What Does The Prayer Really Say?
W D T P R S

A few days ago I posted an official statement about the decision of the Bishop of Gaylord that all parish Masses must be in English unless specific permission was granted to use another language. 

This stirred some strong reactions.

I received this by e-mail.  It is a response to a reader of this blog by the Director of Communications for the Diocese of Gaylord, Candace Neff.  I removed the name of the person to whom it is addressed.

This is a correction of the misreading of the norm that "all liturgies in the Diocese of Gaylord are to be celebrated entirely in English by the presiding celebrant."

My emphases and comments.

Dear __,

Thank you for writing. Please see the statement below:

Sincerely,

Candace Neff
Director of Communications
Diocese of Gaylord

STATEMENT REGARDING USE OF
THE VERNACULAR WHEN CELEBRATING LITURGY

A recent directive by Bishop Patrick R. Cooney regarding the use of the vernacular when celebrating the liturgy has been misunderstood and misrepresented throughout many Internet blog sites and in some media outlets. Before jumping to conclusions, one must understand the history behind the policy. The directive was issued in June of this year to address some specific issues occurring in our diocese with regard to the Mass. Essentially, a kind of "hybrid" Mass was beginning to be celebrated in which both the vernacular and Latin were being interspersed [?] during the Eucharistic Liturgy. The directive of the Bishop was made to correct these issues, to address a very specific concern in our diocese, and to restore proper order according to the guidelines of the Universal Church. Further the directive clearly begins with the statement, "Until other law is promulgated…"  [I don’t get it.  There is NOTHING WRONG with using both English and Latin, or another language, in a Mass.  Or am I missing something?]

The fact that this directive was released approximately one week prior to the release of Pope Benedict XVI’s Apostolic Letter on the Use of the Preconciliar Liturgical Form was purely a matter of coincidence.  [Okay.  Let us take them at their word.]

The characterization among the blog sites and others that Bishop Cooney’s intention was to act in defiance of the Holy Father’s Summorum Pontificum is completely false.  [This is very good news.] In fact, though we are a small, rural diocese with very few priests who possess the necessary competence and qualifications called for by the Holy Father in his Apostolic Letter, Bishop Cooney immediately began consultations with the clergy of our area to determine how we might offer a regular celebration of the liturgy according to the rite of the Roman Missal published in 1962. Those who carefully read Summorum Pontificum will also note specific guidelines by the Holy Father and that the decree takes effect September 14, 2007 – nearly another full month from now.  [Again, I am delighted to read this.]

Further, some have attempted to extrapolate the directive from Bishop Cooney as intended to eliminate other celebrations of the Eucharist in the vernacular of those gathered, such as our Hispanic population. [I did not see in the blogosphere that some people thought His Excellency was trying to elminated Spanish.  I figured from the beginning that his directive was aimed at Latin, though it would have some effects on Spanish.] In fact, the Diocese of Gaylord long ago established an Apostolate to serve our Hispanic brothers and sisters living and working in our area. For years, a liturgy in Spanish has been offered for them and it continues today. Upon reflection, we agree that perhaps the language in the policy stating "all liturgies… are to be celebrated entirely in English" may have led to a misunderstanding [I don’t know how.   The statement was pretty clear.  "all… are to be celebrated entirely in Engligh"] by those who were not in attendance at the clergy gathering to hear the full explanation of the policy, as well as those others who are not familiar with our diocese. For this confusion and any hurt which may have ensued, we most sincerely apologize.  [That is gracious.]

In summary, it has always been Bishop Cooney’s intention and practice to follow the directives of the Holy Father in a manner to best minister to and serve the people of the Diocese of Gaylord.

This is a very good bit of news, all in all.   It was unfathomable that a diocese would impose such a policy.   At the same time, one would hope that official statements might be carefully enough written to say what they intend to convey.   After all, regardless what was discussed in any meeting or in consultations, or what specific circumstances there were in that local church, the words in black on white are what remain.  When they are norms, that is pretty important.

I am very pleased to hear that we were so wrong about the Diocese of Gaylord and that the truth of the matter has been clarifed. 

