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Pope Gives Go-Ahead to Latin Mass

After 4 decades out of favor, rite faces opposition, controversy

By M. Morris,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 7, 2007 5:53 PM CDT
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(Newser) – Four decades after sweeping reforms intended to make the Catholic Church more accessible, Pope Benedict backed off the best-known change today, lifting restrictions on the Tridentine rite, better known as the Latin Mass. The move is already controversial, Time reports, because it's perceived as a sop to traditionalists—and because the Good Friday liturgy includes a prayer many consider anti-Semitic.

The shift was expected, but the pope still accompanied the announcement with a letter (in Latin) explaining the decision. The Latin Mass doesn't replace the so-called vernacular liturgy, but it can be performed if a "stable group of faithful" requests it, the pontiff said. The practical effects are unlikely to be significant; the symbolic ones may be just the opposite.

Pope Benedict XVI blesses the faithfull during his weekly general...
Pope Benedict XVI blesses the faithfull during his weekly general...   (Getty Images)
Pope Benedict XVI waves to faithfull as
Pope Benedict XVI waves to faithfull as   (Getty Images)
Pope Benedict XVI smiles during his weekly general audience at...
Pope Benedict XVI smiles during his weekly general audience at...   (Getty Images)
Pope Benedict XVI, center, makes the sign of the cross during the weekly general audience in Paul VI Hall at the Vatican, Wednesday July 4, 2007. At left, Bishop James Harvey. At right, the pontiff's secretary Monsignor Georg Gaenswein. (AP Photo/Plinio Lepri)
Pope Benedict XVI, center, makes the sign of the cross during the weekly general audience in Paul VI Hall at the Vatican, Wednesday July 4, 2007. At left, Bishop James Harvey. At right, the pontiff's...   (Associated Press)
Pope Benedict XVI gestures during the weekly general audience in Paul VI Hall at the Vatican, Wednesday July 4, 2007. (AP Photo/Plinio Lepri)
Pope Benedict XVI gestures during the weekly general audience in Paul VI Hall at the Vatican, Wednesday July 4, 2007. (AP Photo/Plinio Lepri)   (Associated Press)
Pope Benedict XVI joins his hands during an audience at the Vatican, Saturday June 30, 2007. The pontiff on Saturday invited all Roman Catholics in China to unite under his jurisdiction and urged Beijing to restore diplomatic ties and permit religious freedom. He called the state-run Catholic Church incompatible with...
Pope Benedict XVI joins his hands during an audience at the Vatican, Saturday June 30, 2007. The pontiff on Saturday invited all Roman Catholics in China to unite under his jurisdiction and urged Beijing...   (Associated Press)
Pope Benedict XVI blows his nose during his weekly general audience...
Pope Benedict XVI blows his nose during his weekly general audience...   (Getty Images)
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COMMENTS
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Res ipsa loquitur

More on the pope's reasoning
New York Times

The move is conservative, consistent
Bloomberg

Details of the Good Friday rite, which includes a prayer for the conversion of Jews
Independent (UK)

Crisis of Immutabilty
Time

 
Pope Benedict XVI • Catholic Church • Latin Mass

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