Father Z. Throws in the Towel

Father Z. has attempted to fisk an article in The Courier, the newspaper of the Diocese of Winona, from the Diocesan Director of Liturgy, Peggy Lovrien.

Unfortunately, there were so many errors, Fr. Z had to give up for fear of carpal tunnel syndrome.

Read his valiant attempt here.

S.F. Chronicle on the Motu Proprio

I know what you are thinking, but think again.

FINDING MY RELIGION
Oakland priest Michael Wiener has been celebrating the Traditional Latin Mass since 1999

SP Varia

Father Z. applies some common sense to the Commonweal article. Not an easy thing to do. He also relays an ominous memo from the Bp. of Steubenville in which he states "There will be no public celebration of the pre-Vatican II rites until I am assured that they can be celebrated well and in accord with Summorum Pontificum’s terms." Liberals make the worst liberals.

Gerald at the Cafeteria points us to this good article in the Washington Times..

NLM assures us that all is well at Notre Dame (GO IRISH!)

But actually not so great in Ireland!

Commonweal on the Motu Proprio

Commonweal on the motu proprio:

It was not the intention of Vatican II, or of the popes who implemented it, to create a situation in which two forms of the Roman rite would exist side by side. The liturgical reform of the council was intended as a true reform, addressing genuine problems of the old liturgy for the good of the church as a whole. Now, with the stroke of a pen, Pope Benedict has made that reform optional. Individual priests may use the preconciliar rites at will, and groups of the faithful who ask for celebrations according to the preconciliar norms may not be refused them.

Read the whole thing.

Cardinal Martini Takes A Stand

Is Cardinal Carlo Maria Martini is tilting at windmills? The famously liberal Cardinal refuses to say the 1962 missal.

Cardinal speaks out against Latin mass

Read my take at Creative Minority Report.

Time to Hang It Up?

Is it time to hang it up and close down the blog?

Well, if one were to listen to the New York Times you would certainly think so.
Representative quote "Unless the church, which once had a problem with the law of gravity, can repeal inertia, too, then silent, submissive worship won’t go over well."

'Nuff Said. Fr. Z's take and Diogenes takes a swing.

(Can a kind reader please send me information on the Pope's opposition to gravity? I must have missed that one.)

Will the Pope Say the Mass in the 'Extraordinary Form'?

Will the Pope Say the Mass in the 'Extraordinary Form'?

Father Zuhlsdorf is relaying a report that the Pope might celebrate older Mass on 1st Sunday of Advent

In an ADNKRONOS story, we read:

The Pope: Could celebrate the Mass of St. Pius V in public

Signs point to the First Sunday of Advent – The Director of "Latinitas", at last we will have a common prayer of praise to God.

The Pope could celebrate publicly Mass in Latin according to the Rite of St. Pius V. An official introduction of the Rite which, as far as ADNKRONOS has learned from authoritative Vatican sources, could take place on the 1st Sunday of Advent, the beginning of the liturgical year.

For a long time I have thought that a single Mass by the Holy Father, with all the necessary solenmity, would effect as much if not more than the Motu Proprio.

However, having both would be even better!

We second that motion! We will keep our eyes on this one!

Summorum Pontificum - July 28, 2007

Thanks to the readers who keep the links coming in the suggestion box.

I must acknowledge that I have been remiss in covering the reaction north of the border. To date, I think I have only one or two links.

So here is a link to a 11 July article in the Catholic Register, including statements of Archbishop Collins of Toronto and Bishop Prendergast of Ottawa.

We now also have the reaction of Archbishop John Vlazny of Portland Oregon.

Fr. Z continues his analysis of episcopal reactions. This one comes from Indianapolis.
Archd. of Indianapolis newspaper on older Mass

I May Have to Move to Virginia

SAINT JOHN THE BELOVED CATHOLIC CHURCH MCLEAN, VIRGINIA (HT to reader Steve!)

From The Pastor

Summorum Pontificum

Despite what the media tells you, the Pope is not renouncing the Second Vatican Council, he is authentically implementing it. He is correcting the mistakes and misinterpretations that came after the Council. One of them is with the return of the Mass. Contrary to what most of the media tells us, Vatican II did not:

1. order Mass to be said in the Vernacular
2. tell priests to face the people at Mass
3. establish Communion in the hand
4. tell people to stand for reception of Communion
The Mass we now say at St. John’s whether in English or Latin came after the Council. The Council ended in 1965, the new order of the Mass came in 1970.

The Church, since the days of Pope St. Pius X, has encouraged actual participation at the Mass. The 1962 missal contains changes that foster that participation, so the charge of the congregation being dumb spectators is not true.

Why was the Motu Propio issued? Pope Benedict, as a Cardinal, wrote extensively on the liturgy and frequently mentioned the suppression of the older form of the Mass by Pope Paul VI when promulgating the new reformed missal of 1970 (the Mass we now celebrate either in English or Latin) after an intervening period of a temporary missal (1965).

He believed and continues to believe that something so ancient (going back 1500 years) and sacred could be forbidden and those who were attached to that form considered, as one author put it, like “the nutty old aunt in the attic”.

The Pope does not question the holiness of the new missal, but he says that the way in which it came about was alien to the Church’s traditions. Many who were enthusiastic about a renewal of the Mass during the years of the Council felt betrayed by the reformed missal of 1970. They claim (as does the Pope) that this was not what the Council had envisioned.

Is the Holy Father leading us backwards? Most people would say no, but I would say yes – in order to lead us forward. He wants to bring the church into contact with that form of the Mass which was the only western liturgy (outside the rite of Milan) that was celebrated during the Second Vatican Council. There was a rupture after Council in the liturgy, the Holy Father wants to go back to heal that break so that the liturgy may continue as a living continuum. That is why he says we need internal reconciliation. The Church has been suffering these past 40 years because of the unintended rupture. The Church must reconcile herself with her own tradition, for that is who she is, it is her own identity.

The missal of Paul VI will benefit from the infusion of sap from the 62 missal and after a reform of the reform be even more resplendent and effective.

