The Cardinal Vicar of the diocese of Rome has just released his norms for the implementation of Traditionis Custodes within the diocese. First the English translation; the original document is below.
VICARIATO DI ROMA
Rome, October 7, 2021 [released to the public November 9, 2021]
- To all the priests involved in the pastoral care of the Diocese of Rome
- To all the faithful of the Diocese
The Diocese of Rome, welcoming the provisions of the Apostolic Letter in the form of a motu proprio of the Holy Father Francis Traditionis Custodes of July 16, 2021, intends with this Pastoral Letter to continue the work of “facilitating ecclesial communion for those Catholics who feel bound to some previous liturgical forms” (John Paul II, Litt. Ap. Motu proprio datae Ecclesia Dei, July 2, 1988), already underway in the City for many years.
To this end, it seemed opportune to continue to exercise a lively pastoral charity towards the faithful who “do not exclude the validity and legitimacy of the liturgical reform, the dictates of the Second Vatican Council and the Magisterium of the Supreme Pontiffs” (art. 3 §1, Traditionis Custodes) and who nevertheless wish to participate in the celebration of the Eucharist according to the Missale Romanum of 1962. For the spiritual good of the faithful, it is appropriate to offer precise coordinates for the implementation of the motu proprio.
The motu proprio establishes that the “liturgical books promulgated by the Holy Pontiffs Paul VI and John Paul II, in conformity with the decrees of the Second Vatican Council, are the sole expression of the lex orandi of the Roman Rite” (art. 1, Traditionis Custodes) and that therefore it is no longer possible to use the Roman Ritual and the other liturgical books of the “ancient rite” for the celebration of sacraments and sacramentals (e.g., the Ritual for the reconciliation of penitents according to the ancient form). The use of the other Ordines, therefore, is currently expressly forbidden and only the use of the Missale Romanum of 1962 remains permitted.
Moreover, all priests—diocesan or religious—who wish to continue to avail themselves of the faculty of celebrating according to the Missale Romanum of 1962 in the territory of the Diocese of Rome must first be authorized in writing by the diocesan Bishop (cf. art. 5, Traditionis Custodes).
All requests concerning the implementation of the motu proprio are to be sent in writing to me, the Cardinal Vicar, who will regulate them through a Commissioner designated by me for the ordinary management of all the fulfilments that fall within the competence of the diocesan Ordinary, especially for the purpose of the correct exercise of the faculties recognized by the P.M. for the faithful who intend to avail themselves of the prerogatives provided for therein. He is endowed with delegated power (cf. can. 131 §1 C.I.C.) and his office is to be kept distinct from that provided for in art. 3 §4 of the P.M., which for the moment will not be activated in the Diocese of Rome, since it is not necessary. In fact, I confirm the entrusting pro tempore to the Parish Priest of Santissima Trinità dei Pellegrini of the task of taking care of the dignified celebration of the Eucharistic liturgy, as well as of the ordinary pastoral and spiritual care of these faithful. He will carry out this office animated by a lively pastoral charity and by a sense of ecclesial communion; he will act in close communion and collaboration with the incumbent mentioned above.
In view of the above, I hereby decree that the Director of the Liturgical Office of the Vicariate of Rome shall hold the office of pro tempore Commissioner for the implementation of the motu proprio Traditionis Custodes.
Coming to some necessary specific determinations, I further decree the following:
- all requests specifically related to art. 3 §2 of the motu proprio must explicitly mention the Church or Oratory in which the celebration is intended (except parish churches, cf. art. 3 §2 Traditionis Custodes);
- every day, except the Easter Triduum, the faithful may participate in the celebration of the Eucharist according to the Missale Romanum of 1962 in the parish of Santissima Trinità dei Pellegrini (cf. art. 3 §5, Traditionis Custodes);
- in the churches of St. Dominic and St. Sixtus, St. Celsus and St. Julian, St. Joseph at Capo le Case and St. Anne at the Lateran, the faithful may participate in the celebration of the Eucharist according to the Missale Romanum of 1962, to be celebrated at a time agreed upon with the Rector of the church and with the person in charge mentioned above, possibly also on Sundays and feast days of obligation (excluding the Easter Triduum);
- the readings will always be proclaimed in Italian, according to the CE.I. 2008 translation (cf. art. 3 §3, Traditionis Custodes).
Trusting in the confident acceptance by all of what I have disposed, I bless you with affection and accompany you with my prayers.
Angelo Card. DE DONATIS
Vicar General of His Holiness
for the Diocese of Rome
Prot. no. 1845/21
Original letter
