While we maintain our caveat regarding specific dates, it is simply impossible to ignore several important details of the present article, entirely translated from the famous and credible Italian website of Papal news Petrus: supposed excerpts of the actual Cover Letter to be sent to all bishops, details of the Press Conference which would host the public announcement of the document, as well as a clear declaration from an extremely credible source, Nicola Bux.
The Traditional Mass is presented in some detail to those who do not know it, though one clear weakness of the article is the fact that the very name of the document still seems to be ignored -- which seems peculiar considering the other details presented in the article.
Exclusive: "Motu Proprio" signed by the Pope, liberalization of Latin Mass imminent
by Bruno Volpe
The Papal "Motu Proprio" for the liberalization of the Latin Mass according to the Tridentine rite of Saint Pius V is ready, is about to be translated into several languages and will be published right before the departure of Benedict XVI for the summer vacation. [Rorate Cæli note: The Pope's early vacation this summer will be spent in a small villa owned by the Diocese of Treviso, in the tiny hamlet of Lorenzago di Cadore, Province of Belluno, in the Veneto region, in the July 9-27 period.]
The text has already been signed by the Pontiff, who has even written a long exaplanatory letter, of a theological character, "addressed to all the Bishops of the world", as it can be read in its introduction, "so that they may receive this document with serenity and patience".
The Pope thus asks the Bishops, the clergy, and the faithful for a serene mood in the acceptance of the "Motu Proprio", which will be presented in a Press Conference by Cardinals Francis Arinze, Dario Castrillon Hoyos, and Julian Herranz.
The delay in the publication of the document seems to be related to strong oppositions from some sectors of the clergy (especially from the French Episcopal Conference).
Monsignor Nicola Bux (a personal friend of the Pope), a theologian and collaborator of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, declares: "You may write calmly [that] Pope Benedict XVI loves agreement and collaboration, and does not wish to decide everything on his own, which is why he has heard several and repeated opinions, but the Motu Proprio for the liberalization of the Latin Mass has been signed and its publication is imminent, I would say it is a matter of days."
The Tridentine Mass is completely celebrated in Latin, with the exception of a few words and sentences in Ancient Greek and in Hebrew; it is interspersed with long periods of silence, to allow the faithful to adequately meditate on the greatness of the Eucharistic mystery which they are called to attend. The faithful follow the liturgy reading the bilingual handmissal or leaflet, which carry, side by side with the Latin text, the integral translation of the actions in Italian or in the other national languages.
It is not only the use of the ecclesiastical and universal language ("Catholic" means precisely universal) which represents the sole standing difference between the Tridentine Mass and the modern one. The priest, differently than what takes place in the course of the new rite, turns his back to the faithful, as he celebrates turned to the tabernacle and the altar which constitutes the representation of Calvary; the image is that of the celebrant who guides the people.
The Gospel is always read at the right side of the altar, while the Epistle on the left side (from whence the terms "in cornu evangelii" and "in cornu epistulae"). Communion - only the Host [sic] for the faithful - is received while kneeling and in the mouth.
[The faithful] mostly kneel during Mass, because [they] believe in its great mystery, because [they] believe in the real presence of Jesus in body, blood, soul, and divinity, because kneeling is the posture of the humble sinner who begs for God's mercy.
The limitation of the Tridentine Mass by the Second Vatican Council [sic] has been the main cause of the schism between the followers of French bishop Marcel Lefebvre and the Church of Rome. A painful schism [i.e. "schismatic group"], which arose in the Pontificate of John Paul II, which, with the "Motu Proprio" of Benedict XVI, seems destined to return definitively.
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In the picture: Fr. Uwe Michael Lang, Abp. Albert Ranjith and Rev. Prof. Nicola Bux pose before a press conference for the Italian Version of "Turning towards the Lord" by Uwe Michael Lang with a preface by Joseph Ratzinger (Rome, April 27, 2006).
In the picture: Fr. Uwe Michael Lang, Abp. Albert Ranjith and Rev. Prof. Nicola Bux pose before a press conference for the Italian Version of "Turning towards the Lord" by Uwe Michael Lang with a preface by Joseph Ratzinger (Rome, April 27, 2006).
