Motu Proprio Commentary

Thank You,

Holy Father!

On July 7, 2007, Pope Benedict XVI issued a Motu Proprio entitled Summorum Pontificum, allowing the wider use of the Latin Mass effective September 14, 2007 - the Feast of the Triumph of the Cross.

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Summorum Pontificum

Unofficial translation in English

Provides only a segment of the document

Official translation in Latin

In Letter to Bishops

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English Translation Softens

the Meaning of the Latin

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Ecclesia Dei

Apostolic Letter of Pope John Paul II

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To the Holy Father and Ecclesia Dei

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The Saint Benedict Center

Una Voce America

What is a Motu Proprio?

The phrase "Motu Proprio" means "of his own accord" and is used to signify a response in writing to a provision (rescript) by the Holy Father or a Sacred Congregation to queries or petitions. The use of this term means that the provision was decided upon by the Pope personally, without the advice of the Cardinals or others, for reasons which he himself deemed sufficient.

Summorum Pontificum is a response to Pope John Paul II's Ecclesia Dei.

The document has generally the form of a decree: in style it resembles a Brief rather than a Bull, but differs from both especially in not being sealed or countersigned. It issues from the Dataria Apostolica, and is usually written in Latin.

It begins by stating the reason inducing the sovereign pontiff to act, after which is stated the law or regulation made, or the favor granted, It is signed, personally by the Pope, his name and the date being always in Latin. The best-known example of a Motu Proprio, prior to Summorum Pontificum, is the instructions issued by Pius X on 22 November, 1903, for the reform of church music.

The phrase motu proprio is frequently employed in papal documents. One characteristic result of its use is that a rescript containing it is valid and produces its effect even in cases where fraud would ordinarily have vitiated the document, for the words signify that the pope in granting the favour does not rely on the reasons alleged. When the clause is used in dispensations, the latter are given a broad interpretation; a favor granted motu proprio is valid even when counter to ecclesiastical law, or the decisions of the pope himself. Consequently, canonists call the clause the "mother of repose": "sicut papaver gignit somnum et quietem, ita et hæc clausula habenti eam."

Sources:

The Catholic Encyclopedia, Volume XII. Published 1911. New York: Robert Appleton Company. Nihil Obstat, June 1, 1911. Remy Lafort, S.T.D., Censor. Imprimatur. +John Cardinal Farley, Archbishop of New York

Decretals Greg. IX, I, 3; TAUNTON, The Law of the Church (London, 1906).

The Bishops Weigh In

For an excellent summary of the Responses of the Bishops. They are also compiling a data base of those who want the Latin Mass in their Diocese.

Summorum Pontificum.net

Indiana Bishop Predicts Lack of Interest

in Midwest

Could it be the current locations?

All Catholics need a sense of community.

Archdiocese of Denver, Colorado

Archbishop Charles J. Caput, OFM, Cap.

Asks for patience and charity

Diocese of Erie, Pennsylvania