Prayer for the Jews: Bertone tells Jewish leaders: "We ask for reciprocity" - and other news on Moscow and Encyclical

At the end of his voyage to Armenia and Azerbaijan, the Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, granted an interview to Italian news agency ANSA - released yesterday and republished today by Italian Catholic website Korazym. On the issue of the reformed Prayer for the Jews, Cardinal Bertone had some stern words - and ANSA also heard the opinion of the Chief Rabbi of Rome:

PRAYER FOR THE JEWS.

Reciprocity: the Cardinal asks for it regarding the controversy in the Jewish world surrounding the change of the Good Friday prayer of the Tridentine Rite for the conversion of the Jews. The matter refers only to "a very specific portion of the Catholic world", Bertone explained and, nonetheless, "prayers which might or should be modified" exist "for both parties". According to the Cardinal, "nobody wishes that one party change its own identity or be forced to perform acts, gestures, or to say prayers which do not conform to its own tradition, even to its own faith. And, therefore - he continued - it is an attitude of reciprocity which is asked, of respect for the affirmation of one's own identity, without desiring the forced conversion of anyone, but proposing one's own faith with maximum respect".

Immediate reply from the Chief Rabbi of Rome, Riccardo Di Segni, according to whom "the Jewish prayers have already been 'self-censored' centuries ago". "The essential information - Di Segni observes - is that today there is not any reference to Christians in our prayers, which have already been the object of repeated interventions of censorship and self-censorship. The Hebrew texts were modified centuries ago, long before the [Second Vatican] Council." "Another fundamental difference is that regarding the use which is made of the prayer"- the rabbi still adds. "No Jew in the world has never asked anyone to convert, while, instead, the principle of faith of a prayer which asks for the conversion of the Jews has been constantly accompanied by a missionary pressure."

Bertone also had interesting words on other matters: the time of a meeting between Pope Benedict and the Patriarch of Moscow "is approaching". On the release of the Pope's third encyclical, Bertone reveals that it shall "not be published before the Pope's summer vacation" - in Bressanone (South Tyrol), from July 28 to August 11, 2008.

Don Guido - IV

Paolo Luigi Rodari presents in Il Reformista a profile of the new Master of Pontifical Liturgical Ceremonies (excerpts, due to copyright limitations):

[Cardinal Siri,] A prelate careful to all that the Tradition of the Church has handed over, even and especially in liturgical matters. So careful that there are those who say today that, if he were still alive, he would be, more than anyone else, glad with the liberalization of the ancient rite promoted by Ratzinger thanks to the motu proprio Summorum Pontificum. A liberalization which monsignor Guido certainly sees with benevolence, if it be true - as it is true - that also thanks to his work as cerimoniere of Archbishops Tettamanzi and Bertone, and Bagnasco up to yesterday, the ancient Genoese liturgical school has shone again and has shown its beauty in the cathedral of San Lorenzo.

A splendor which originates from the work of monsignor Moglia, a man for whom the vision of the Bugninist school (to which belongs the now former papal cerimoniere Piero Marini), according to which Vatican II broke with the past also in liturgical matters, was something to be rejected because of its falsehood.
...
In the Vatican, there is a small office expecting [don Guido]: three monsignors (Enrico Viganò, Giulio Viviani e Konrad Krajewski) and two addetti to the Papal Sacristy (Mario Mattei e Giuseppe Viscardi) who propably expected anything, except the nomination of a head of ceremonies from outside of their office.

Yet, Ratzinger has decided so. His will is to have a cerimoniere who is not a protagonist (never before as in the age of Piero Marini was a Papal cerimoniere so much spoken of) and who knows how to give to his ceremonies that sumptuosity mixed with sobriety which has not always been seen recently inside the Vatican walls.

...

Don Guido - III - Confirmed

1. Monsignor Guido Marini, new Master of Pontifical Liturgical Ceremonies.

2. Archbishop Piero Marini, new president of the Pontifical Committee for International Eucharistic Congresses.

Will the Pope celebrate a Traditional Mass on December 2?

