Bishops approve revised rite for Sunday worship without a priest

Published: 2003-11-13

WASHINGTON (CNS) -- The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops approved a revised edition of "Sunday Celebrations in the Absence of a Priest" by a vote of 221-2 Nov. 12 at the bishops' fall meeting in Washington. Just before that action, by unanimous voice vote they adopted a revised edition of "Guidelines for the Concelebration of the Eucharist." The new book for Sunday worship when no priest is available includes liturgy texts and adaptations for the United States, so it must also be approved by the Vatican before it can be used. It is anticipated that the need for Sunday worship in the absence of a priest will increase in the United States in coming years. There are about 13,000 fewer U.S. priests now than there were 20 years ago, and some 3,000 of the nation's 19,500 parishes are without a resident pastor. Reflecting the needs that gave rise to this form of worship service, every set of petitions of the faithful in the revised rite includes a petition for priestly vocations.

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