I plan on implementing the Motu Propio here at St. John’s but it will not effect a change in anyway in which most of you worship. It allows the former rite for anybody who chooses to attend. The Motu Propio simply allows, it does not impose. What does this mean for St. John’s? The following is my policy for implementation of Summorum Pontificum:

1. the noon Mass, which is now said in Latin according to the missal of Pope Paul VI (1970 – Novus Ordo) will become a Solemn High Mass or High Mass celebrated according to the missal of Blessed John XXIIII (the most ancient rite”). This will occur sometime in early October.
2. I will allow the celebration of all sacraments except Confirmation according to the rite of 1962 if a person requests them. This will also take effect in October.
3. I will allow occasional Masses (wedding anniversaries, etc.) in the 1962 rite for those who request it.
4. I will allow weddings and funerals in the 62 rite for those who request it.
5. I will establish one Mass on a holy day according to the 62 missal; there will still be 4 Masses in the present rite.
6. I will consider another additional Mass on First Fridays after consulting with the pastoral council.
The date given by the Pope for this decree to become law, i.e., go into effect is September 14 of this year. We await further guidance from the bishops on these matters. We also need to buy items unique to those types of Masses; financial donations towards this would be appreciated.

---

From St. John’s Office of Evangelization . . .

DEFENDING THE FAITH

SUMMORUM PONTIFICUM (part I)

About one week ago, Pope Benedict XVI issued the legal document Summorum Pontificum. This text— which has confirmed the fact that every Roman Catholic priest has the right to celebrate what has been called the “Tridentine Mass”—has caused no little stir among Catholics throughout the world. Often referred to as the “Traditional Mass,” because it has been celebrated without interruption since the earliest days of the Church in Rome, this Mass will be remembered by many of the older faithful of our parishes as the Mass of their childhood. It is this Mass which Pope John Paul II attended as a young man; it is this Mass for which Saint Francis rebuilt his church in Assisi; it is this Mass that Saint Augustine celebrated as Bishop of Hippo; and it is this Mass which has now been restored to the Catholic Church. Over the next few weeks, we will have the opportunity to consider aspects of this restoration in detail. Today, let us focus our attention upon the role of tradition in the lives of faithful Christians.

As many readers may know, the acceptance of “tradition” as a rule of faith within the Catholic Church was rejected by the Protestant reformers as being a non-biblical teaching. This Protestant position, known as sola scriptura, however, is not part of the historic and biblical faith of the True Church. For, as Saint Paul exhorts the faithful of the Catholic community in Thessalonica, “Stand firm and hold fast to the traditions which you were taught” (2 Thess 2:15). And again in his letter to the Corinthians, Saint Paul writes, “I commend you because you remember me in everything and maintain the traditions even as I have delivered them to you” (1 Cor 11:2). This “tradition,” as Saint Paul refers to it, is nothing other than the message of Jesus Christ as it was preached in Jerusalem on Pentecost, and was handed down to the faithful of succeeding generations. As the New Testament was written down over time, part of this tradition was given explicit expression in the form of the Gospels and other writings, while other no less important aspects where handed down verbally from the Apostles to the bishops who succeeded them (cf. 2 Thess 2:15, 2 Tim 2:1). Thus, the Second Vatican Council stated, “In order that the full and living Gospel might always be preserved in the Church, the apostles left bishops as their successors. They gave them ‘their own position of teaching authority’” (DV 7; St. Irenaeus, Adv. Haeres. 3,3,1).

This truth is expressed in Saint Paul’s letter to Timothy where we read, “You then, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me before many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others” (2 Tim 2:1). Thus, this precious jewel of the faith was handed down through the Church’s teaching authority from generation to generation, even to our own day.

Through this tradition “the Church, in her doctrine, life, and worship perpetuates and transmits to every generation all that she herself is, all that she believes” (Dei Verbum 8,1). Please notice that in the above quotation from the Second Vatican Council, “worship” is one of the three ways in which the Church is said to perpetuate and transmit the precious faith which she has received. The way of worship, then, is of great importance, for it is through her worship that the Catholic Church shows forth and announces the faith which she has held from the beginning—“whence the ancient saying “the law of prayer is the law of faith: the Church believes as she prays” (CCC 1124). In other words, the way in which the Catholic Church worships expresses what she believes. Thus, the Catechism of the Catholic Church states, “For this reason no sacramental rite may be modified or manipulated at the will of the minister or the community. Even the supreme authority in the Church may not change the liturgy arbitrarily, but only in obedience of faith and with respect for the mysteries of the liturgy” CCC 1125). Continue next week.

Source

Summorum Pontificum - July 26, 2007

News & Analysis

The view from Saskatchewan eh!
More analysis from Fr. Z (He is really on top of this!)

Article of Most Rev. J. Terry Steib, Bishop of Memphis
Father Z's Analysis.

Catholics Concerned Latin Mass Not Progressive

Summorum Pontificum podcast HT to Mike in the combox

Rorate Caeli - Castrillón speaks to 30 Giorni

NLM - Altar-ations -How your modern Church can accomodate the 1962 Missal.

Return of Latin mass sparks old vestment hunt

California Catholic on use of new lectionary - “Until such time that the Ecclesia Dei Commission gives further direction”

Summorum Pontificum - July 25, 2007

News & Analysis

Rorate Caeli - Castrillón speaks to 30 Giorni

NLM - Altar-ations -How your modern Church can accomodate the 1962 Missal.

Return of Latin mass sparks old vestment hunt

California Catholic on use of new lectionary - “Until such time that the Ecclesia Dei Commission gives further direction”

Statement of Bishop Bernard Harrington - Diocese of Winona
Father Z. — Analysis of Statement of Diocese of Winona

Sermon on Summorum Pontificum by Rev. Richard G. Cipolla

Summorum Pontificum - July 24, 2007

News & Analysis

California Catholic on use of new lectionary - “Until such time that the Ecclesia Dei Commission gives further direction”

Statement of Bishop Bernard Harrington - Diocese of Winona
Father Z. — Analysis of Statement of Diocese of Winona

Sermon on Summorum Pontificum by Rev. Richard G. Cipolla

Tulsa World - Reinstated Latin Mass will reduce nonsense

Boston Herald - Latin Mass a Fading Tradition

From Cardinal Sean's Blog -

After my return from vacation, I was very pleased to see so many messages on the blog regarding the motu proprio.

Practical Catechisis in New Jersey

Karl Keating - A Latin Mass Dream

Resource
Summorum Pontificum Contact Database - In an effort to help Catholics who want to see the Traditional Latin Mass in their diocese connect with priests who want to provide the Traditional Latin Mass, LumenGentleman is now hosting a contacts database to help bring people together. The more data we can collect, the more successful this will be, so click here to add your information!