Maybe, it is rumored. Luigi Accattoli, Vaticanist of Italy's largest newspaper, Corriere della Sera, reports today:

Luigi Accattoli

CITTÀ DEL VATICANO— ... [T]he nomination of the new "Master of Ceremonies" is expected for the next few days, in substitution of Archbishop Piero Marini. After the arrival of the new cerimoniere, it is "probable" that the Pope will celebrate a Mass in the old rite, in Saint Peter's, obviously entirely in Latin: it could take place on December 2, First Sunday in Advent.

If that celebration truly happens, the passage of power between the current and the future "Master of Ceremonies" will have a generational and symbolical significance, for a Pope has not celebrated with the old Missal for over forty years: for a traditional "Papal Mass", it is necessary to move back to before 1965, the closing year of the Second Vatican Council, when Paul VI introduced the first changes.

It is said that the new "Master" is another Marini, in his last name, his first name being Guido, a Genoese priest up to now unknown in Rome. It is said that he was presented to the Pope by Cardinal Bertone, who esteems him [after] having had him as cerimoniere in Genoa. Nothing is known about his position regarding the old Missal, but it is supposed that he would be more favorable to it than the Marini currently in charge, who is a passionate supporter of the liturgical reform.

Nothing precise is known of the intention of the Pope to give to the bishops an "example" of spontaneous use of the old rite - other than through granting of the demands of the faithful (as the motu proprio [Summorum Pontificum] which he published in July foresees). The rumor comes from the lips of those who hope that gesture and who say that it would definitively "disencumber" the old Missal, which still faces resistances, despite the recent "liberalization", as well as from those who fear that the Pope may accomplish this gesture, because it would be "another step away from the Council".

"It is only a rumor for the moment - says a monsignore who is neither favorable nor opposed to it -, but everyone talks about it here [in the Vatican], and I believe that he will do it even if he risks raising controversy, because Catholics who are under fifty have never seen a Pope celebrate with his back turned to the people and pronouncing the 'Eucharistic prayer' sottovoce. In the meantime, the 'court' that accompanied the Pontiff in the celebrations has been abolished and I would really like to see how the old Papal Mass would be carried out today!"

...

The new Marini and Vian [new director of L'Osservatore Romano] will assume their offices after October 21: on that day, the Pope will be visiting Naples, and that will be the last public occasion for Mario Agnes ... and Marini senior.

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Source: Corriere della Sera; Transcript: Papa Ratzinger Blog.
In the picture: Pope Saint Pius X celebrates Mass at the Altar of the Cathedra, in the apse of Saint Peter's.

Bertone speaks: on the Reform of the Curia and Summorum Pontificum

In an interview on his first year in office to Avvenire, the semi-official news daily of the Italian Episcopal Conference (CEI), the Secretary of State, Cardinal Bertone, shared his thoughts on a possible reform of the Roman Curia and on the first steps in the implementation of Summorum Pontificum.

Excerpts:

[Avvenire:] The possibility of restructuring of the Roman Curia has been often discussed in the past. Is an organic reform for streamlining the Curia truly under consideration?

It is a hypothesis still on the level of studying and verifying the experiences of the application of the Apostolic Constitution Pastor Bonus, of John Paul II, and I therefore cannot speak more of it.

[Avvenire:] It has been said that the Pope "writes books and gives the impression of having decided not to lead. Even if Bertone seems to have the temptation to do so [lead]...". Do you see yourself in this description?

Absolutely not. The Pope has a great awareness of his role as Supreme Pontiff of the Universal Church with all the obligations and duties which this entails. For my part, I am simply his Secretary of State, with the responsibility on the workings of that structure which is at the service of the mission of the Bishop of Rome, and I try to accomplish my duty in perfect communion with Pope Benedict XVI.

[Avvenire:] September 14 signals the coming into force of the motu proprio Summorum Pontificum. You had hoped, in these columns [of Avvenire], for a serene reception of this document. Did [the serene reception] indeed happen?

Substantially, yes. Moreover, if common sense, and not ideologisms of diverse natures, prevails, I do not believe that there will be problems in the application of Summorum Pontificum. Nonetheless, I notice, when visiting several local Churches, that the knowledge of the Latin language is decreasing ever more, and maybe the occasion for its recovery should not be lost, for the heritage which it has handed down.

