Comments on the Instruction Universae Ecclesiae

By the German-speaking Organizations supporting the Classical Roman Liturgy

We, the “Association of Laity in support of the Classical Roman Rite in the Catholic Church,” “Una Voce Germany,” the initiative “Pro Sancta Ecclesia” and the “Association of Initiatives of Catholic Laity and Clergy in the German-speaking Regions” welcome Universae Ecclesiae, the instruction/ implementing regulations for the Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum.

The organizations in the German speaking countries which support the extraordinary form of the Roman Rite thank the Holy Father for the measures he has adopted in the last few years in favor of this venerable Liturgy. By so doing, Pope Benedict XVI has made clear how strongly he is convinced that the current crisis of the Church can only be overcome through more profound Faith and Prayer.

Now it is up to the faithful, their clergy and bishops to comply with the papal directives and translate them into action, “always in agreement with the mens of the Holy Father clearly expressed by the Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum.” (Universae Ecclesiae (“UE”) 13). Now all our strength is required to take advantage of this opportunity and to avoid the many errors of the past decades. The celebrants of the extraordinary form must also play their part by following the provisions in the Instruction even if this means giving up personal preferences and the practice of many years. In this regard, Universae Ecclesiae is absolutely clear: “The liturgical books of the forma extraordinaria are to be used as they are. All those who wish to celebrate according to the forma extraordinaria of the Roman Rite must know the pertinent rubrics and are obliged to follow them correctly.” (UE 24). (Compare Sacrosanctum Concilium 22 §3 “Therefore no other person, even if he be a priest, may add, remove, or change anything in the liturgy on his own authority.” This applies to both the ordinary and the extraordinary form of the Roman Rite.”)

We are glad that the Instruction Universae Ecclesiae has clarified many points that have been discussed in the last few years, including the obligation to receive communion on the tongue, the requirement that only male acolytes are permitted and that readings in the vernacular can be given (immediately after the Latin reading) only in read masses (UE 26 and 28).

We appeal to those bishops who have all too often exhibited a restrictive attitude towards the forma extraordinaria to rethink and revise their approach in conformity with the Instruction Universae Ecclesiae by “offering to all the faithful the Roman Liturgy in the Usus Antiquior.” (UE 8a) and by offering to the clergy as well as future priests the chance to “learn the forma extraordinaria of the Roman Rite.” (UE 21).

Monika Rheinschmitt
Kurt Bantle
Gregor Hausmann
Raoul Meurer

(Translated by Stuart Chessman; thanks to Kreuz.net for the reference)