New document from Ecclesia Dei commision (with a 'how to' guide)

Curt Jester ^ | January 3, 2008 | Jeff Miller

[NYer]

Vatican, Dec. 31, 2007 (CWNews.com) - The Vatican will soon issue a new document clarifying the terms of Summum Pontificum, Cardinal Tarcisio Bertone has revealed.

Confirming reports that have circulated around Rome in recent weeks, the Vatican Secretary of State told the Italian weekly Famiglia Cristiana that the Ecclesia Dei commission will issue instructions to "clarify the criteria for the application of the motu proprio" in which Pope Benedict XVI broadened access to the traditional Latin Mass.

Cardinal Bertone said that the new document was needed because there have been some "confused reactions" to the motu proprio. In fact some Vatican officials-- most notably Archbishop Malcolm Ranjith, the secretary of the Congregation for Divine Worship-- have energetically criticized bishops who have failed to accept the papal directive.

This news came out earlier this week, but I have been working with my contacts to try to get more information. In a world exclusive I have gotten hold of the new document which is being released in a format that up to now has never been used before by the Vatican. I don't know how it will be received by some bishops, but I think the new format will be helpful for them. And here is a sample page.

[NYer]

:-)

[AnAmericanMother]

LOL!!!!!

[maryz]

Did you happen to catch this anywhere? Pity to miss it . . . Someone on Fr. Zuhlsdorf’s blog suggested it be forwarded to bishops who might need a bit of a prod! ;-)

[livius]

Very amusing! My bishop needs a prod, but unfortunately, he and the boys at the deanery are using this new document as an excuse not to do anything for awhile longer.

After all, they can’t possibly be expected to do anything until they know what the Pope’s instructions are, right? I mean, they might not be able to work out how to avoid carrying them out unless they get all the specifics...

[magisterium]

This document will be less of a "clarification" than it will be a papal "dope slap" and clarion call to get with the program...now! I can't wait to see it.

Perhaps the bishops could benefit also from reading Acts 15:6-12, especially the first part of verse 12. Peter spoke, the other apostles (translation for our current miter wearers: his fellow bishops) listened and assented through their very silence. End of story. OK, sometimes it actually is a bit more complicated than that, but the implementation of the recent Motu Proprio in question is not one of those occasions.

[maryz]

as an excuse not to do anything for awhile longer.

Figuring out Plan B for how to circle the wagons this time? ;-)

[maryz]

a papal "dope slap" and clarion call

I devoutly hope you're right! Though, too, from Fr. Z's blog, one midwestern bishop issued a new letter that kind of softened his earlier one, newer responses are much more positive than those that came out earlier, and even O'Malley hasn't moved (yet anyway) to crack down on those few fragile blossoms here. I wonder if there are more specific rumors floating around the episcopate? Or maybe even some genteel, behind-the-scenes arm-twisting?

In any case, I can't wait for this thing to come out!

[Huber]

Brilliant!