Don Guido

The current Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Genoa, Monsignor Guido Marini - who also is the Prefect of the ancient Cathedral of San Lorenzo and Archdiocesan Master of Ceremonies (Cerimoniere), as well as spiritual director of the Archdiocesan seminary and professor of Canon Law in several institutions -, has been named by several Italian journalists as the man who will replace Archbishop Piero Marini (no relation) as Master of Pontifical Liturgical Ceremonies.

First, Andrea Tornielli, on the September 2 edition of Il Giornale; now, Sandro Magister. The most interesting report, though, is that of a local Genoese news site, Primocanale, which details several changes in the local Curia, related to the probable departure of Don Guido Marini for Rome - and which would seem to indicate that the Papal move is imminent.

UPDATE (2245 GMT): It seems to be all but certain, as even Zenit (German edition) reports this imminent move (tip: Berolinensis).

Update:

We thank the reader who sent us this confusing Reuters dispatch (Vatican: We may drop revived prayer offensive to Jews), but details of what Cardinal Bertone would have exactly said in the press conference regarding this question do not seem absolutely clear.

Italian news agency Apcom reports that the Cardinal said: "It is true, one prays for the conversion of the Jews in the Missal of 1962... but the problem could be studied and it could be established that all say the formula approved by Paul VI".

Bertone added that, "The observance of the motu proprio would solve all problems" [this would also have been said by the Cardinal, according to the several news agencies, regarding the words of Art. 2 of Summorum Pontificum, which forbids "private masses" for both forms of the Roman Rite in the Sacred Triduum - though, as has been made clear elsewhere, not "public celebrations"]. It does seem that the Cardinal wisely wished to defuse the question with this answer.

The exact unabridged words of the Cardinal on the press conference granted in Lorenzago di Cadore today do not seem to be available.

UPDATE (1200 GMT): The exact question to Cardinal Bertone regarding this matter and his answer were made available today. They reinforce our view that the Cardinal simply wished to defuse an uncomfortable question, and did it wisely.

There has been a great debate regarding the Motu proprio on the Tridentine Mass. How do you see the reactions of the Jews, who feel offended because it still contains an invitation to their conversion?

[Bertone:] The Jews, as John Paul II said, remain our older brothers. In the first [sic] Canon of that Mass, "our Father Abraham, father in the faith, and the High Priest Melchisedech" [sic] are invoked. I know of many rabbis who are glad about this. The formula regarding the Jews? The word 'perfidious' has already been removed. The problem of the "conversion" may be solved with a decision valid for all. For instance, using the formula of the liturgy for Holy Friday of Paul VI. Moreover, every priest may choose between the Tridentine Missal and that of Paul VI in the triduum of Holy Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. It is also fair to value the richness and beauty of the Latin language. Did you know that in China hundreds of universities have asked the Salesians [to provide] Latin instructors?

Source: Repubblica; Transcript: Papa Ratzinger.

Updates:

-1) The website of the Vatican City State has been launched.

-2) The Holy See has agreed with the designation, by the "Patriotic Association", of the new Bishop of Beijing, Father Li Shan (according to Italian news agency ADNKronos -Update: ADNKronos has removed its original story; in his press conference in Cadore today, Cardinal Bertone has denied that previous approval was sought of the Holy See, but added that "the chosen Bishop is a very good and qualified individual and this is certainly a very positive sign"; Li was in the shortlist of episcopal candidates for Beijing regarding whom the Holy See had not presented any objection).

-3) Over 140 reports of episcopal reactions to Summorum Pontificum from around the world are available here; please, keep them coming.

Recess continues.

Motu proprio notes: playing ecclesiastical telephone and "the last word"

The news flood of the past few hours may have left some confused. For instance, an ANSA dispatch on the motu proprio includes the following*:

From last December, behind the scenes, various modifications were made to the original document, to grant to the bishops – or so it seems – to nevertheless have "the last word".

"The role of the bishop is central in the dispositions of the order of celebrations", the Cardinal Secretary of State, Tarcisio Bertone, explained today, commenting on the Motu Proprio. With the restoration of the pre-Conciliar liturgy, he added, it was desired above all to give homage to the "great riches of tradition".

