Modern Latinization Accelerates In Some Eastern Catholic Churches

[KnightofChrist]

Sometimes liturgical abuses are committed by those that believe that they are showing reverence, respect to God. Sometimes liturgical abuse can even look very reverent to the uninformed. Having or showing "reverence" during a liturgical abuse, does not make the abuse acceptable.

[Aloysius]

indeed, and the versus populum position is an abuse in the Eastern Churches.  in the Eastern context, one is less willing to speak about liturgy legalistically as a "violation of rubrics" or "violation of canon law", though, but it is the Eastern equivalent of a huge violation of the 'rubrics'.

[Apotheoun]

Facing East is important and I understand your concern. We should be concerned because these types of liturgical innovations in Eastern Catholic parishes scandalize Eastern Orthodox and discourage communion with Rome. However, at the end of the day, the Divine Liturgy pictured above is valid.

The boldface text is especially important. The liturgy is the summit of the Christian life in Eastern Orthodoxy. To put it another way, Orthodox Christians believe that the whole faith is contained in the liturgy, and so when they see innovations in liturgical rites they see it as an attack upon the faith itself.

Edited August 14, 2013 by Apotheoun