The Church Is Not Glocal -- It's Catholic (Interlude: Reconstruction)

Part Two and a Half of Three
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How might the catholic liturgy emphasize the multicultural character of the entire Church?

As I've mentioned in my previous two posts, the liturgy does this inherently. In the Divine Service, we read from the same Scripture, pray the same prayers, sing the same hymns,* confess the same Creeds, share in the one Baptism, and partake of Christ's Body, the same we have since the apostles (with, granted, some development, especially in the fourth through sixth centuries). The liturgy of the Church catholic transcends temporality, ethnicity, and linguistics.

But suppose a parish wanted to underscore this multiculturalism? What would I recommend instead of the "glocal" service we used at Synod Assembly?

Two suggestions:

First, if a parish is already multicultural or multi-lingual, then using the native languages and rituals of its members should already be the norm. At Candler, where we had students from various parts of Europe and Africa as well as a large number of South Korean students, readings and hymns were often done in the languages of our student body. Every week, the worshiping body was encouraged to pray the Lord's Prayer in their native tongue. O how marvelous it was to hear Portuguese, Korean, German, and countless other languages all at once! One of our Systematic Theology professors, a German Lutheran, frequently presided at the Eucharist during our Friday service. He would offer the Aaronic Benediction auf Deutsch. We all knew exactly what he was saying and could fully share in the beauty of this ancient blessing in a modern language.

In the context of Synod Assembly, then, this would mean inviting members from around the Synod to lead the liturgy in Swahili, Spanish, Korean, German, and the numerous other languages we utilize in worship -- not just for the readings (which we did), but for the prayers, blessings, the Sanctus, and the various other parts of the liturgy.

Secondly, for parishes which are less diverse, incorporate multiple languages into major feast days, especially for Pentecost.

At Pentecost, we celebrate the Holy Spirit's work among us, uniting us into the Church. Everybody on that day heard the Gospel in their native tongue, and the destruction caused at Babel was undone. How appropriate, then, to incorporate multiple languages in worship during this feast?

Here is my humble proposal, along with a few guiding principles:

First, ensure that readers are as near to fluent as possible for their assigned readings. Native, fluent, or at least conversant, is preferable. Small mistakes in linguistics can be funny or they can be horribly offensive.

Second, if feasible, unite with another parish which worships in another language. O swap pastors for the Sunday. If your parish hosts a community which worships in a different language, hold a single service. If there are multiple small parishes worshiping in different languages, try a common service. In doing so, the service actually becomes multicultural rather than multi-linguistic.

Third, never do something in a foreign language that leaves most worshipers out in the cold. Provide a translation. If you're going to read a text or preach in Swedish, make sure that the Korean church you've invited can actually follow what you're saying. The point of this service is to unite the languages, as at Pentecost, not to confuse them, as at Babel. Remember what St. Paul said about speaking in tongues.

Fourth, add a note in the bulletin which identifies each language and explain why it's being used. Why Spanish? Why Korean? Why Urdu?

As to the liturgy itself:

• Invocation and Confession: Latin
• Assurance of Pardon: Native language of most worshipers -- It is fitting that this part of the liturgy, the Good News of forgiveness and reconciliation, be understood by all in attendance. If the pastor is capable, repeat it in the native tongue of all in worship. If conducting a bi- or tri-lingual service, repeat in both or all three tongues.
• Kyrie: If possible, in Greek or Latin. If not, petitions in the native language of most worshipers, response in Greek. Or, 
• Gloria: Latin
• Collect: Salutation in Latin (Dominus vobiscum and Oremus), prayer in native language of most worshipers
• First Lesson: Prominent language in the area, with a translation for those in worship. In Atlanta, for instance, this might mean reading a text in any number of foreign languages. Other places, this might mean Spanish.
• Psalm: Latin, Greek, or Hebrew, sung by the choir -or- a setting for the Psalm in a local prominent language
• Second Lesson: Prominent language in the area, and again with a translation.
• Gospel Lesson: Native language of most worshipers. If two or more parishes have come together for a multi-lingual service, then read the lesson in as many languages as are present.
• Homily: Native language of most worshipers. I know of a small bi-lingual parish in Germany that translates the homily from German into English and provides a physical copy to those who need it. If there is someone capable of providing an accurate translation, then by all means, do this.
• Nicene Creed: Invite each person to confess their faith in their native tongue.
• Prayers of Intercession: Native language of most worshipers, but either a) respond with the Greek Kyrie eleison or invite each worshiper to respond "Lord have mercy" in their native language.
• Offertory Hymn: An offertory hymn taken from another place, perhaps across the globe. Sung in its original language.
• Eucharist: In the native language of most worshipers, with the Sanctus taken from another culture. There are many beautiful settings written in Russian, for instance. It is fitting that parish give thanks to God through the Eucharist as they are able -- in their native language.
• Lord's Prayer: Invite each worshiper to pray in their native language.
• Agnus Dei: Another language, perhaps the same one used for the Sanctus
• Distribution: If possible, have those serving at table distribute the Bread and Chalice in their native tongue.
• Distribution Hymns: Appropriate hymns taken from other cultures and sung as they were written.
• Benediction: In its original language. If the Aaronic Blessing, then Hebrew. Others may be done in Greek or Latin. Or, a language significant to the parish and denomination. For instance, there are many Lutheran churches which were founded as Swedish, Norwegian, or German. A return to the parish's roots is more than appropriate.
• Dismissal: Spanish. An odd choice, but as it is a descendant of Latin, it demonstrates the continued development of languages from the time after Pentecost to the present day. It underscores the continued development of the liturgy from the languages of the Mediterranean to the global diversity of the Church today.

Now, Ite, missa est. Deo gratias.

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*I'm thinking of the Psalms, the Gospel Canticles, and the Sanctus and Agnus Dei. Other hymns, of course, demonstrate the great diversity of Christ's Church across history and varying cultures.