The use of quotation marks could leave some with the impression that Cardinal Bertone himself used the expression "the last word" when speaking of episcopal power on the matter. Alas, that was not the case.

The expression "the last word" was first found in the past 24 hours in the La Croix story we translated and posted yesterday and was picked up by the Italian papal news website Petrus, which added the quotation marks: "From last December, behind the scenes, various modifications were made to the original document, to grant to the bishops – or so it seems – to nevertheless have 'the last word' on liturgical celebrations in their dioceses." This almost exact text, which did not include any declaration by Cardinal Bertone, was later introduced by ANSA in its dispatch, causing the impression that the Cardinal had spoken it (in the picture, the Cardinal celebrates his farewell Mass in Genoa, according to the new rite).

What the Cardinal actually said today, as reported by Petrus in another story, included the following:

"Yesterday afternoon, a meeting on the 'motu proprio' which delineates a few conditions for the celebration of the Mass according to the Missal of John XXIII of 1962 took place at the Vatican, and the Pope explained his motivations. The 'motu proprio' will be published with all its rules in the next few days and it will come into effect soon afterwards."
...

"In addition, there is a beautiful personal letter of the Pope to all the bishops of the world which explains the why of reevaluating and rediscovering the pre-Conciliar liturgical form, [which is] a great wealth."
...

"The role of the bishop is central in the dispositions of the order of celebrations, priests are not autonomous but submitted to the bishop, who refers [fare riferimento] to the Pope and to the liturgy of the universal Church; there is a communion and there must be harmony in this beautiful orchestra."

The Cardinal, therefore, never said that the bishops will have "the last word".

Considering the closeness of the date of publication of the motu proprio on the liberalization of the Traditional Roman Rite and its accompanying letter, and to prevent this sort of mix-up, we will avoid commenting on the contents of both documents (for instance, on what would be limits of episcopal power in the matter), until the actual texts are publicly known.

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*Translation courtesy of Father Zuhlsdorf.

Urgent news: Bertone confirms Motu proprio [yet again, and shortly]

Secretary of State Cardinal Bertone, in the last question of the interview granted to this Sunday's issue of the semi-official daily of the Italian Episcopal Conference (CEI), Avvenire:

[Avvenire:] Your Eminence, please allow me two other questions. Is the announced letter of the Pope to the Chinese Catholics ready?

The text of the letter has been definitively approved by the Holy Father and now the various translations and technical aspects of its publication are being prepared.

[Avvenire:] And the equally expected motu proprio which would liberalize the use the the Missal said of Saint Pius V, at what stage is it?

I believe one will not wait long to see it published. The Pope is personally interested that this should take place. He will explain it in his accompanying letter, expecting a serene reception.

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[Literal translation]

Update: Bertone confirms Motu Proprio

UPDATE: Full text of the interview (Le Figaro Magazine, "Bertone: 'Foi et raison ne s'opposent pas'"), one of the three articles of the special cover story "Les quatre vérités du Vatican".

____________________________________

Excerpt:

[Le Figaro Magazine:] Is a Decree widening the possibility of celebrating the Latin Mass according to the rite from before Vatican II (the so-called Mass of Saint Pius V) still expected?

[Secretary of State Cardinal Bertone:] The merit of the conciliar liturgical reform is intact. But both [for reasons of] not losing the great liturgical heritage left by Saint Pius V and for granting the wish of those faithful who desire to attend Masses according to this rite, within the framework of the Missal published in 1962 by Pope John XXIII, with its own calendar, there is no valid reason not to grant to priests in the entire world the right to celebrate according to this form. The authorization of the Supreme Pontiff would evidently preserve the validity of the rite of Paul VI. The publication of the motu proprio which specifies this authorisation will take place, but it will be the pope himself who will explain his motivations and the framework of his decision. The Sovereign Pontiff will personally explain his vision for the use of the ancient Missal to the Christian people, and particularly to the Bishops.

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Blog recess during Holy Week continues; urgent news may be posted at any time.