Note: I wish to express a very large thank you to everyone who has posted links in the suggestion box to news stories, interesting analysis, diocesan reactions, and church bulletins. These links are invaluable for understanding the reaction to Summorum Pontificum from bishops to parish priests to the laity. This blog is your resource, so if you see something interesting, please don't hesitate to put a link in the suggestion box. Thanks to all.

Summorum Pontificum - July 23, 2007

News & Analysis

Boston Herald - Latin Mass a Fading Tradition

From Cardinal Sean's Blog -

After my return from vacation, I was very pleased to see so many messages on the blog regarding the motu proprio.

Practical Catechisis in New Jersey

Karl Keating - A Latin Mass Dream

Statement of the Bishop of Baton Rouge LA and Commentary by Father John Carville
Analysis - Father Zulsdorf

Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of Louisville — Pope Benedict’s document on the use of the traditional Latin Mass

Pope Benedict Affirms the Connections Between New and Old Mass By Bishop Robert W. Finn Kansas City-St. Joseph

Resource
Summorum Pontificum Contact Database - In an effort to help Catholics who want to see the Traditional Latin Mass in their diocese connect with priests who want to provide the Traditional Latin Mass, LumenGentleman is now hosting a contacts database to help bring people together. The more data we can collect, the more successful this will be, so click here to add your information!

Note: I wish to express a very large thank you to everyone who has posted links in the suggestion box to news stories, interesting analysis, diocesan reactions, and church bulletins. These links are invaluable for understanding the reaction to Summorum Pontificum from bishops to parish priests to the laity. This blog is your resource, so if you see something interesting, please don't hesitate to put a link in the suggestion box. Thanks to all.

Summorum Pontificum - July 22, 2007

News & Analysis

Statement of the Bishop of Baton Rouge LA and Commentary by Father John Carville
Analysis - Father Zulsdorf

Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of Louisville — Pope Benedict’s document on the use of the traditional Latin Mass

Pope Benedict Affirms the Connections Between New and Old Mass By Bishop Robert W. Finn Kansas City-St. Joseph

Sacred Heart University - Expert available for comment on “Latin mass”: implications for christian-jewish relations. CMR -Analysis on Sacred Heart Statement

Resource
Summorum Pontificum Contact Database - In an effort to help Catholics who want to see the Traditional Latin Mass in their diocese connect with priests who want to provide the Traditional Latin Mass, LumenGentleman is now hosting a contacts database to help bring people together. The more data we can collect, the more successful this will be, so click here to add your information!

Note: I wish to express a very large thank you to everyone who has posted links in the suggestion box to news stories, interesting analysis, diocesan reactions, and church bulletins. These links are invaluable for understanding the reaction to Summorum Pontificum from bishops to parish priests to the laity. This blog is your resource, so if you see something interesting, please don't hesitate to put a link in the suggestion box. Thanks to all.

Statement of the Bishop of Baton Rouge LA and Commentary by Father John Carville

Another Perspective

by Father John Carville

Are we reverting back to the old Latin Mass? If so, why?

God bless the Catholic Church. We can't stay out of the headlines. At least it isn't sex scandals this time, but what the Pope hopes will be a step toward reconciliation with a minority of Catholics who do not want to let go of the old Latin Mass that was celebrated before the Second Vatican Council. The updated liturgy by which we now worship, using our own language, was promulgated by Pope Paul VI in 1970 according to norms written by the bishops of Vatican II. Positive though the intention is of Pope Benedict's recent expanded permission to celebrate the Latin Mass of the Council of Trent in its last edition promulgated by Pope John XXIII in 1962, it has caused some confusion and left unanswered questions.

Pope Benedict's document, "Summorum Pontificum", actually just expands a permission given by Pope John Paul II in 1988 to bishops, allowing them to have the old liturgy in their dioceses under limited circumstances. Now a pastor can make that decision in his own parish if there is an ongoing community of people who request to worship in Latin according to the old rite. Any priest can now use the old Latin rite for private Masses (those not in the normal parish schedule) and laity can attend, if they choose. But the priest, of course, has to know Latin and be trained in that rite, and the church has to be suited to that liturgy, which is not the case in many of our present churches. Only a few, for instance, still have altar rails. These were removed in renovated churches and not included in new ones to honor a major emphasis of Vatican II, namely, the unity of priest and congregation as the "people of God" in worship.

This permission does not begin until September 14, the Feast of the Exaltation of the Cross. There will be problems in implementing it, although Pope Benedict does not think they will be great, according to a letter he wrote to his bishops on July 7. He acknowledges their reservations about this move, but says that their two main fears are permission will call into question one of the essential decisions of Vatican II, liturgical reform. The Pope assures the bishops that the vernacular Mass of the Council will remain the "normal form... of the Eucharistic Liturgy." The old Latin Mass of 1962 will be simply an "extraordinary form." The second fear, also unfounded, the Pope thinks, is that the wider use of the 1962 Missal will lead to "disarray or even divisions within parish communities." Pope Benedict says that this will not happen because, "The use of the old Missal presupposes a certain degree of liturgical formation and some knowledge of the Latin language; neither of these is found very often."

The Pope may be underestimating the strength of novelty in our modern culture. I see it every day among university students. Our priests, especially those pastoring two or three parishes, are probably cringing at the thought of having to brush up on their Latin, if they still remember any, to say extra Masses for a handful of people. And only a few churches in our diocese remain suited to the old Latin Mass. However, we are prepared to meet the substance of Pope Benedict's changes since long ago Bishop Ott and all of his successors have already given permission for the old Latin Mass to be celebrated at St. Agnes Church. The Pope mentions naming one parish a "personal parish" as a suitable response to his instructions. Those seeking a Latin parish.

There is a mystique in the ancient Latin, the Gregorian chant, the smells and the bells of the old rite. However, as with most things foreign, most of us rather quickly begin to yearn for that which feels more natural, more easily understood. Most of the Hispanic people, for whom I offer a Spanish Mass on Sundays at LSU, actually speak English. But they pray in Spanish.

A fundamental liturgical principle is involved here that was beautifully ex- of Vatican II, a bishop familiar with a rite far older than our Latin, Tridentine one dating from the 16th Century. This most convincing argument came from an Eastern rite patriarch, Maximus IV Saigh of Antioch. He said that from the perspective of the Eastern rite it was strange that the presider in the liturgy would use a language that differed from that of his congregation, who in turn had to pray in a language they did not understand. "A living Church has no use for a dead language." Since it is the instrument of the Holy Spirit, language should be living.

