Introduction (nos. 1-8) briefly recalls the history of the Roman Missal =
up
to the last edition of John XXIII in 1962 and the new Missal approved by
Paul VI in 1970 following the liturgical reform of Vatican Council II. =
It
repeats the fundamental principle that there are "two forms of the Roman
Liturgy, defined respectively as extraordinaria and ordinaria: they are =
two
usages of the one Roman Rite, one alongside the other. Both are the
expression of the same lex orandi of the Church. On account of its =
venerable
Subject: VISnews 110513
Organization: VIS - Ufficio Stampa della Santa Sede
From: Vatican Information Service - Eng - txt
and ancient use, the forma extraordinaria is to be maintained with
appropriate honor" (n. 6).
The purpose of the Motu Proprio, expressed in the following three =
points,
bears repeating: a) to offer to all the faithful the Roman Liturgy in =
its
most ancient usage, considered as a precious treasure to be preserved; =
b) to
effectively guarantee and ensure, for all who ask for it, the use of the
forma extraordinaria; and c) to promote reconciliation at the heart of =
the
Church (cf. n. 8).
A brief section of the document (nos. 9-11) recalls the tasks and =
powers
of the Commission Ecclesia Dei, to which the Pope "has conferred =
ordinary
vicarious power" on the subject. Among others, this has two very =
important
consequences. First of all, this Commission can decide on recourses
legitimately sent to it against eventual measures taken by bishops or =
other
Ordinaries that seem to be in conflict with the dispositions of the Motu
Proprio (while retaining the possibility of further challenging the
decisions of the Commission itself before the Supreme Tribunal of the
Apostolic Signatura). Moreover, it falls to the Commission, with the
approval of the Congregation for Divine Worship, to take care of =
eventual
editions of liturgical texts for the forma extraordinaria of the Roman =
Rite
(for example, it is to be hoped that, following the document, new saints =
and
new prefaces will be added).
The properly normative part of the document (nos. 12-35) contains 23 =
brief
points on different topics.
The competence of diocesan bishops to implement the Motu Proprio is
reasserted, with the reminder that in cases of controversy regarding the
celebration in the forma extraordinaria, the Commission Ecclesia Dei =
will
adjudicate.
It clarifies the concept of coetus fidelium stabiliter existens =
("where
there exists a stable group of faithful"), whose desire to attend the
celebration in the forma extraordinaria is to be willingly accepted by
pastors. While leaving an evaluation of the number of persons necessary =
to
constitute such a group to the prudent assessment of the pastors, it
specifies that it not be necessarily constituted by persons belonging to =
a
single parish, but can be composed of persons coming from different =
parishes
or even different dioceses. Always keeping in mind respect for the =
widest
pastoral needs, the Instruction proposes a spirit of "generous welcome"
toward the groups of faithful who request the forma extraordinaria and =
the
priests who occasionally ask to celebrate that form with some faithful.
Also very important is the clarification (n. 19) according to which =
the
faithful who request the celebration of the forma extraordinaria "must =
not
in any way support or belong to groups which show themselves to be =
against
the validity or legitimacy of the Holy Mass or the Sacraments celebrated =
in
the forma ordinaria" or against the Pope's authority as Supreme Pastor =
of
the Universal Church. Such would, in fact, be in obvious contradiction =
of
the purpose of the Motu's "reconciliation".
Important indications regarding the "qualified priest" to celebrate =
the
forma extraordinaria are also given. Naturally, he should not have
impediments from a canonical aspect. He should know Latin sufficiently =
well
and know the rite to be celebrated. Bishops should, therefore, make =
adequate
formation possible in the seminaries to such ends and the possibility is
noted, if other qualified priests are unavailable, of the assistance of
priests from the Institutes established by the Commission Ecclesia Dei
(which normally use the forma extraordinaria).
The Instruction repeats that every priest, whether diocesan or =
religious,
has the right to celebrate the Mass sine popolo (without a congregation) =
in
the forma extraordinaria if they so desire. Therefore, if it is a
celebration with the participation of only one minister, the individual
religious do not need the permission of their superiors.
Always in reference to the forma extraordinaria, there follow norms
regarding the liturgical rubrics and use of liturgical books (such as =
the
Ritual, the Pontifical, and the Ceremonial of Bishops), the possibility =
of
using the vernacular for the readings (proclaimed either after the Latin
language readings or even in alternative to them in "Low Masses"), the
possibility for clerics to use the pre-reform Breviary, and the =
possibility
of celebrating the Sacred Triduum of Holy Week for groups of faithful =
who
request the ancient rite. As regards holy ordination, the use of ancient
liturgical books is only permitted in the Institutes that are under the
Commission Ecclesia Dei.
On finishing the letter, one is left with the impression of a
well-balanced text that intends to promote - as intended by the Pope - a
serene usage of the pre-reform liturgy by priests and faithful who feel =
its
sincere desire for their spiritual well-being: even more, a text that
intends to guarantee the legitimacy and efficacy of such usage in =
keeping
with what is reasonably possible. At the same time, the text is animated
with trust in the bishops' pastoral wisdom and insists very strongly on =
a
spirit of ecclesial communion that should be present in all - faithful,
priests, and bishops - so that the purpose of reconciliation, so evident =
in
the Holy Father's decision, not be hindered or frustrated but fostered =
and
attained".
OP/ VIS 20110513
(1260)
AUDIENCES
VATICAN CITY, 13 MAY 2011 (VIS) - The Holy Father today received in =
separate
audiences:
- Six prelates from the Bishops' Conference of India on their ad limina
visit:
- Bishop Joseph Aind, S.D.B., of Dibrugarh,
- Bishop John Moolachira of Diphu=20
- Bishop John Thomas Kattrukudiyil of Itanagar
- Bishop George Palliparambil, S.D.B., of Miao
- Bishop Michael Akasius Toppo of Tezpur
- Bishop Cyprian Monis of Asansol.
This afternoon, the Holy Father is scheduled to receive in audience
Cardinal William Joseph Levada, prefect of the Congregation for the =
Doctrine
of the Faith.
AL/ VIS 20110513
(90)
OTHER PONTIFICAL ACTS
VATICAN CITY, 13 MAY 2011 (VIS) - Today the Holy Father appointed:
- Fr. Jose Lampra Ca of the clergy of Bissau, Guinea-Bissau, as =
auxiliary
of that same diocese. Bissau (area 11,490, population 1,049,000, =
Catholics
165,000, priests 64, religious 196), Guinea-Bissau. The bishop-elect was
born in 1964 in Blom, Biombo, Giunea-Bissau and was ordained a priest in
1997. He was formerly rector of the St. Kizito Minor Seminary and =
professor
of philosophy in the Major Seminary of Bissau.
- Archbishop Jose Octavio Ruiz Arenas, emeritus of Villavicencio and
formerly vice president of the Pontifical Commission for Latin America, =
as
Secretary of the Pontifical Council for Promoting New Evangelization. =
His
Holiness also appointed Msgr. Graham Bell, formerly secretary =
coordinator of
the Pontifical Academy for Life, as undersecretary of the same =
Pontifical
Council.
NEA:NA/ VIS 20110513 (120)=20
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