I look forward to hearing what positive things result from the consultations undertaken to establish "regular celebration" of the older form of Mass for those who desire it.

I am lead to wonder if the new Bishop of Birmingham is making his upcoming presence known.

Surely this will cause some folks to completely freak out.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

MEDIA ADVISORY

EWTN to Televise Live Tridentine Mass Celebrated by the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter

DENTON, Nebraska – AUGUST 17, 2007 – For the first time in its 26 year history, Mother Angelica’s Eternal Word Television Network (EWTN) will be broadcasting a live Solemn High Mass at the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament in Hanceville, Alabama on September 14, 2007 at 8:00AM EST.  EWTN has asked for the assistance of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter, an international Society of Apostolic Life of Pontifical Right, to help celebrate this "extraordinary" form.

This past July 7th, Pope Benedict XVI affirmed the beauty and importance of the Tridentine Mass by issuing Summorum Pontificum, a papal document encouraging and confirming the right of all Latin Rite priests to use this more ancient use of the Mass starting September 14th.  The Tridentine Mass was the normative liturgy experienced by Latin Rite Catholics prior to the Second Vatican Council.

"Most Catholics have not seen this heavenly celebration in over 40 years," said Father Calvin Goodwin, a professor at the Society’s international English-speaking seminary located in Denton, Nebraska.  "We are very excited to help EWTN and to support the Holy Father’s call for a wider presence of this form of the Mass.  This is a cause for great joy."

Priests and seminarians from Denton, Nebraska will travel to Alabama and provide the celebrant, deacon, subdeacon, preacher, master of ceremonies and altar servers.

About the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter

Established in 1988 by Pope John Paul II, the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter is an international society of Catholic priests entrusted with the preservation and administration of the Catholic Church’s ancient Latin liturgical traditions.  Over 120 seminarians are preparing for the priesthood in the Fraternity’s two seminaries in Bavaria, Germany and Denton, Nebraska.

About EWTN

Founded by Mother Angelica, a Poor Clare nun, the Eternal Word Television Network has become the largest religious media network in the world, transmitting programming 24 hours a day to more than 123 million homes in 140 countries and  territories on more than 4,800 cable systems, wireless cable, Direct Broadcast Satellite (DBS), low power TV and individual satellite users.

Contact: 

Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary

7880 West Denton Road

Denton, NE 68339   U.S.A.

(402) 797-7700

seminary@fsspolgs.org

 

 

And now for something completely different….

Folks, I do not enjoy parsing and "fisking" those cold reactions to the Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum.  As a matter of fact, this WDTPRS thing isn’t primarily about the older form of Mass.  However, the MP is so important for everything else in the life of the Church right now, despite the poohpoohing of those who say it is not such a big deal, that I am giving it my all.  But, kindly know that I take no pleasure from examining the harsh reactions and it is not my intention to beat up on anyone.

Therefore, I take great pleasure in posting happy stories.  They are happy to me, at least and this, after all, is my blog.

In The St. Louis Review, the weekly newspaper of the Archdiocese of St. Louis, where the estimable Most Reverend Raymond Burke has been edifying us for several years now, I find this story.

Enjoy!

My emphases.

August 17, 2007

Two rural parishes planning to begin weekly Latin Mass in fall

by Jean M. Schildz, Review Staff Writer

FR. DATTILO

St. Joseph Parish in Apple Creek and sister parish St. Maurus in Biehle plan to celebrate a regular weekly Tridentine Latin Mass beginning this fall.

An 11:15 a.m. Sunday Latin Mass will be celebrated on a rotating basis alternating months at the two Perry County parishes. The first Latin Mass is set to take place Nov. 4 at St. Maurus.

Father Anthony A. Dattilo, pastor of both parishes, will celebrate the Mass. It is being added at the request of parishioners, he told the Review in an interview this week.

His decision to add the Mass has received "a very positive response," he said.

Father Dattilo noted there has been strong interest for some time at the two parishes to celebrate the Mass according to the 1962 Roman Missal. Some parishioners, he said, had asked that the Latin Mass be celebrated even before last month’s release of Pope Benedict XVI’s apostolic letter "Summorum Pontificum," which allows for greater use of the Tridentine Mass.