The vernacular Mass we now use has to remain the ordinary and normative rite for our liturgy. Strangely missing from the documents we have received so far from Rome on these liturgical changes is any reference to the two-fold focus of Vatican II's Constitution on the Liturgy. The active participation of the laity offering themselves to God with Christ in the of the document. The old Latin liturgy had long relegated the laity to the role of passive observers. The return to the vernacular was a way of reestablishing contact with the common people by enabling them to pray the Eucharist in an understandable way. Likewise it made it possible for them to take active roles as lectors and extraordinary ministers of the Eucharist, song leaders and musicians. The Archbishop of Milan, Cardinal Montini, who would guide the council to its conclusion as Paul VI, noted that the basic center of approval for the document came from the fact that in it the liturgy was for the people and not the other way around.

The second goal of the Council was renewed emphasis on Sacred Scripture in the Liturgy of the Word. There was much praise from the Vatican II Fathers for the biblical character of the text and joy that it would contribute greatly to the promotion of active participation in the liturgy. In the Vatican II calendar of the Mass, virtually the entire Bible is presented over a three- year cycle. This has been so successful for the promotion of Scripture that most mainline Protestant churches have adopted the same cycle of readings. In comparison, the readings of the old Latin Missal are greatly restricted. Where feasts coincide in the two missals, the Pope's "motu proprio" seems to allow substitution, but if the old missal is used throughout the year, the scriptural renewal of the liturgy will be lost.

We must remember that it is Catholic faith that the teachings of Ecumenical Councils in union with the pope are guided by the Holy Spirit. They are the result of debate, but in this case the voice of the Spirit seems to have been heard rather clearly. The vote approving the Constitution on the Liturgy was 2,162 for and 46 against. Seven votes were invalid. The Holy Spirit had lined up his votes rather well. We forget so soon, and in the name of tradition.

Source http://www.diobr.org/tcc/2007/070718tccbts.pdf

Summorum Pontificum - July 20, 2007

News & Analysis

Archbishop Joseph E. Kurtz of Louisville — Pope Benedict’s document on the use of the traditional Latin Mass

Pope Benedict Affirms the Connections Between New and Old Mass By Bishop Robert W. Finn Kansas City-St. Joseph

Sacred Heart University - Expert available for comment on “Latin mass”: implications for christian-jewish relations. CMR -Analysis on Sacred Heart Statement

Archbishop Burke Speaks to Confraternity; Clergy Voice Their Full Support

Statement from Boston Following the Recent Release Of the Motu Proprio

Excerpt:Cardinal O'Malley has recently stated that based on his participation at the meeting in Rome, it is his understanding that the elements of the Good Friday services which are understandably objectionable to our Jewish and ecumenical brothers and sisters are not permitted to be used in the celebration of the Tridentine Rite.

UPI - Latin mass change praised by Jewish leader

Cardinal Egan of the Archdiocese of New York - Room for All
California Catholic Daily - “It’s tradition” -Diocese of Monterey pledges Tridentine Mass in two locations by September
***Motu Proprio: Use of Roman Missal of 1962 by Bishop Robert C. Morlino (Madison WI)

Excerpt: I have never been against such celebrations in principle, but our concrete circumstance and lack of catechetical resources to support such celebrations have led me to the prudent judgment, I believe, that such celebrations should not generally be permitted.
Obedience opens door to freedom.
...
Pope Benedict clearly is wise; obedience according to the mind of Christ always opens the door to true freedom. I am joyful to act in obedience to the Motu Proprio of Pope Benedict, and I am grateful to have been freed from the limitation of my own judgement.

Jewish Daily Forward - The Pope Has Given Catholics a Choice
Reuters - Vatican: We may drop revived prayer offensive to Jews HT to Rorate Caeli


Resource
Summorum Pontificum Contact Database - In an effort to help Catholics who want to see the Traditional Latin Mass in their diocese connect with priests who want to provide the Traditional Latin Mass, LumenGentleman is now hosting a contacts database to help bring people together. The more data we can collect, the more successful this will be, so click here to add your information!

Note: I wish to express a very large thank you to everyone who has posted links in the suggestion box to news stories, interesting analysis, diocesan reactions, and church bulletins. These links are invaluable for understanding the reaction to Summorum Pontificum from bishops to parish priests to the laity. This blog is your resource, so if you see something interesting, please don't hesitate to put a link in the suggestion box. Thanks to all.

Summorum Pontificum - July 19, 2007

News & Analysis

California Catholic Daily - “It’s tradition” -Diocese of Monterey pledges Tridentine Mass in two locations by September

***Motu Proprio: Use of Roman Missal of 1962 by Bishop Robert C. Morlino (Madison WI)

Excerpt: I have never been against such celebrations in principle, but our concrete circumstance and lack of catechetical resources to support such celebrations have led me to the prudent judgment, I believe, that such celebrations should not generally be permitted.
Obedience opens door to freedom.
...
Pope Benedict clearly is wise; obedience according to the mind of Christ always opens the door to true freedom. I am joyful to act in obedience to the Motu Proprio of Pope Benedict, and I am grateful to have been freed from the limitation of my own judgement.

Jewish Daily Forward - The Pope Has Given Catholics a Choice
Reuters - Vatican: We may drop revived prayer offensive to Jews HT to Rorate Caeli

The Catholic Virginian - Editorial
Excerpt: It is unfair to expect them to add an extra Mass to their already busy schedules. People might want to think twice about approaching their priest and putting this demand on him.

Bulletin of St. Marys By the Sea in Huntington Beach - "I wholeheartedly accede"
John Allen Jr. - Opinion divided on Mass decision – Some downplay demand for old rite, but other liturgists predict confusion

Diocesan Reactions
Diocese of Allentown PA

Resource
Summorum Pontificum Contact Database - In an effort to help Catholics who want to see the Traditional Latin Mass in their diocese connect with priests who want to provide the Traditional Latin Mass, LumenGentleman is now hosting a contacts database to help bring people together. The more data we can collect, the more successful this will be, so click here to add your information!

Note: I wish to express a very large thank you to everyone who has posted links in the suggestion box to news stories, interesting analysis, diocesan reactions, and church bulletins. These links are invaluable for understanding the reaction to Summorum Pontificum from bishops to parish priests to the laity. This blog is your resource, so if you see something interesting, please don't hesitate to put a link in the suggestion box. Thanks to all.

