attention of the congregation naturally
focuses on the altar as required.
• There is also no need to remove so-called “distracting” statues, crucifixes, the
altarpiece (baldachin), or pews.

Q: Must we move the tabernacle from the main altar to a side chapel?
NO. The tabernacle CAN be located in the sanctuary as we currently have it, behind
the mensa (top surface) of the main altar. It is NOT mandatory to move it.
• According to the liturgical laws the tabernacle must be kept in the churches with
great reverence in a most honorable location.

Q: May a church utilize a “theater in the round” or arena type arrangement?

Should the Choir be moved so we can see them perform?
NO. This “fan out” congregation seating type of arrangement is based on a Greco-
Roman amphitheater, and the guidelines discourage theater, arena, and audience
analogies. Likewise, the idea of moving the choir down to see them “perform”
also contradicts this.
• Ironically, it would also mean the Priest wouldn’t entirely face the congregation, a
point emphasized by the “participation promoters”, but rather would be positioned
obliquely to some sections of the congregation depending on where they sit.

Q: Should the baptismal font be located near the entrance, as it is now?

YES Baptism is the gateway to life in the Spirit and the door that gives access to the
other sacraments. Historically, catechumens were baptized in a separate building,
or in a font that was oriented west, near the entrance, then brought to the altar.

THERE IS NO REASON TO WASTE TIME AND MONEY ON “RENOVATION”.

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Q: How is Christ present in the Church? (Or Misrepresented?)
Unfortunately, there were some misleading comments made at the “learning
sessions” about how Christ is present in the Church. Christ is really present in
many ways, but not in the same degree or manner. Moreover, the words “poured”,
“shared”, “bread”, and “wine”, shown in Fr. Thomas Slon's slide presentation, are
NOT used in the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy #7.
• In the Eucharist, Christ is ESPECIALLY present. The doctrine that the bread and
wine become the Body and Blood of Christ is called Transubstantiation (John 6:53).
• Christ IS present in his faithful through the indwelling Holy Spirit (Acts 2:4, John
14:23, Rm. 8:14-17). Our growth in holiness takes our whole lives, and is called
Sanctification.
• Liturgy is an act of the Mystical Body, the Church, and encompasses the entire
Communion of Saints, not limited to an “assembly” at a particular time and place.

Q: The document “Built of Living Stones”, does it have force of law?

NO. “Built of Living Stones” (BOLS) replaces “Environment and Art in Catholic
Worship” (EACW) and by its own admission, merely offers recommendations
and does NOT have the force of law except where it quotes documents that do.
• Decrees from Episcopal Conferences must receive two-thirds vote of the Bishops,
and approval from the Holy See, to become laws. (Can. 455 §2)
• Since BOLS and EACW have received neither, it is MISLEADING to present
either as mandating changes, or to assert these two documents are liturgical law.

Q: Must we take out the altar rails?

NO. No document requires or mandates the removal of the altar rails.
• At one of the “listening sessions” the very pejorative term “barriers” was used to
describe the existing altar rails.

Q: Can we take out the kneelers and stand or sit only?

NO. Currently, the liturgical norms in the U.S. require that the people KNEEL at the
appropriate times. When the new Roman Missal takes effect this will continue.

What’s Next?
Be aware that at the final “Speak Out” session, parishioners likely will be broken up and seated at tables in
small groups. We will then be asked what renovations we want, not if we want any. A pro-renovation
person, called a “facilitator” will be at each table to push the agenda along. This method of group control is
called the Delphi Technique. Developed by the Rand Corporation, it’s designed to steer a group to a
predetermined consensus. When asked what “renovations” you want, reply: “NO RENOVATION!”

• Any alleged “renovation” of St. Charles is not required by liturgical or canon law.
• In response to a question at the May 1 “Learning Session”, Fr. Welbers reluctantly
admitted that St. Charles already fulfills the “spirit” (a very misused term) and law of
Vatican II. We agree.

THERE IS NO REASON TO WASTE TIME AND MONEY ON “RENOVATION”.

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 DOCUMENTS:
Quotes relating to moving the altar. Notice in the reply that center means “center of
attention”, not “mathematical” center like under the dome.
INTER OECUMENICI Chapter II. Main Altar

91. The main altar should preferably be freestanding, to permit walking around it and
celebration facing the people. Its location in the place of worship should be truly central so
that the attention of the whole congregation naturally focuses there.

(From “Documents on the Liturgy 1963 to 1979” (DOL Footnote: R28 Note from Notitiae).
In response to a question about Inter Oecumenici #91, above, the Vatican gave the
following reply).

Reply: The instruction does not refer to the mathematical center of a church but to a
conceptual center, saying, "so that the attention of the whole congregation naturally
focuses there"
Not 1 (1965) 137-138 no.7

Quotes relating to the location of the tabernacle.

THE CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH

1183 The tabernacle is to be situated "in churches in a most worthy place with the
greatest honor." The dignity, placing, and security of the Eucharistic tabernacle should foster
adoration before the Lord really present in the Blessed Sacrament of the altar.

1379 As faith in the real presence of Christ in his Eucharist deepened, the Church became
conscious of the meaning of silent adoration of the Lord present under the Eucharistic
species. It is for this reason that the tabernacle should be located in an especially worthy
place in the church and should be constructed in such a way that it emphasizes and
manifests the truth of the real presence of Christ in the Blessed Sacrament.

CODE OF CANON LAW

Can. 938 §2 The tabernacle in which the blessed Eucharist is reserved should be sited in a
distinguished place in the church or oratory, a place which is conspicuous, suitably
adorned and conducive to prayer.

