Vatican City, Jul 6, 2007 / 09:10 am
The Vatican has announced that tomorrow at noon Rome time, the text of Pope Benedict’s Motu Proprio on the use of the pre-1970 Roman liturgy, Summorum Pontificum will be published.
Sources familiar with the document say that it is a well-balanced and thoughtfully composed document. The letter will address the use of the Tridentine Mass and how it will affect the unity of the Church, the authority of bishops, and the acceptance of the Second Vatican Council.
Some Jewish leaders have expressed fears that the letter will reinstate the use of prayers that they consider problematic. Benedict XVI’s decree will revive the 1962 rite for the celebration of the Mass, which includes prayers asking God to "take the veil" off Jewish hearts and show mercy "even for the Jews.”
Abraham Foxman, national director of the Anti-Defamation League, a U.S.-based Jewish civil rights group, did not seem to be worried about the concerns raised by others.
"From second-hand sources, my understanding is they understand our concern, our sensitivity, our distress," Mr. Foxman said in Rome.
"And I think they're not about to add to that distress after all the efforts we've made with reconciliation."
CNA will publish Benedict XVI’s Summorum Pontificum tomorrow morning at 7:00am EST.
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