Summorum Pontificum - July 18, 2007

News & Analysis

Note: I wish to express a very large thank you to everyone who has posted links in the suggestion box to news stories, interesting analysis, diocesan reactions, and church bulletins. These links are invaluable for understanding the reaction to Summorum Pontificum from bishops to parish priests to the laity. This blog is your resource, so if you see something interesting, please don't hesitate to put a link in the suggestion box. Thanks to all.

The Catholic Virginian - Editorial
Excerpt: It is unfair to expect them to add an extra Mass to their already busy schedules. People might want to think twice about approaching their priest and putting this demand on him.

Bulletin of St. Marys By the Sea in Huntington Beach - "I wholeheartedly accede"
John Allen Jr. - Opinion divided on Mass decision – Some downplay demand for old rite, but other liturgists predict confusion
In Defense of Pope Benedict XVI by Micah Halpern
The view from New Jersey - Latin Mass may be easier said than done
NCReporter - Full participation before all else
First Things - The Jewishness of the Roman Rite HT to Closed Cafeteria
Letter from a New Orleans Jesuit Parish
Fr. Zuhlsdorf - Bp. Lori of Bridgeport on MP: what a pleasure!

Diocesan Reactions
Diocese of Allentown PA

Resource
Summorum Pontificum Contact Database - In an effort to help Catholics who want to see the Traditional Latin Mass in their diocese connect with priests who want to provide the Traditional Latin Mass, LumenGentleman is now hosting a contacts database to help bring people together. The more data we can collect, the more successful this will be, so click here to add your information!

Summorum Pontificum - July 17, 2007

News & Analysis

NCReporter - Full participation before all else
First Things - The Jewishness of the Roman Rite HT to Closed Cafeteria
Letter from a New Orleans Jesuit Parish
Fr. Zuhlsdorf - Bp. Lori of Bridgeport on MP: what a pleasure!

Zenit - Father Lombardi: Liturgy Draws Toward Unity
San Luis Obispo - Latin Mass to be resurrected in county
Gloucester Daily Times - Cape lukewarm to Latin Mass
Bucks County Courier Times - Catholics mixed on Latin Mass

Summorum Pontificum - July 16, 2007

News & Commentary

**Pope Benedict uses older ritual for his private Mass
Liturgy and Ecumenism: How to Apply Vatican Council II by by Sandro Magister
NLM - The 1962's Missal's glorious lack of options
U.S. bishops aren't doing cartwheels over pope's order on Latin Mass
The view from North Jersey - Latin Mass excites Catholic traditionalists in North Jersey
Commonweal - The Vernacular: Setting the Record Straight
Fr. Zuhlsdorf's Analysis Steubenville, Bp. Conlon, and Summorum Pontificum
Article by Fr Guy Nicholls in the 15 July parish newsletter of the Birmingham Oratory (UK).
The Tablet - Beyond language - Mark Francis

Diocesan Reactions

Diocese of Gary, IN - BISHOP MELCZEK
Diocese of Bridgeport, CT - THE MOST REVEREND WILLIAM E. LORI, S.T.D.,
Diocese of Peoria, Ill - The Catholic Post

Resource
Summorum Pontificum Contact Database - In an effort to help Catholics who want to see the Traditional Latin Mass in their diocese connect with priests who want to provide the Traditional Latin Mass, LumenGentleman is now hosting a contacts database to help bring people together. The more data we can collect, the more successful this will be, so click here to add your information!

Summorum Pontificum - July 15, 2007

News & Commentary

Fr. Zuhlsdorf's Analysis Steubenville, Bp. Conlon, and Summorum Pontificum
Article by Fr Guy Nicholls in the 15 July parish newsletter of the Birmingham Oratory (UK).
The Tablet - Beyond language - Mark Francis
The View from Virginia - Catholics split on newly-revived Latin Mass
The view from Pittsburgh - Demand may rise with Pope's approval of Latin Mass
The view from Peoria - Ancient Latin Mass given new freedom
Bishop D'Arcy (of Fort Wayne - South Bend) responds to pope's decree - Asks FSSP fopr help.
Zenit - French Prelate Welcomes "Summorum Pontificum"
Pope Extends Use of the "1962 Missal"-- What Does this Mean? By Helen Hull Hitchcock

Diocesan Reactions

Diocese of Gary, IN - BISHOP MELCZEK
Diocese of Bridgeport, CT - THE MOST REVEREND WILLIAM E. LORI, S.T.D.,
Diocese of Peoria, Ill - The Catholic Post

Resource
Summorum Pontificum Contact Database - In an effort to help Catholics who want to see the Traditional Latin Mass in their diocese connect with priests who want to provide the Traditional Latin Mass, LumenGentleman is now hosting a contacts database to help bring people together. The more data we can collect, the more successful this will be, so click here to add your information!

Summorum Pontificum - July 14, 2007

News & Commentary

Bishop D'Arcy (of Fort Wayne - South Bend) responds to pope's decree - Asks FSSP fopr help.
Zenit - French Prelate Welcomes "Summorum Pontificum"
Pope Extends Use of the "1962 Missal"-- What Does this Mean? By Helen Hull Hitchcock
Alcuin Reid in The Catholic Herald
WSJ - The Language of Tradition BY RAYMOND ARROYO
The Sky is Not Falling, the Church is awakening!by Deacon Keith A Fournier
CMR- Patrick Archbold - Trautman: Not In My Diocese

Diocesan Statements
Bishop John Wester of the Diocese of Salt Lake City
Statement of the Diocese of Orange, CA

Resource
Summorum Pontificum Contact Database - In an effort to help Catholics who want to see the Traditional Latin Mass in their diocese connect with priests who want to provide the Traditional Latin Mass, LumenGentleman is now hosting a contacts database to help bring people together. The more data we can collect, the more successful this will be, so click here to add your information!

Summorum Pontificum - July 13, 2007

News & Commentary

Alcuin Reid in The Catholic Herald
WSJ - The Language of Tradition BY RAYMOND ARROYO
The Sky is Not Falling, the Church is awakening!by Deacon Keith A Fournier
CMR- Patrick Archbold - Trautman: Not In My Diocese
A Triumph for Traditionalists by Patrick J. Buchanan
NY Daily News - Rev. Brian Jordan - Latin Mass is all Greek to most worshippers
Brian Mershon interview with Bishop Fellay on Summorum Pontificum
James Bemis - Gratitude for Summorum Pontificum

Diocesan Statements
Bishop John Wester of the Diocese of Salt Lake City
Statement of the Diocese of Orange, CA

Resource
Summorum Pontificum Contact Database - In an effort to help Catholics who want to see the Traditional Latin Mass in their diocese connect with priests who want to provide the Traditional Latin Mass, LumenGentleman is now hosting a contacts database to help bring people together. The more data we can collect, the more successful this will be, so click here to add your information!

