[Arthur McGowan]

I’m not discussing what was done “in practice.”

I was pointing out that when Bergoglio says that Benedict was “magnanimous” in “authorizing” the Old Mass, he’s spouting a lie. Benedict did not “authorize” the Old Mass. Benedict just spoke the truth: It was never forbidden.

[piusv]

I know what you were pointing out here. I was pointing out that in practice it was forbidden, so in effect Francis is correct is saying what he said.

Because of SP, priests could now offer the Latin Mass without fear of disciplinary actions. Prior to SP, an indult was required to offer the Latin Mass. That alone proves that it was previously something not allowed by law. Per the Catholic Encyclopedia,

Indults are general faculties, granted by the Holy See to bishops and others, of doing something not permitted by the common law.

There are still restrictions attached to offering the Latin Mass even with SP (for example, a priest can not offer the Latin Mass during the Easter Triduum).

Just as SP "replaced" prior documents such as Quattuor Abhinc Annos and Ecclesia Dei so can SP be replaced by a document written by Francis.