Article  XXXIV

OF THE TRADITIONS OF THE CHURCH^[1]

It is not necessary that traditions and ceremonies be in all places one, or utterly like; for at all times they have been divers, and may be changed according to the diversity of countries, times, and men’s manners, so that nothing be ordained against God’s Word.  Whosoever through his private judgement, willingly and purposely, doth openly break the traditions and ceremonies of the Church, which be not repugnant to the Word of God, and be ordained and approved by common authority, ought to be rebuked openly (that other may fear to do the like,) as he that offendeth against the common order of the Church, and hurteth the authority of the Magistrate, and woundeth the consciences of the weak brethren.

Every particular or national Church hath authority to ordain, change, and abolish ceremonies or rites of the Church ordained only by man’s authority, so that all things be done to edifying.

This Article asserts the liberty of National Churches ‘to ordain, change, and abolish ceremonies or rites,’ and at the same time condemns any individual who ‘willingly, purposely, and openly breaks the traditions and ceremonies of the Church’.  It will be observed that the liberty of a National Church is limited to the variation of rites and ceremonies ‘ordained only by man’s authority’; it cannot ‘ordain anything that is contrary to God's Word written.’^[2]

The basis of the right to change custom is the historical fact that customs have varied in the past.  Local branches of the Catholic Church in various places developed, often unconsciously, customary ways of worship, and formulated rules for the guidance of their members.  Such customs and rules varied from place to place, and were recognized and approved by many of the highest authorities in the Church.  For instance, a ceremonial feet‑washing (the ‘Pedilavitim’) accompanied Baptism in the Gallican Church and in Milan, but was not practised in Spain or in Rome.^[3]  Many non‑Roman customs and usages were practised in the early Celtic Church.^[4]  The Eucharist was celebrated on Wednesdays and Fridays in Africa and in Jerusalem but not in Rome.^[5]  Saturday was observed as a day of fasting in Rome and North Africa but not in Milan.^[6]  St. Ambrose, Bishop of Milan (375‑397 A.D.) advised St. Augustine to conform to local customs: ‘When I am here (in Milan) I do not fast on Saturday; but when I am at Rome I do: whatever Church you may come to, conform to its custom if you would avoid either giving or receiving offence.’^[7]

It is evident, therefore, that in the Primitive Church absolute uniformity in rites and ceremonies was not considered desirable or essential.  But as the influence of the Church of Rome spread, she tried to bring all local customs into conformity with the Roman customs.  Article XXXIV is a reply to the Council of Trent’s refusal to recognize National Churches, and its insistence on uniformity of doctrine, ceremonial, and discipline.