[Article] A word on the “Paluta liturgy saga” : What to look at as Catholics – Part 1

Recently, I attended a Burial Mass in one of our Ghanaian Catholic Community Churches and during the Prayer of the Faithful, one of the brothers prayer was: “Awurade, boa y3n na 3som yi mfa ne ntoma pa mfira”.(Lord!, help us so that our worship will remain edifying and its dignity maintained!)

Little did I know, “Paluta liturgy saga” was on the way coming!. Fellow Catholics, the liturgy is the life of the Church and the way is celebrated has evolved through history and arrived at what we have now.

Even though the influence of Pentecostalism hits us so hard but as an Orthodox Church, we have an appropriate and suitable way to handle that. So not to lose our mark of Orthodoxy and Apostolicity.

That’s why, as a Catholic, you cannot sing any secular or Gospel song in the liturgy just as a traditionalist cannot use Fanta to pour libation even though they are all drinks.

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One is used because it is appropriate: it passes a sound Catholic Liturgy; is made purposely for the celebration and it reflects the Gospel message and is a suitable accompaniment for the ritual. You don’t sing “Me last a na meda h) yi” (This is my last time lying in state) by Akwasi Ampofo Agyei during Burial Mass. Ours is called Sacred Musis.

As Clergy, it is unpardonable to train for thirteen or nine good years just to celebrate “Paluta Mass”. There is an apology so we would leave it there but what happens to the harm created?! Let’s not allow our youthful exhuberance carry us and the Church into Identity Crisis!. Thank you all.