Update to Forthcoming Instructions on Summorum Pontificum

See Rorate Caeli and Messa in Latino  which have now published specific details of the draft instructions to Summorum Pontificum.  See also noted Vatican reporters Paolo Rodari and Andrea Tornielli (scroll down to comment # 47) who have denied that these instructions  “water down” or restrict the application of Summorum Pontifcum – but  also confirm all  the facts reported in the two first mentioned sites. The New Liturgical Movement has consulted its own sources and found the fears of Rorate Caeli credible. We also have done our own independent research and can confirm that the fears of  the Instructions’ newly restrictive tendencies are well founded.

Already two problematic positions in the new Instructions have been reported. First, the draft specifies that SP applies only to the Roman rite. This seems to address primarily the Archdiocese of Milan where Cardinal Tettamanzi is reported not to welcome the restoration of the Traditional Ambrosian rite. This is bad enough for one of the largest Catholic dioceses in the world.  But if this would be taken to mean that SP does not apply to the derivatives of the Roman rite celebrated in various religious orders (especially the Dominicans) this would be a major reversal of policy. Tornielli, however, is of the view that under the language of the Instructions SP would still apply to these variants of the Roman rite.

The second and more significant restriction is a prohibition on the ordination of preists according to the Traditional rite, with two exceptions. First, those communities subject to Ecclesia Dei may use the Traditional ordination rite. Second, bishops wishing to ordain a priest in the Traditional rite would have to apply to Rome for specific permission to do so. The implications of this latter rule are particularly distressing. Instead of making the Traditional rite a matter of everyday availability (if not necessarily actual use) in the larger Roman rite this reservation to the Vatican associates the sacrament of Holy Orders in the “Extraordinary Form” with procedures for truly “extraordinary” situations like a change of rite or even penal proceedings! Moreover, the “spirit” of this rule will provide support for those forces that still wish to interpret SP in the manner of an indult or privilege.

The matter of greatest concern is whether these restrictions indicate a more general retreat from Pope Benedict’s previous support of traditional forms of liturgy (both “OF” and “EF”). Observers, to quote one more example, have noted a recent article critical of the Ecclesia Dei commission that appeared in the Osservatore Romano!

What can we do at this perhaps critical moment? Certainly prayer is always the best place to start. But an international petiton is now being organized in support of Summorum Pontificum:

Petition

I would encourage all of our readers to sign!