'Motu Proprio' rumblings

From time to time, we get questions from readers wondering what is going on with the pope's rumored "motu proprio" ("of his own accord") statement that would address the revival of Tridentine (pre-Vatican II) Latin Masses in the church today. We really haven't heard anything, although we've been keeping our eyes open for news. A blog by Father John Zuhlsdorf, who used to do a nice Q&A for Catholic Online, points out that an Italian newspaper has printed an unsigned article (note: article is in Italian) claiming that the Motu Proprio could be issued on Monday, after Pope Benedict XVI's 80th birthday (although it hints it also could be later). Here is Father Zuhlsdorf's translation of the article:

The long-awaited Motu Proprio next Monday
Mass in Latin: Tradition returns

The long-awaited papal "Motu Proprio" on the recovery of the pre-Conciliar Mass in the Latin has been ready for a while, but its publication, foreseen at first for before Easter, will slide instead for after 16 April (slitterà a dopo il 16 aprile), the day of the 80th Birthday of Benedict XVI. So indicate reliable sources in the Vatican. The document, written by the Pope himself, will restore the possibility of celebrating the Mass in Latin with the Tridentine Rite. That is not to say that this Rite is forbidden: but there are so many and so complex burocratic obstacles and approvals to obtain from local bishops that most of the faithful to whom it would be a pleasure to return to the feel of things as established by the Council of Trent, that they give up. The Motu Proprio – according to the previews that have surfaced in the last months – would permit the celebration of Mass in an almost automatic way, if it is requested by a certain number of people. The Tridentine Mass in Latin is the only one accepted by the followers of the deceased schismatic [sic] Bishop Marcel Lefevbre and the pontifical document would without question reopen the way for a repair of the break that occured in the ‘80s of the last century. The French bishops, guided by their president Jean Pierre Ricard, aren’t hiding a certain discomfort in the face of losing control over their liturgical capital, still burning in France, the following of the Lefebvrite community of St. Pius X is strong. There are many French priests who
refuse to celebrate in Latin. Specifically to smooth the perplexity of the episcopacy on that side of the Alps, the publication of the Motu Proprio was delayed several times. On the other hand is evident that the return of a spirituality more closely connected to the millennial tradition of the Church is one of the central point of this Pontificate: even in the post-Synodal Exhortation on the Eucharist a greater use of Latin and of Gregorian chant was wished for.
-- Tuesday, 10 April 2007

Since the Italian press is known for throwing a lot of news against the wall to see what sticks (although not nearly as bad as in Britain), I would not get too excited about this rumor. Even if it does happen, it sounds like it could disappoint those who think Benedict is going to take a hard-line approach to getting all parishes to revert back to the Latin Mass. I'm not sure where that rumor started either. It sounds like it will be in the middle... encouraging, but not mandating, that parishes reintroduce the beauty of the Latin Mass back into their communities. So we'll just exactly what this is going to say. I am not a hard-line, Latin Mass-only Catholic, but it is a beautiful Mass and I wouldn't mind more parishes offering them.

In the meantime, Father Zuhlsdorf also points out this interesting video (about 5:30 in length) that shows Fraternity of St. Peter priests at a French church transforming the altar into one suitable for the Tridentine Mass. The entire process actually took about 15 minutes. This could be a common scene at many churches after the Motu Proprio is released.



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