In Rieti They Have Abolished the Nativity
In Rieti (Central Italy), a decision was made not to create the nativity scene in the Cathedral in the name of sobriety.
«The decision to abandon the historic Nativity scene of the Cathedral (...) is also an invitation to renew attention also on more obvious traditions, and to overcome what custom has led us to assume, to give up what appears to be necessary in order to focus on what is truly essential».
This is what is written in the diocesan weekly of Rieti, in the article that «explains» to the faithful why this year there is no historical nativity scene in the Cathedral. And to think that Greccio, the place where St. Francis wanted to create the first nativity scene, is located in the diocese of Rieti,.
Dear Baby Jesus, next year, always in the name of sobriety, I will leave you well packed in the garage, but already this year, as taught in the magisterial act of the bishop Rieti, I’ll take away some of your light, let that be a lesson to you.
«In this case, absence is better than presence», is the sublime comment by the Curia of Rieti to justify the suppression of the nativity. Of course, following this prophetic example it would be possible to continue. Why stop?
We could remove the statues and paintings from the cathedral, for example. In this case too, absence is worth more than presence.
And why not abolish those stale and tired functions – which however are almost always the same and repetitive - that go under the name «Sunday Mass».
Everyone would be called to what is essential, if the bishop, the archpriest, the parish priest and the chaplain did not celebrate any more.
Read the full story at the Vatican Insider