Liturgical irregularities at Romero Mass draw official correction

The Mass on March 24 marked the 45th anniversary of the assassination of St Oscar Romero and was celebrated in the chapel where he was killed.

The apostolic nunciature in El Salvador subsequently issued a correction concerning the irregularities.

In photos released by Salvadoran media, a female Anglican bishop can be seen behind the altar along with the bishop of the Salvadoran Old Catholic Church and anti-mining activist Neftalí Ruiz; the celebrating bishop, Oswaldo Estefano Escobar Aguilar; and Raúl Vera, bishop emeritus of Saltillo, Mexico.

In some of the photos, banners can also be seen in front of the altar, with slogans such as “Every mine pollutes. No to mining, yes to life” and “Freedom for environmental defenders”. 

In a statement released after the Mass, the apostolic nunciature in El Salvador stated that “ecumenical celebrations shared with members of non-Catholic churches include only the Liturgy of the Word and its commentary, along with prayers of the faithful and the prayer that Our Lord taught us: the Our Father”.

Furthermore, and according to liturgical norms, the text continues, “it must be taken into account that the altar is reserved solely for the Eucharistic celebration”.

“What happened this morning in the Chapel of the Hospitalito should not have taken place because it is prohibited by ecclesiastical law,” the statement concluded.

Sources from the Archdiocese of San Salvador, who asked not to be identified, said that the banners were unauthorised and that they were placed at the end of the Mass.

Regarding the presence of the Anglican “female bishop” and anti-mining activist Ruiz, the archdiocese emphasised that the nunciature had already issued a statement on the matter.

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Nunciature in El Salvador issues correction for liturgical abuse | Catholic News Agency (By Walter Sánchez Silva/Catholic News Agency)