To outsiders, the Roman Catholic church appears to have a uniform liturgical tradition, of long standing. Rosenstock-Huessy points out that the uniformity of the Mass is a rather late development. During the 19th century, “the movement of Solesmes united all the churches of the Catholic world by introducing the Roman mass and liturgy in every diocese. Centralization in cult and worship reached a climax.” Only then did bishops become what Gregory VII wanted them to be: “the pope’s stewards and bailiffs.” And, no doubt, even then this was an oversimplification.
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