Rorate Caeli

Summorum Pontificum for pilgrims to the Holy Land; TLM forbidden in the regular parishes of the Latin Patriarchate

The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem made public today a decree (original text: French) on the application of Summorum Pontificum in its jurisdiction:


DECREE No. 49/2011

On the use of the Liturgy
in the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite


To the Rev. Rectors of the Basilicas and Sanctuaries,

In the parishes and chaplaincies of the diocese of the Latin Patriarchate, the Eucharist is always celebrated according to the ordinary form of the Roman Missal approved by the servant of God Pope Paul VI (1970) and promulgated in its third edition by the Blessed Pope John Paul II (2000).

Considering the consistent number of basilicas and sanctuaries built on the holy places and open to the reception of pilgrims coming from the entire world, the celebration of the Eucharist according to the extraordinary form remains always exceptional. It is only allowed to the groups of pilgrims already used to its usage in their country. It is subjected to the norms contained in the Instruction of the application of the Apostolic Letter Summorum Pontificum (April 30, 2011), published by the Pontifical Commision Ecclesia Dei.

For the spiritual good of these pilgrims,

The Patriarch, FOUAD TWAL,

Diocesan Ordinary,

with the consent of his Episcopal Council,

orders that,

in the Basilicas and sanctuaries,


the norms contained in the instruction be observed, along with the following:

1. All those in charge of a basilica or sanctuary, either a rector or a sacristan, must behave in a welcoming spirit, of pastoral zeal and prudence.

2. Demand from the priest who asks to celebrate to show the 'Celebret' document before preparing what is needed for the celebration of the Eucharist according to the extraordinary form.

3. No priest is allowed to celebrate the Eucharist according to the Extraordinary Form without a sufficient knowledge of the rite.

4. The rector must furnish the basilica or sanctuary of which he is in charge of the Roman Missal promulgated by Blessed Pope John XXIII in 1962; the Missal of Pius V must not be used.

5. Those in charge of the sacristy of a basilica of sanctuary must have at disposal the ornaments and liturgical material required for the celebration of the Eucharist according to the Extraordinary form.

6. It is recommended that each basilica or sanctuary have an altar in a side chapel that allows for the celebration of the Eucharist with the back to the people.

7. Concelebration not being allowed in the Extraordinary form of the Roman Rite, and in order not have the holy place occupied with individual celebrations, priests in pilgrimage that are present must participate in the Eucharist celebrated by one among them.

8. The rector of the basilica or sanctuary will not allow the administration of the sacraments of baptism, confirmation, and marriage without the express permission of the local Ordinary; it is obligatory to follow the directives.

9. The ceremony of diaconal, presbyteral or episcopal ordination is never allowed without the formal written approval of the Patriarch of Jerusalem. Disobedience is punished with the sanctions foreseen by the CIC. [Code of Canon Law]

10. Priests of the Fraternity of Saint Pius X (known as Lefebvrists) may celebrate in the basilicas and sanctuaries in private and without publicizing their initiatives.

Granted in Jerusalem, on September 23, 2011.

† Fouad Twal

Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem
[Tip: reader; original language: French]