Liturgy: Sacrosanctum Concilium by Rita Ferrone (review)

book reviews 509 critically to assess the texts. Abbass frequently includes an in-depth analysis of revisions that led to the text’s promulgation (e.g., 115–119). At times, however, the comparison approach leads to confusion, at least for this reader, due to the direct comparisons of divisions of a canon rather than presenting each canon in its entirety. For example, the discussion on cession of administration and renunciation of temporal goods is dispersed among seven different comparisons rather than one. (344– 357). Perhaps the confusion results from the manner in which the CCEO and CIC canons were drafted, which only becomes apparent with a direct comparison. The commentary concludes with two indices that identify the CCEO and CIC canons cited (459–469) and two tables that compare the two codes from both the CCEO and CIC perspectives (470–513). Although Abbass provides extensive support for his analysis with 564 footnotes, the majority of the works cited are official publications of the texts. It would have been helpful if secondary works had been used or included in a separate bibliography. The author adds to the canonical understanding of consecrated life, particularly with regard to the ways in which the two codes treat the various forms of consecrated life similarly, while highlighting differences. This commentary would be beneficial for any canonist dealing with issues of consecrated life or superiors of religious institutes. Abbass should be commended for his effort to bridge the gap between the two codes. Sean O. Sheridan, T.O.R. School of Canon Law The Catholic University of America Washington, DC LITURGY: SACROSANCTUM CONCILIUM by Rita Ferrone. New York/Mahwah: Paulist Press, 2007. Liturgy: Sacrosanctum Concilium is another entry in Paulist Press’s Rediscovering Vatican II series, edited by Christopher M. Bellitto. Ferrone divides her text into four parts. Part I, “The Document,” provides a useful overview of the situation and developments that led to the liturgy constitution promulgated at Vatican II, specifically the condition of the liturgy in the one hundred years prior to the council, the role of the liturgical movement, and the liturgical reforms instituted in the 1950s. Rather than offering a linear commentary on SC, Ferrone has selected seven themes around which she examines the various issues raised in the constitution : the paschal mystery; liturgy as the source and summit of ecclesial life; active participation (which she calls “the pearl of great price of the liturgical reform” [30]); ecclesiology; inculturation; the reform of the ritual books, music, and art; and education and formation. Part III turns to the implementation of SC as played out during the years of the Consilium and Congregation for Divine Worship (1963–1975), 1975 to 1984 (described as “Deepening of the Reform”), and 1984 to 2005 (“Conflict and Continuity”). Finally, in part IV, Ferrone returns to the seven themes identified earlier “to evaluate the degree of their acceptance, and identify areas of potential growth they contain” (91). An annotated bibliography and index complete the volume. Given the size of this book and its more popular appeal, the lack of nuance concerning juridical matters should not surprise canonists. For example , no distinction is made between papal approval in forma specifica and in forma communi when referring to the approval given to the instructions issued to implement SC (58 and 71). Similarly, Ferrone states that John Paul II “first admitted females to the role of altar server” (88). In fact, the pope confirmed the authentic interpretation of canon 230 §2 made by the PCLT. Also questionable is Ferrone’s restrictive interpretation of the phrase “lawfully acknowledged rites” in SC 4 (21) and reference to the “presences of Christ” (27). Twice Ferrone refers to ICEL’s project to re-translate the Sacramentary, which “was summarily scrapped by Rome” in 1998 (71, 88). However, she neglects to mention that the third edition of the Missale Romanum was nearing completion and promulgation eighteen months later. The book would have benefited from more careful editing. For example , Cardinal Roger M. “Mahoney” should read “Mahony” (73), the editiones typicae of the Ceremonial of Bishops and Book of Blessings were published in 1984 and not 1989 (88), and “deaconate” should read “diaconate ” (107). Despite the aforementioned shortcomings...