Summorum Pontificum - July 12, 2007

News & Commentary

CMR- Patrick Archbold - Trautman: Not In My Diocese
Brian Mershon interview with Bishop Fellay on Summorum Pontificum
James Bemis - Gratitude for Summorum Pontificum
Zenit — German Cardinal Hails "Summorum Pontificum"
** David L Alexander — Clarification of the Diocese of Pittsburgh statement
Thomas Woods - Benedict XVI and the Great Liberation
Part Two of the Rorate Interview with Bishop Rifan
"I do not think that the Holy Father needs my advice"
Interview with Institute of Christ the King's Msgr. Schmitz on Summorum Pontificum

Fr. Zuhlsdorf's Analysis of MP Statement of Diocese of Orange
Note: If anyone can provide a link to a copy of this document please let me know. I cannot seem to locate it on the diocesan website.

Bradenton, FL - Local clergy supports revival of Latin Mass
Philadelphia Inquirer - Latin Mass Video

Diocesan Statements

Statement of Archbishop of Denver, CO - Charles J. Chaput, O.F.M. Cap.
Statement from Bishop Trautman of Erie, PA on Summorum Pontificum

Resource
Summorum Pontificum Contact Database - In an effort to help Catholics who want to see the Traditional Latin Mass in their diocese connect with priests who want to provide the Traditional Latin Mass, LumenGentleman is now hosting a contacts database to help bring people together. The more data we can collect, the more successful this will be, so click here to add your information!

Summorum Pontificum - July 11, 2007

Note: Comments are no longer restricted to account holders. This restriction was inadvertent. Please post your links and suggestions in the suggestion box.

Commentary

Motu Proprio is meant for those faithful to Vatican II and will change nothing for most Catholics, says Cardinal Ricard

The American Spectator - Lex Orandi — By Lisa Fabrizio

National Catholic Register - Why the Old Mass? — BY Father Raymond J. de Souza

Australia's ABC National Radio Panel Discussion with:
Transcript and Audio

John Pawlikowski
President of the International Council of Christians and Jews
Dr Alcuin Reid
Liturgist and author
Peter Williams
Executive Secretary of the National Liturgical Commission, Australia

Thomas Woods: Pope Benedict boosts Latin Mass toward comeback. HT Rorate Caeli

Sr. Joan Chittister, OSB - Coming soon to a church near you HT to Fr. Arsenius
Excerpt: The Latin Mass, for instance, in which the priest celebrates the Eucharist with his back to the people, in a foreign language -- much of it said silently or at best whispered -- makes the congregation, the laity, observers of the rite rather than participants in it.
Diocesan Statements

Philadelphia Inquirer - Reviving a Latin past

Diocesan Statements

Statement of the Diocese of Pittsburgh PA
Excerpt: "It is important to note that the celebration of the Roman Missal of Pope Blessed John XXIII is not permitted at regularly scheduled weekday or Sunday."

Summorum Pontificum - July 10, 2007

Note: Comments are no longer restricted to account holders. This restriction was inadvertent. Please post your links and suggestions in the suggestion box.

Statements
Statement of Archdiocese of San Antonio - Bishop José H. Gomez's
Statement of the Diocese of Rockville Centre, NY
Statement from Archdiocese of Washington - Archbishop Wuerl
Statement from Diocese of Lafayette La. - Bishop Jarrell


More Reaction

Father John Zuhlsdorf's Translation Watch

Statement by International Federation Una Voce
Interview granted by the Superior-General of the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter (FSSP), Father John Berg, to Brian Mershon. HT to Rorate Caeli

Translation and commentary of Polish Bishops on Summorum Pontificium
from Laodicea

Some International Episcopal Reaction

MOTU PROPRIO "SUMMORUM PONTIFICUM" - STATEMENT FROM ARCHBISHOP NICHOLS (Birmingham UK)
In a statement to his priests, on Saturday 7 July, Archbishop Vincent Nichols said: "Pope Benedict's letter is a powerful appeal to us all to have open hearts when it comes to the form of the Mass. The Pope insists that we speak not of 'old' and 'new' rites but of two forms of the one Rite of the Mass."
The Archbishop of Birmingham added: "In recent years, whenever a priest has asked for the private use of the 1962 Missal I have given permission and, generally speaking, provision has been made for groups which have requested this same celebration of Mass."

Diocese of Westminster (UK)
Bishops welcome Pope's call for unity - Apostolic letter Motu Proprio data
The Bishops of England and Wales have welcomed the Apostolic letter Motu Proprio data from Pope Benedict XVI, in which he focused on the importance of unity within the Church in celebrating the Eucharist... More

Statement from the Bishops' Conference of Scotland:
"The publication of the document on the use of the Roman liturgy prior to the reform of 1970 reflects the pastoral concern of the Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI for those who find themselves drawn to that form of the Eucharistic celebration – a pastoral concern which the Bishops of Scotland share...more

Summorum Pontificum - July 9, 2007

Please Note that the Links to the official documents are now available on the Sidebar.

Today's Analysis and News

Rorate Caeli - Interview with Cardinal Castrillón
Zenit - Bishops Welcome "Summorum Pontificum"
Rorate Caeli - Summorum Notes: The priest's unalienable right to the Traditional Mass
The significance of "Private Masses"
Zenit - An interview with Father John Zuhlsdorf
Richard John Neuhaus - The Pope’s Liturgical Liberalism

Statements by U.S. Bishops
Statement by Bishop of Green Bay WI - Most Reverend David A. Zubik
Statement by Bishop of Manchester NH - John B. McCormack
Statement from Bishop of New Orleans - Most Reverend Alfred C. Hughes
Statement of The Archdiocese of Miami
Statement from Bishop of Brownsville TX - Bishop Raymundo J. Peña
Statement of the Diocese of Camden NJ
Statement of Bishop of Grand Rapids, MI -Most Reverend Walter A. Hurley

Full List

Media Coverage
Asia News - Indian Church welcomes return to Tridentine Mass
Time Magazine -Why the Pope is Boosting Latin Mass

Summorum Pontificum - Round Up

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Documents

Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum - English
Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum - Latin

Letter Accompanying the Motu Proprio - English
Letter Accompanying the Motu Proprio - Spanish
Letter Accompanying the Motu Proprio - Other languages

USCCB Twenty Questions on the Apostolic Letter
Holy See Press Office - Explanatory Note on Motu Proprio

U.S. Diocesan Official Reactions Note: This is work in progress.

