Liturgical Presidency

Joint Liturgical Studies 24

The deliberate use of the title ‘President’ for the celebrant of the eucharist in the modern language rites of the Church of England demonstrates a change in understanding of not only the role of the priest/bishop, but of the whole People of God in the liturgical assembly. It is a recovery of the earliest tradition in the
Christian liturgy.

This Study notes the recent documents produced by the Liturgical Commission of the Church of England, and goes on to examine the Directory and so – called ‘Directory Approach’ to worship. The Study asks whether the Church is training ordinands how to use the many alternative texts now available. First – hand experience by visits to parish clergy and observation of presidency at the eucharist is distilled and conclusions are drawn. It will be demonstrated that there are such things as good presidential skills.

Paul James