What difference will the Motu Proprio make?

A friend raised this question with me yesterday. I`m sure there are those who will hope it will make very little. Often we are told when a new document comes out from Rome that it doesn`t really apply to England. That was famously said at the time of the publication of the 1997 document On certain questions regarding the collaboration of the non-ordained faithful in the sacred ministry of the priest despite it being remarkable for bearing the signatures of the heads of numerous Vatican dicasteries. Apparently it was designed for abuses which happen somewhere else but not England. A bishop was known to say that any document from Rome is filed away in his bottom draw, apparently oblivious to the precedent he might be setting for any of his own `guidelines`. Already the opinion has been offered that the Motu Proprio won`t really make any difference in England as the bishops are already so generous with their permissions. I look forward to the interpretation of word `extraordinary` as in the 1962 missal being the extraordinary form of the Roman Rite and will be keen to see if that interpretation comes anywhere near that used in the term extraordinary minister of Holy Communion.



However the same friend raised with me yesterday the practical outcome we can look forward to. For example, this

is not about to be transformed into this!

However what I hope it will enjoy is the momentum of something new. It will be harder for parish councils to declare themselves against any regular use of Latin in the liturgy, even if only a small amount, as I know does happen. There will, I hope, be a greater openness to the `hermeneutic of continuity` and we might see a more balanced approach to worship so that there is a place for that which speaks of tradition alongside the new. Of course nothing will be more powerful than a lead from the top. It would be useful for example for papal Masses to use the Graduale rather than the responsorial psalm if only now and then. A papal celebration of the traditional Mass will also be useful.

So far this papacy has been rather disappointing for those of us who read and were inspired by Cardinal Ratzinger`s books on the question of liturgical reform. However reports say that the Holy Father is determined to have the Motu Proprio see the light of day and is also frustrated by the delays. Let`s pray he gives us all something to celebrate on his 80th birthday.