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Analysis & Reaction

Added 9-July-07
Rorate Caeli - Interview with Cardinal Castrillón

Added 8-July-07
Fr John Boyle - Summorum Pontificum on the "Roman liturgy prior to the reform of 1970" HT to Fr. Tim Finigan
Rorate Caeli - Axes of Interpretation
Jimmy Akin - Commentary on Summorum Pontificum

7-July-2007

Fr. Z. at WDTPRS
Fr. Z's Analysis of AP coverage

Rorate Caeli - Interview with Bishop Fernando Areas Rifan of the Apostolic Administration of Saint John Mary Vianney in Campos Brazil

NLM - Comments upon the Motu Proprio
NLM - Comments upon the Explanatory Letter

Gerald Augustinus' Cliff Notes on the Apostolic Letter
Gerald Augustinus' Cliff Notes on the Motu Proprio

CWN - Pope broadens access to 1962 Mass
Sandro Magister - Benedict XVI Liberalizes the Ancient Rite of the Mass – And Explains Why
Damian Thompson - The Pope speaks on the Latin Mass

SSPX Reaction in English French
Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest - Press Release

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News Coverage

Added 8-July-2007
NECN - Video - Popes Eases Restictions on Latin Mass
CNN - Video - Return of the Latin Mass
PBS Religion and Ethics

Added 7-July-2007
Chicago Tribune - Will return to Latin have mass appeal?
CNS - Pope relaxes restrictions on use of Tridentine Mass
Reuters - Pope revives old Latin Mass, says fears unfounded
AP -USA Today - Pope frees up use of old Latin Mass
Asia News - Pope: faithful may have “Tridentine” Mass if they wish
BBC - Pope ends Latin Mass restriction

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Note: I will be updating this site continually to provide you with the most up-to-date analysis and coverage. Stay tuned.

U.S. Diocesan Official Reactions

This is a list of the Official Responses of U.S. Dioceses to the motu proprio Summorum Pontficum.
Note: This list is a work in progress and may take some time. If you are aware of a statement not listed below, please add it to the comments. Help is greatly appreciated.

Province of Anchorage

The Ecclesiastical Province of Anchorage comprises the state of Alaska.

* Archdiocese of Anchorage
* Diocese of Fairbanks
* Diocese of Juneau

Province of Atlanta

The Ecclesiastical Province of Atlanta comprises the states of Georgia, North Carolina, and South Carolina.

* Archdiocese of Atlanta
* Diocese of Charleston
* Diocese of Charlotte
* Diocese of Raleigh
* Diocese of Savannah

Province of Baltimore

The Ecclesiastical Province of Baltimore comprises all but five counties of the state of Maryland, and all of the states of Delaware, Virginia and West Virginia.

* Archdiocese of Baltimore
* Diocese of Arlington
* Diocese of Richmond
* Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston
* Diocese of Wilmington (comprising Delaware and portions of Maryland, it is one of only a few dioceses to include more than one state in the U.S.)

Province of Boston

The Ecclesiastical Province of Boston comprises the states of Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Vermont.

* Archdiocese of Boston
* Diocese of Burlington
* Diocese of Fall River
* Diocese of Manchester
* Diocese of Portland
* Diocese of Springfield in Massachusetts
* Diocese of Worcester

Province of Chicago

The Ecclesiastical Province of Chicago comprises the state of Illinois.

* Archdiocese of Chicago
* Diocese of Belleville
* Diocese of Joliet
* Diocese of Peoria
* Diocese of Rockford
* Diocese of Springfield in Illinois

Province of Cincinnati

The Ecclesiastical Province of Cincinnati comprises the state of Ohio.

* Archdiocese of Cincinnati
* Diocese of Cleveland
* Diocese of Columbus
* Diocese of Steubenville
* Diocese of Toledo
* Diocese of Youngstown

Province of Denver

The Ecclesiastical Province of Denver comprises the states of Colorado and Wyoming.

* Archdiocese of Denver
* Diocese of Cheyenne
* Diocese of Colorado Springs
* Diocese of Pueblo

Province of Detroit

The Ecclesiastical Province of Detroit comprises the state of Michigan.

* Archdiocese of Detroit
* Diocese of Gaylord
* Diocese of Grand Rapids
* Diocese of Kalamazoo
* Diocese of Lansing
* Diocese of Marquette
* Diocese of Saginaw

Province of Dubuque

The Ecclesiastical Province of Dubuque comprises the state of Iowa.

* Archdiocese of Dubuque
* Diocese of Davenport
* Diocese of Des Moines
* Diocese of Sioux City

Province of Galveston-Houston

The Ecclesiastical Province of Galveston-Houston comprises the eastern counties of the state of Texas.

* Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston
* Diocese of Austin
* Diocese of Beaumont
* Diocese of Brownsville
* Diocese of Corpus Christi
* Diocese of Tyler
* Diocese of Victoria in Texas

Province of Hartford

The Ecclesiastical Province of Hartford comprises the states of Connecticut and Rhode Island.

* Archdiocese of Hartford
* Diocese of Bridgeport
* Diocese of Norwich
* Diocese of Providence

Province of Indianapolis

The Ecclesiastical Province of Indianapolis comprises the state of Indiana.

* Archdiocese of Indianapolis
* Diocese of Evansville
* Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend
* Diocese of Gary
* Diocese of Lafayette in Indiana

Province of Kansas City

The Ecclesiastical Province of Kansas City comprises the state of Kansas.

* Archdiocese of Kansas City in Kansas
* Diocese of Dodge City
* Diocese of Salina
* Diocese of Wichita

Province of Los Angeles

The Eccclesiastical Province of Los Angeles comprises the southern and central counties of the state of California.

* Archdiocese of Los Angeles
* Diocese of Fresno
* Diocese of Monterey
* Diocese of Orange
* Diocese of San Bernardino
* Diocese of San Diego

Province of Louisville

The Ecclesiastical Province of Louisville comprises the states of Kentucky and Tennessee.