Breaking news: Bertone confirms motu proprio

In an interview for the cover story (pages 56-60) of Le Figaro Magazine (weekly magazine of the French national daily Le Figaro), published today (Update-April 2: available on the newspaper's website); excerpt:

Is a Decree widening the possibility of celebrating the Latin Mass according to the rite from before Vatican II (the so-called Mass of Saint Pius V) still expected?

[Secretary of State] Cardinal Bertone: The merit of the conciliar liturgical reform is intact. But both [for reasons of] not losing the great liturgical heritage left by Saint Pius V and for granting the wish of those faithful who desire to attend Masses according to this rite, within the framework of the Missal published in 1962 by Pope John XXIII, with its own calendar, there is no valid reason not to grant to priests in the entire world the right to celebrate according to this form. The authorization of the Supreme Pontiff would evidently preserve the validity of the rite of Paul VI. The publication of the motu proprio which specifies this authorisation will take place, but it will be the pope himself who will explain his motivations and the framework of his decision. The Sovereign Pontiff will personally explain his vision for the use of the ancient Missal to the Christian people, and particularly to the Bishops.

Source: Le Forum Catholique.

Update: Excerpts also at Eucharistie Miséricordieuse

For the Record: Sévillia says Bertone confirms motu proprio

UPDATE HERE.

Pope Benedict's Secretary of State, Cardinal Bertone, was interviewed by French journalist Jean Sévillia for the cover story of this week's Le Figaro Magazine (the weekly magazine of the French national daily Le Figaro).

The interview has not yet been made available on the web, but Sévillia has confirmed in an interview to Radio Courtoisie (Source: Una Voce France) that, in his interview, Cardinal Bertone said that "the recently-published Apostolic Exhortation is not a substitute for and is not additional to the Motu Proprio on the liturgy expected from the Pope".

The text has been confirmed by the Cardinal, but not any date of publication. Naturally, we will wait for the article in Le Figaro Magazine to provide the exact words of Cardinal Bertone -- who, by the way, is finally moving (around Easter) to his apartment in the Apostolic Palace, only recently vacated by Cardinal Sodano, according to L'Indipendente.

From Genoa

The Archdiocese of Genoa, headed by Archbishop Angelo Bagnasco (very close to Cardinal Bertone, his predecessor in Liguria), made public today a very substantial note on the prospect of the Motu proprio for the liberalization of the Traditional Mass. The whole text is available here.

Precisions regarding [in merito] an eventual promulgation of a "Motu proprio" to ease the appliction of the indult on the use of the Missal called of Saint Pius V

November 27, 2006
...

1) the Pope, due to his supreme authority, has the faculty to put in practice universally valid and binding juridical and pastoral acts;
...

8) the Council of Trent did not intend to unify with an act of authority the existing rites of the Latin Church; in fact, based on the principle established by the same Saint Pius V -- who, at the request of the Council, effected the reform --, the churches and religious orders which had for at least two centuries their own rite of venerable tradition, could preserve it. With the passing of the years, in fact, the Roman Rite established itself, though not in an exclusive way; the case of the Ambrosian rite, spread through some valleys of the Ticino (called "Ambrosian Valleys") and the entire Archdiocese of Milan (though, even there, with exceptions: Monza, Trezzo, Treviglio) is symbolic [of that].

9) two valid expressions of the same Catholic faith -- that of Saint Pius V and that of Paul VI -- cannot be presented as "expressing opposite views" and, thus, as mutually irreconcilable;

...

A Papal explanation

And Cardinal Bertone was right when he decided to issue this declaration: the lives and property of countless Christians in Muslim lands could depend on it.

But one can almost hear the secular media, a few decades from now, condemning the Papacy for its "silence" regarding the Islamic menace, as they do to Pius XI and Pius XII, of glorious memory, decades after their brave, yet prudent, stand in favor of righteousness and justice in an age of darkness.

Bertone: a Secretary "of Church", not "of State"

Second part of our Interview Week.

Tarcisio Cardinal Bertone takes his position as Secretary of State on September 15. Andrea Tornielli (one of our favorite Vaticanists) went to visit Bertone in Genoa in his last days in the Ligurian capital, and the result was a great interview, made public yesterday and published in today's edition of Il Giornale.

Some interesting excertps:

[The Choice]

What is the reason for the choice of [your name by] Benedict XVI?

