Rorate Caeli

Cardinal Ricard on the Motu Proprio: "The Pope takes his time"

The Archdiocese of Bordeaux and the Institute of the Good Shepherd-IBP (that is, Cardinal Ricard and Father Laguérie) have at last reached a settlement on the canonical establishment of a Personal Parish for the Institute in Saint-Éloi. The relevant documents are available in French in the diocesan website (1, 2, 3, 4).

In an interview to the semi-official daily of the Church in France, La Croix, and which was published today, Cardinal Ricard discussed the deal with the IBP and also said the following:

The decision of September 8 [the Roman establishment of the Institute] generated a shock wave within French Catholicism and several questions remain regarding an eventual motu proprio liberalizing the Tridentine Mass. You are a member of the Ecclesia Dei Commission in charge of this matter in Rome; will the Holy See truly pursue this way of reform?

Benedict XVI wishes to pursue a work of reconciliation with these priests and faithful who have left the full communion with the See of Peter (in particular, the Fraternity of Saint Pius X).He also ponders the question of a "liberalization" of the Tridentine Mass. The Pope has in his hands all the elements of the dossier. He takes his time before reaching a decision on a matter of such importance.