* Archdiocese of Louisville
* Diocese of Covington
* Diocese of Knoxville
* Diocese of Lexington
* Diocese of Memphis
* Diocese of Nashville
* Diocese of Owensboro

Province of Miami

The Ecclesiastical Province of Miami comprises the state of Florida.

* Archdiocese of Miami
* Diocese of Orlando
* Diocese of Palm Beach
* Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee
* Diocese of St. Augustine
* Diocese of St. Petersburg
* Diocese of Venice

Province of Milwaukee

The Ecclesiastical Province of Milwaukee comprises the state of Wisconsin.

* Archdiocese of Milwaukee
* Diocese of Green Bay
* Diocese of La Crosse
* Diocese of Madison
* Diocese of Superior

Province of Mobile

The Ecclesiastical Province of Mobile comprises the states of Alabama and Mississippi.

* Archdiocese of Mobile
* Diocese of Biloxi
* Diocese of Birmingham in Alabama
* Diocese of Jackson

Province of New Orleans

The Ecclesiastical Province of New Orleans comprises the state of Louisiana.

* Archdiocese of New Orleans
* Diocese of Alexandria in Louisiana
* Diocese of Baton Rouge
* Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux
* Diocese of Lafayette in Louisiana
* Diocese of Lake Charles
* Diocese of Shreveport

Province of New York

The Ecclesiastical Province of New York comprises the state of New York.

* Archdiocese of New York
* Diocese of Albany
* Diocese of Brooklyn
* Diocese of Buffalo
* Diocese of Ogdensburg
* Diocese of Rochester
* Diocese of Rockville Centre
* Diocese of Syracuse

Province of Newark

The Ecclesiastical Province of Newark comprises the state of New Jersey.

* Archdiocese of Newark
* Diocese of Camden
* Diocese of Metuchen
* Diocese of Paterson
* Diocese of Trenton

Province of Oklahoma City

The Ecclesiastical Province of Oklahoma City comprises the states of Arkansas and Oklahoma.

* Archdiocese of Oklahoma City
* Diocese of Little Rock
* Diocese of Tulsa

Province of Omaha

The Ecclesiastical Province of Omaha comprises the state of Nebraska.

* Archdiocese of Omaha
* Diocese of Grand Island
* Diocese of Lincoln

Province of Philadelphia

The Ecclesiastical Province of Philadelphia comprises the state of Pennsylvania.

* Archdiocese of Philadelphia
* Diocese of Allentown
* Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown
* Diocese of Erie
* Diocese of Greensburg
* Diocese of Harrisburg
* Diocese of Pittsburgh
* Diocese of Scranton

Province of Portland

The Ecclesiastical Province of Portland comprises the states of Idaho, Montana and Oregon.

* Archdiocese of Portland
* Diocese of Baker
* Diocese of Boise
* Diocese of Great Falls-Billings
* Diocese of Helena

Province of Saint Louis

The Ecclesiastical Province of Saint Louis comprises the state of Missouri.

* Archdiocese of Saint Louis
* Diocese of Jefferson City
* Diocese of Kansas City-Saint Joseph
* Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau

Province of Saint Paul and Minneapolis

The Ecclesiastical Province of Saint Paul and Minneapolis comprises the states of Minnesota, North Dakota and South Dakota.

* Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis
* Diocese of Bismarck
* Diocese of Crookston
* Diocese of Duluth
* Diocese of Fargo
* Diocese of New Ulm
* Diocese of Rapid City
* Diocese of Saint Cloud
* Diocese of Sioux Falls
* Diocese of Winona

Province of San Antonio

The Ecclesiastical Province of San Antonio comprises the western counties of the state of Texas.

* Archdiocese of San Antonio
* Diocese of Amarillo
* Diocese of Dallas
* Diocese of El Paso
* Diocese of Fort Worth
* Diocese of Laredo
* Diocese of Lubbock
* Diocese of San Angelo

Province of San Francisco

The Ecclesiastical Province of San Francisco comprises the northern counties of the state of California and all of the states of Hawaii, Nevada and Utah.

* Archdiocese of San Francisco
* Diocese of Honolulu
* Diocese of Las Vegas
* Diocese of Oakland
* Diocese of Reno
* Diocese of Sacramento
* Diocese of Salt Lake City
* Diocese of San Jose in California
* Diocese of Santa Rosa in California
* Diocese of Stockton

Province of Santa Fe

The Ecclesiastical Province of Santa Fe comprises the states of Arizona and New Mexico.

* Archdiocese of Santa Fe
* Diocese of Gallup (comprising portions of New Mexico and Arizona, it is one of only a few dioceses to include more than one state in the U.S.)
* Diocese of Las Cruces
* Diocese of Phoenix
* Diocese of Tucson

Province of Seattle

The Ecclesiastical Province of Seattle comprises the state of Washington.

* Archdiocese of Seattle
* Diocese of Spokane
* Diocese of Yakima

Province of Washington

The Ecclesiastical Province of Washington comprises the District of Columbia, five neighboring counties in Maryland, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.

* Archdiocese of Washington
* Diocese of Saint Thomas

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Press Release from the General Superior of the Priestly Society of Saint Pius X

By the Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum, Pope Benedict XVI has reinstated the Tridentine Mass in its rights, and clearly affirmed that the Roman Missal promulgated by Saint Pius V had never been abrogated. The Priestly Society of Saint Pius X rejoices to see the Church thus regain her liturgical Tradition, and give the possibility of a free access to the treasure of the Traditional Mass for the glory of God, the good of the Church and the salvation of souls, to the priests and faithful who had so far been deprived of it. The Priestly Society of Saint Pius X extends its deep gratitude to the Sovereign Pontiff for this great spiritual benefit.

The letter which accompanies the Motu Proprio does not hide however the difficulties that still remain. The Society of Saint Pius X wishes that the favorable climate established by the new dispositions of the Holy See will make it possible – after the decree of excommunication which still affects its bishops has been withdrawn – to consider more serenely the disputed doctrinal issues.

Lex orandi, lex credendi, the law of the liturgy is that of the faith. In the fidelity to the spirit of our founder, Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, the attachment of the Society of Saint Pius X to the traditional liturgy is inseparably united to the faith which has been professed "always, everywhere and by all."

Menzingen, July 7, 2007

Bishop Bernard Fellay