Rites and Wrongs of Liturgy

Thomas O’Loughlin is professor of historical theology at the University of Nottingham, UK. He uses the tools of the historian to look afresh at how we ask and answer theological problems. O’Loughlin was elected president of the Catholic Theological Association of Great Britain in 2016. He is the author of The Rites and Wrongs of Liturgy: Why Good Liturgy Matters and Washing Feet: Imitating the Example of Jesus in Liturgy Today, both from Liturgical Press.

Thomas O'Loughlin writes about liturgy as a priest who knows what it is like to be a member of the congregation, as a historian and biblical scholar with a lively sense of liturgical action, and as a keen observer of life and worship. In this short book, he offers profound insights in a disarmingly colloquial argument, illustrated with recognizable scenes from inside and outside the church. Good liturgy, he tells us, says what it does and does what it says. The ten principles that expand this essential claim constitute a guide to excellent and joyful liturgical life, and a barometer for testing its truth and integrity.Bridget Nichols, Lecturer in Anglicanism and Liturgy, Church of Ireland Theological Institute, Dublin

• Contents  PrefaceChapter 1 Why Is Good Liturgy Important?Chapter 2 Ways of Assessing LiturgyChapter 3 Principle I: Good Liturgy Is HonestChapter 4 Principle II: Good Liturgy Is JoyfulChapter 5 Principle III: Good Liturgy Celebrates Community and Expresses Our IdentitiesChapter 6 Principle IV: Good Liturgy Facilitates EngagementChapter 7 Principle V: Good Liturgy Is InclusiveChapter 8 Principle VI: Good Liturgy Is Based in the CreationChapter 9 Principle VII: Good Liturgy Prioritizes the MarginalizedChapter 10 Principle VIII: Good Liturgy Avoids ClutterChapter 11 Principle IX: Good Liturgy Follows the Pattern of the IncarnationChapter 12 Principle X: Good Liturgy Is OpenChapter 13 Conclusion: Why Liturgy MattersBibliography