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| Celebration in the Immemorial Mass of All Ages: A Cardinal Interprets Summorum Pontificum Correctly |
(Rome) The legal norms of Benedict XVI. are clear. They were established by him for the whole universal Church in the motu proprio Summorum Pontificum committed. Any priest has the discretion and without any additional permission to celebrate Holy Mass in the extraordinary form of the Roman Rite. In order for believers to be able to attend the celebration, is to form a stable group. The phrase "coetus fidelium" lists no minimum number, it sets the hurdle but so low that a handful is enough.
Not all bishops, priests and Ordinaries can make friends with the motu proprio. Again and again there are reports that the faithful who wish the celebration of Mass in the traditional rite, being put off, being slowed or even shown hostility. The standards adopted by Pope Benedict XVI. leave no plausible discretion in proper compliance. As a rule, therefore, ideological reasons hide behind resistance against the traditional Mass.
The Archbishop of Ancona-Osimo, Msgr. Edoardo Menichelli, who was made a cardinal by pope Francis in February 2015 is an exemplary case.
An overzealous priest in whose parish a coetus fidelium had formed and requested the celebration of Mass in the traditional rite, turned to the Archbishop, to obtain a "permission." Such is, however, according to Summorum Pontificum, not necessary. In this sense Cardinal's response anticipated this, who correspondingly wrote the Coetus fidelium:
"As already stated, the rule of a stable group applies, the bishop does not need to grant any permission.
I know that you've already spoken with the pastor, and the group also provides the liturgical book [the 1962 Missal].
I do not now know who will celebrate the Holy Eucharistic liturgy: if there is a priest of the diocese, I have no objection; should it be another priest, he has - as required - to submit to the pastor the celebret.
On this occasion, I bless you all and your families. "
Law: If you have to ask, the answer is NO.
ReplyDeleteCorollary: It is always easier to say "I'm sorry."