What does Pope Francis’ new document mean for the traditional Latin Mass?

February 21, 2023 / 6:20 pm

The Vatican Press Office published on February 21.Rescriptum ex visitors”, in a document Pope Francis affirms two major decisions in the celebration of the traditional Mass in Latin, also known as “Tridentine”.

The document gives an account of an audience the Holy Father gave on February 20 to Cardinal Arthur Roche, head of the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Order of the Sacraments, and notes that they addressed “his practice”. Motu proprio tradition guardians on July 16, 2021”.

Pope Francis, in his meeting with Cardinal Roach, said that “periods reserved for the Apostolic Congregation in a special way” include “the use of a parish church or the establishment of a private parish.” Missale Roman 1962”, the Missal was used for the celebration of the traditional Mass in Latin.

In addition, the Holy Father established that only the Vatican can issue a “license” to ordained priests after it has been issued. Motu proprio tradition guardians To celebrate with him Missale Roman Since 1962”.

“As provided in Art. 7 in Motu proprio tradition guardiansThe Department for the Regulation of Divine Worship and Rituals exercises the authority of the Holy See in the above cases, supervising compliance with the rules”.

“If a diocesan bishop has granted dismissals in either of the above-mentioned cases, he is obliged to inform the Department of the Order of Divine Liturgy and Sacraments, which evaluates individual cases,” continues the document published by the Office of the Sacred Press. See

He motu proprio summorum pontificum It was promulgated by Pope Benedict XVI in 2007, and it allowed priests to celebrate the traditional Mass “on any day except the Holy Triduum” without the permission of the Holy See or the local bishop.

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On July 16, 2021, Pope Francis announced this Motu proprio tradition guardians, Controlling the celebration of the Tridentine Mass and requiring the approval of the local bishop and the Holy See.


How does this affect the current celebration of the Trinity Mass?

Father Francisco Torres, an expert on liturgy for the Diocese of Placencia (Spain), pointed out that the document approved by Pope Francis “reaffirms two things.” at their own discretion Traditional guardians. First, the Holy See reserves the right to license ordained priests to celebrate the traditional Mass after the consecration. Traditional guardians”.

“Pre-ordained, meanwhile motu proprio summorum pontificumThis will not affect them,” he said.

The Spanish priest also pointed out that the Vatican “reserves the right to authorize the establishment of individual parishes or the celebration of Tridentine Masses in ecclesiastical parishes.”

(Article to be continued later)

According to Code of Canon Law, “As a general rule, the Church must be territorial, that is, it must include all the faithful of a given territory”. However, he adds, “In appropriate places, individual parishes may be established because of the rite, language or nationality of the faithful of a territory, or even for another specific reason.”

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Father Torres explained that the Tridentine Mass “can be celebrated in any Catholic temple, but”. Traditional guardians He said that not in churches, but in temples without parochialism”.

“And the Pope has reaffirmed these two things, which are reserved for the Holy See,” he said.

Eden Hayes

"Wannabe gamer. Subtly charming beer buff. General pop culture trailblazer. Incurable thinker. Certified analyst."

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