Vatican City (AsiaNews) – The “Motu proprio” with which Benedict XVI will liberalize the use of the use of the “tridentine” mass, that is the mass predating the reform introduced by John XXIII in 1962, on the heels of Vatican II, is due out “within days”, perhaps July 7th.
The document informs that “a meeting took place on Wednesday in the Vatican, presided over by Secretary of State, in which representatives from the diverse Episcopal conferences were shown the contents and spirit of the Holy Fathers’ “Motu proprio” proclamation regarding the use of the Missal promulgated by John XXIII in 1962. The Holy Father – continues the statement – came to meet the representatives and had an in depth discussion with them for over an hour. The publication of the document – which will be accompanied by an ample personal letter from the Pope to the single bishops – is due within days, when the document itself will be sent to all of the bishops with indications regarding its application”.
Pope John XXIII’s reform was most noted for its introduction of the mass in various modern languages, replacing Latin, and the celebration carried out facing the faithful, priests no longer turned with their backs upon the congregation resulting in altars being turned around. Harshly opposed by conservative groups, the reform was the root cause of the schism of the traditionalist msgr. Marcel Lefebvre.