The question should be asked of the Pope. Nonetheless, I hope to be able to contribute to strengthen the spiritual mission of the Church, which transcends politics and diplomacy, even if the Secretary of State should use all the means to aid the mission of the Church in every sphere. Monsignor Bettazzi, Bishop emeritus of Ivrea, my native diocese, recommended that I should be a secretary "of Church" more than "of State". I agree with him.

[The Collegial Pope]

You were the second of Cardinal Ratzinger for seven years. What is his way of working?

I have had the gift of being able to work together closely with two extraordinary men of the Church, John Paul II and the then Cardinal Ratzinger. The latter's way of working is very collegial, with a great capacity of posing questions, of listening, of valuing the talents of all, even of the youngest and of the last arrival...

[The Supreme]

The Pope was Prefect for the Doctrine of the Faith, you were his number two: now the order recomposes itself. Will the Vatican become a great Holy Office?

I wish the correct name were used: the Holy Office is today a place, a palace, not the dicastery nor the way the dicastery works. The Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith has certainly the function of protection of orthodoxy and, in this, to use the words of then Cardinal Ratzinger, develops a "democratic work", because it protects the faith of the simple [faithful], of those who do not write books, editorials, or go to talk shows. It is necessary to also remember, though, its fundamental role in the promotion of the faith in collaboration with the mission of the Church. Having been at that dicastery helps [me] to announce the Gospel in its entirety, without renouncing the approach which places man, the end of creation and redemption, in any country, culture, and condition, at the center.

...

[Fatima]

You closely followed the publication of the secret of Fatima: are there [further] catastrophic revelations regarding the future or has everything been revealed and accomplished?

I met sister Lucia many times and had in my hands the declaration written by her on the matter. There are no further revelations of Fatima and the so-called Third Secret has been completely revealed. As for the catastrophisms, some said that sister Lucia did not close her eyes at night since she was so terrified of the imminent disasters. She answered me, "But if I did not sleep at night, how would I be able to pray all day long?" Sister Lucia recommended that credit should not be given to these announcements of misfortunes.

Secretary Bertone and the Traditionalist Question

Il Giornale reports today that Cardinal Bertone, the new Secretary of State, has some interesting words to say in his interview to the current issue of the magazine 30 Giorni (which is not currently available in their website):

"If, from the Lefebvrist side, there is a sincere will to reenter into full communion with the Holy See, it will not be difficult to find the adequate ways to achieve this result."

The Cardinal remembers his own experience as an aide to Cardinal Ratzinger during the 1988 discussions with Archbishop Lefebvre:

"A very demanding and interesting experience, even if the results were not positive. But the discussion is now reopened, especially after the historic audience granted by Benedict XVI to Bishop Bernard Fellay in the past year."

Sodano, stay till September!

The persistent rumors regarding the resignation of Cardinal Sodano as Secretary of State and the nomination of Cardinal Bertone as his replacement have been confirmed today. The Pope has, nevertheless, asked the current Secretary to remain in his position until September 15.

The Vatican "foreign minister" and Sodano's number two, Archbishop Giovanni Lajolo, has been named to replace Cardinal Szoka (also from September 15) as president of the Pontifical Commission for the Vatican City State and chairman of the Governatorate of the Vatican City State, which means Lajolo's name will probably be included in the next consistory.

Segretario Bertone

La Stampa publishes the information released by the Italian news agency Apcom that the Pope has already signed the nomination of Cardinal Bertone to the position of Secretary of State, widely anticipated in the past few months. He will be the first prelate with no previous Vatican diplomatic experience to become Secretary in decades, and the first one from a religious order (he is a Salesian) nominated to the position since 1836 (Cardinal Lambruschini; except for two months in 1848 - Cardinal Orioli, OFM Conv).

And the new Secretary of State is...

This Friday's L'Indipendente, repeating what many different news sources have been saying for many months, reports that the probable replacement of Cardinal Sodano will be Salesian Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone, Archbishop of Genoa (the see of the great Siri, whose centennial is being celebrated this year).

Bertone was for many years, as it is well known, then-Cardinal Ratzinger's second at the former Holy Office.