On Friday, the bishops' conference published on the deviations from the Roman missal introduced for various ethnic groups in the state of Chiapas. from the Roman missal.
These are neither a new rite nor substantial changes to the structure of the masses, but rather optional adaptations of the Roman rite.
Furthermore, the adapted liturgy does not include the use of "Mayan altars" or prayers in the four cardinal directions.
The Bishops' Conference does not want to speak of "liturgical dance" with regard to the "physical movements" permitted in the Mass form at the opening, during the offertory and during thanksgiving after communion.
The adapted missal speaks of a prayer to music "in silence with a rhythmic pendulum movement".
Previously, the diocesan bishop emeritus of San Cristóbal de Las Casas, Cardinal Felipe Arizmendi Esquivel, had explicitly called these elements "ritual dances": "They are not folklore, but simple, monotonous and contemplative movements of the whole congregation, accompanied by traditional music and expressing the same thing as the Roman rite, only in a different cultural form."
Arizmendi was responsible for the liturgical concerns of indigenous believers in the Mexican Bishops' Conference.
Explanations on new liturgical services
The Bishops' Conference also explains the new liturgical services of incense and prayer leading.
The person charged with leading prayers always acts at the invitation of the priest presiding at the liturgy and never assumes the role of presider.
Incense is used in the places provided for in the Roman missal, but with the inclusion of the traditional forms with which the respective indigenous group uses incense.
The changes are now being introduced gradually. This also includes training for priests and pastoral staff.
The bishops also emphasise that the adaptations are optional and have only been approved for the indigenous communities of the Tzeltal, Tzotzil, Chol, Tojolabal and Zoque.
Last week, the Vatican Dicastery for Divine Worship adaptations to the liturgy of the Mass for indigenous peoples in the diocese of San Cristóbal de Las Casas and a translation of the Mass into the Tzeltal language spoken in the Mexican state of Chiapas.
The Second Vatican Council (1962-1965) had opened up the possibility of adapting the liturgy "to the peculiarities and traditions of the peoples" in its liturgy constitution.
The variants now recognised are only the second cultural adaptation of the liturgy.
In 1988, the Vatican had recognised a Zairian Rite of Mass for the church in what is now the Democratic Republic of Congo.
In the Amazon region, too, a cultural adaptation of the church service is also under discussion.