FR DERYCK HANSHE I 1. says, March 22 "There is a school of thought in the Church now that is against adoration of the Blessed Sacrament inside as well as outside Mass."
I disagree with him only in his Use of the adverb 'now'. In fact,
the disparagement of Eucharistic adoration was noted and condemned as far back as 1947, by the then reigning Pontiff, Pius XII, in his encyclical on the sacred liturgy, Mediator Dei.
In this document he speaks of: "demands that are made by certain people, such as that churches should remain closed during hours not devoted to liturgical functions; that adoration of the Blessed Sacrament or visits to the Blessed Sacrament should be abandoned . . ." Pius Xll's answer to these demands was forthright. "These are poisoned fruits growing on infected branches of a healthy tree and they are most damaging to Christian piety."
Subsequent popes, including the present one, have issued statements on this question, which clearly show their complete agreement with the teaching of Pius XII.
Br Dennis Churchman St Peter's School,
Bournemouth BH6 4AH