INAESTIMABILE DONUM Instruction Concerning Worship of the Eucharistic Mystery 1980

24. The tabernacle in which the Eucharist is kept can be located on an altar, or away from
it, in a spot in the church which is very prominent, truly noble, and duly decorated, or in a
chapel suitable for private prayer and for adoration by the faithful.

MYSTERIUM FIDEI Pope Paul VI 1965

#66 …In the course of the day the faithful should not omit to visit the Blessed Sacrament,
which according to the liturgical laws must be kept in the churches with great
reverence in a most honorable location. Such visits are a proof of gratitude, an expression
of love, an acknowledgment of the Lord's presence.

THERE IS NO REASON TO WASTE TIME AND MONEY ON “RENOVATION”.

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Quotes relating to theater or arena layout.
BUILT OF LIVING STONES Chapter Two.

#51 This area (the congregation's area) is not comparable to the audience's space in a
theater or public arena because in the liturgical assembly, there is no audience.

#86 Parishes will want to choose a seating arrangement that calls the congregation to active
participation and that avoids any semblance of a theater or an arena.

Quotes relating to the baptismal font.

THE CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH

1213 Holy Baptism is the basis of the whole Christian life, the gateway to life in the Spirit,
and the door which gives access to the other sacraments.

Quotes relating to Christ’s presence.

SACROSANCTUM CONCILIUM Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy Vatican Council II

#7 To accomplish so great a work, Christ is always present in His Church, especially in her
liturgical celebrations. He is present in the sacrifice of the Mass, not only in the person of
His minister, "the same now offering, through the ministry of priests, who formerly offered
himself on the cross", but especially in the Eucharistic species. By His power He is
present in the sacraments, so that when anyone baptizes it is really Christ Himself who
baptizes. He is present in His word, since it is He Himself who speaks when the holy
scriptures are read in the Church. He is present, lastly, when the Church prays and sings,
for He has promised: "Where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in
the midst of them" (Matt. 18:20).

MYSTERIUM FIDEI Mystery of Faith Pope Paul VI 1965

#35 He (Christ) is present in the Church on her pilgrimage … through the Holy Spirit whom
He gives us, pours His love into those hearts…

#38 But there is yet another manner in which Christ is present in His Church, a manner which
surpasses all the others; it is His presence in the Sacrament of the Eucharist."

Quotes relating to the legal force of Built of Living Stones.

BUILT OF LIVING STONES Preface

#10 The document presents guidelines that can serve as the basis for diocesan bishops to
issue further guidelines and directives for their dioceses. Where the document quotes or
reiterates norms from liturgical books and the Code of Canon Law, those prescriptions
are binding on local communities and dioceses.

CODE OF CANON LAW

Can. 455 §2 For the decrees mentioned in §1 validly to be enacted at a plenary meeting, they
must receive two thirds of the votes of those who belong to the Conference with a
deliberative vote. These decrees do not oblige until they have been reviewed by the
Apostolic See and lawfully promulgated.
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Quotes relating to kneeling.
U. S. CONFERENCE OF CATHOLIC BISHOPS, Committee on the Liturgy

"Finally, the new Institutio notes that "where it is the custom that the people remain kneeling
from the end of the Sanctus until the end of the Eucharistic Prayer [as in the United States]
this is laudably retained." (See http://www.nccbuscc.org/liturgy/current/revmissalisromanien.htm)

BUILT OF LIVING STONES Chapter Two.

You can read the complete text of BOLS at: http://www.nccbuscc.org/liturgy/livingstonesind.htm)

#86 Kneelers or kneeling cushions should also be provided so that the whole congregation
can easily kneel when the liturgy calls for it.

Other interesting quotes.

From a description of a Syrian Liturgy:

Throughout the Liturgy, the bending of the knees as the priest kneels before the altar
signifies our fall through the transgression of Adam. As the priest rises, our own resurrection
through the resurrection of Christ is symbolized. (See http://sor.cua.edu/Liturgy/Anaphora/Preface.html)

THE CATECHISM OF THE CATHOLIC CHURCH

1330…The Holy and Divine Liturgy, because the Church's whole liturgy finds its center and
most intense expression in the celebration of this sacrament; in the same sense we also call
its celebration the Sacred Mysteries. We speak of the Most Blessed Sacrament because it
is the Sacrament of sacraments. The Eucharistic species reserved in the tabernacle
are designated by this same name.

1368 The Eucharist is also the sacrifice of the Church. The Church, which is the Body of
Christ, participates in the offering of her Head. With him, she herself is offered whole and
entire.

1370 To the offering of Christ are united not only the members still here on earth, but also
those already in the glory of heaven. In communion with and commemorating the
Blessed Virgin Mary and all the saints, the Church offers the Eucharistic sacrifice…

1374 The mode of Christ's presence under the Eucharistic species is unique. It raises
the Eucharist above all the sacraments as "the perfection of the spiritual life and the end to
which all the sacraments tend." In the most blessed sacrament of the Eucharist "the body and
blood, together with the soul and divinity, of our Lord Jesus Christ and, therefore, the whole
Christ is truly, really, and substantially contained." “This presence is called 'real' by which is
not intended to exclude the other types of presence as if they could not be 'real' too,
but because it is presence in the fullest sense: that is to say, it is a substantial presence
by which Christ, God and man, makes himself wholly and entirely present”.

1378 Worship of the Eucharist. In the liturgy of the Mass we express our faith in the real
presence of Christ under the species of bread and wine by, among other ways, genuflecting
or bowing deeply as a sign of adoration of the Lord…

THERE IS NO REASON TO WASTE TIME AND MONEY ON “RENOVATION”.

SAY NO TO “RENOVATION”