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Online Edition - September 2006
Vol. XII, No. 6About Letters to the Editor
READERS' FORUMReaders' Forum -- the lively "Letters to the Editor" of the Adoremus Bulletin provides a forum for exchange of ideas, comment and information on the sacred liturgy -- but the letters column is not published online. This month one letter is on line as a sample.
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Readers' Forum: September 2006 -- "Jazz Riffs" and "Mantras" | "Proclamation"? | Crucifix | The Bible in the Breviary? | What "Precious Chalice" Means | What the Bishops Said | Can the only tabernacle be in a chapel outside the church building?
Can the only tabernacle be in a chapel outside the church building?
Letter
Our parish web site gives the following explanation in the Frequently Asked Questions section regarding the tabernacle and its placement in the chapel rather than in the church:“Why is the tabernacle in the chapel rather than the church?
“The current liturgical norms allow for the placement of the Blessed Sacrament in the main church. It cannot, however, be in a direct axis from the altar, i.e., it cannot be centered on the wall or space behind the altar (presuming it is located in the center of the sanctuary, from side to side). The guidelines also allow and encourage the tabernacle containing the Blessed Sacrament to be located in a separate chapel, very near the main church and visible to the people”.
Is this right? If not, what’s the right answer?
Kyle Clark
via e-mailResponse
This statement is not accurate. It is untrue that there is a “norm” specifying that the tabernacle cannot be on a “direct axis from the altar”, etc. Not only is it perfectly acceptable, according to all official norms, to place the tabernacle in the center of the wall of the sanctuary directly behind the altar in a central position, it is the customary place for it. It is also not true that the official norms “allow and encourage” the Blessed Sacrament to be placed in another building separate from the church. In fact, the opposite is true, as the quotations from relevant documents below make very clear.According to Canon Law (C 938 ß 2): “The tabernacle in which the Most Holy Eucharist is reserved is to be situated in some part of the church or oratory which is distinguished, conspicuous, beautifully decorated, and suitable for prayer”.
The General Instruction of the Roman Missal (2002) refers to this Canon, and further clarifies that the tabernacle is to be within the church, even if it may be placed (if the diocesan bishop approves) in a special chapel which is “organically connected to the church and readily visible”:
The Place for the Reservation of the Most Holy Eucharist
314. In accordance with the structure of each church and legitimate local customs, the Most Blessed Sacrament should be reserved in a tabernacle in a part of the church that is truly noble, prominent, readily visible, beautifully decorated, and suitable for prayer.125 [Footnote refers to Canon 938]The one tabernacle should be immovable, be made of solid and inviolable material that is not transparent, and be locked in such a way that the danger of profanation is prevented to the greatest extent possible.…
315. It is more in keeping with the meaning of the sign that the tabernacle in which the Most Holy Eucharist is reserved not be on an altar on which Mass is celebrated. Consequently, it is preferable that the tabernacle be located, according to the judgment of the Diocesan Bishop,
a. Either in the sanctuary, apart from the altar of celebration, in a form and place more appropriate, not excluding on an old altar no longer used for celebration (cf. above, no. 303);
b. Or even in some chapel suitable for the faithful’s private adoration and prayer and which is organically connected to the church and readily visible to the Christian faithful. (emphasis added)
The GIRM is accessible on the USCCB web site: http://www.usccb.org/liturgy/current/revmissalisromanien.shtml.
In “Built of Living Stones”, the “guidelines” for bishops on church buildings published by the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, it is emphasized that even if the Blessed Sacrament is not reserved within the Sanctuary itself, it must be within the church, and “conspicuous” to all:
The Chapel of Reservation: The diocesan bishop may direct the parish to reserve the Blessed Sacrament in a chapel separate from the nave and sanctuary but “integrally connected with the church” and “conspicuous to the faithful”....
The Tabernacle in the Sanctuary: A special area can be designed within the sanctuary.... When a tabernacle is located directly behind the altar, consideration should be given to using distance, lighting, or some other architectural device that separates the tabernacle and reservation area during Mass, but that allows the tabernacle to be fully visible to the entire worship area when the eucharistic liturgy is not being celebrated. (emphasis added)
(From the USCCB web site: http://www.usccb.org/liturgy/livingstonesind.shtml).
Strong emphasis to these rules is given in the Holy See’s 2004 Instruction Redemptionis Sacramentum. Referring to relevant authoritative documents, it says:
130 “According to the structure of each church building and in accordance with legitimate local customs, the Most Holy Sacrament is to be reserved in a tabernacle in a part of the church that is noble, prominent, readily visible, and adorned in a dignified manner” and furthermore “suitable for prayer” by reason of the quietness of the location, the space available in front of the tabernacle, and also the supply of benches or seats and kneelers. In addition, diligent attention should be paid to all the prescriptions of the liturgical books and to the norm of law, especially as regards the avoidance of the danger of profanation. (emphasis added)
(See also “They have taken away my Lord...”, AB July-August 1999)
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