Rorate Caeli

For the Record - Le Figaro: the document is on the Pope's desk

From the French daily Le Figaro:

Latin Mass: Benedict XVI takes his time

Hervé Yannou (at the Vatican)
Published March 3 2007

The project of a pontifical decree liberalizing the celebration of the Mass in Latin according to the ancient rite has not been shelved. The document is on the desk of Benedict XVI. It remains to be known when and how he will decide to publish a text which greatly interests him [lui tient à coeur] and what will be its exact content. The rebellion of the French episcopate at the time of the first news on the document last fall had deeply affected the Pope. The perception of the question of Catholic Integrists [sic] is not the same on both sides of the Alps. The diplomats of the Holy See had not always understood the parties and political divisions of this "liturgical war".

The Roman Curia is divided. ... Benedict XVI thus takes his time to prepare the publication and reception of the text. He could have therefore changed the juridical nature of the decree. He could make it public particularly following the publication of the final text of the Synod on the Eucharist, assembled in October 2005.Expected for several months, the Pope's conclusions to the reflections of the bishops of the entire world should face the question of the celebration of the Mass. The text could therefore include some indications. Benedict XVI has publicly announced that he would shortly sign this exhortation...


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P.S. Post at Paix Liturgique à Reims (French only).