Priests who wish to say the Tridentine Mass no longer have to first receive permission from their bishop, according to the pope’s pronouncement.

Father Dattilo said he and his parishioners prayed for this. "I see it as important. It’s a liturgical tradition of the Church that’s beautiful and holy, and I think a lot of people prayed for it. It’s not something that just dropped out of the skies. I thought I’d be an old man before this would happen. People desired this."

The closest regular Latin Mass within the archdiocese for his parishioners has been at St. Francis de Sales Oratory in South St. Louis. A weekly Tridentine Mass has not been celebrated regularly in Perry County for years. Sts. Joseph and Maurus are part of the archdiocese’s Ste. Genevieve Deanery, which encompasses the southernmost point of the archdiocese.

The Latin Mass at the two churches will be offered in addition to the regular Sunday Masses. "The English Mass, or new order of the Mass, will stay the same. We’re adding a Mass, not deleting or changing one," Father Dattilo stressed.

The ordinary form of the Roman Rite will continue to be celebrated Sundays at 7:30 a.m. at Apple Creek and 9:30 a.m. at Biehle.

Father Dattilo said he loves the Mass in both its English and Latin rites. He sees the value of both. The two co-exist, he said. "People want both."

What draws him to the Latin rite is "the reverence in it. Everything is so directed toward God. It could be in any language as far as I’m concerned." He also appreciates the silence during the Mass, adding that "the mystery of faith comes across."

He loves the ordinary form of the Mass because of the singing, the congregation’s participation and its being said in English "for people who don’t understand Latin or don’t have an affinity for it."

A Traditional Mass Committee created by Father Dattilo will assist him in preparing for the Latin Mass. Members are Charlie Malawey of St. Maurus and Lloyd Connour of St. Joseph.

The 45-year-old priest admits he needs "to brush up on the Mass," as he wrote in a recent parish bulletin. Father Dattilo said he learned part of the rite a long time ago and now has to relearn it. Ordained in 1990, he first attended a Tridentine Mass at St. Agatha in South St. Louis when he was a seminarian. The Mass was celebrated by Msgr. Bernard E. Granich. "He was the first one that I ever saw celebrate the Tridentine Mass. It was very beautiful," he recalled.

Father Dattilo plans to get some personal training in the rite and also has found helpful resources on the Internet.

Missals and servers’ books from Ecclesia Dei of Chicago have been purchased to train servers and others. Instruction on how to say the Latin prayers, for example, is given phonetically in the materials. A St. Maurus parishioner who served at Latin Mass as a youngster will assist in the training. Another St. Maurus parishioner has volunteered to be a cantor. Father Dattilo is hoping others join her from both parishes to form a choir.

Both parish churches, he added, are suited for a Latin Mass "because they’re old-fashioned churches." Very minimal changes were needed, he said.

Somethings to note.

1. There is no mention of the Archbishop.  The pastor did this.  That is what Summorum Pontificum says.
2. This is not an "either…or" choice, "older or newer".   It is "both…and".
3. There is going to be involvement of lay people to help organize things.
4. The tone of the whole thing is postive positive positive.

Why can’t more places just relax and enjoy the fruits of the provisions without getting all worked up about who’s in charge or who is being excluded?

This relieved some of the distaste of the morning’s work.  

Thanks St. Louis!

 

I got a little blurb from Alcuin Reid who says he wrote a forward to a new book on celebrating the older Mass in its "Low Mass" version.

If I can get a review copy, I will write on it.  I only mention it here, but if it is good, I push it a bit.

A Guide to the Celebration of Low Mass by Lee Bradshaw

Description:

A Guide to the Celebration of Low Mass, According to the Traditional Roman Rite is a reference and training aid for seminarians, priests and interested laypeople. The standard text of the Mass is set forth, with notes on the correct liturgical actions accompanying each part of the Rite, in accordance with the books of 1962. By using this book instead of a Missal when learning to say Mass, the reader will have a convenient source for both the spoken word and the ritual actions to be made, clearly indicating what the Celebrant of Mass should be doing at each point. It also collects together in one place the prayers that must be memorised by the celebrant, and also those that it is convenient that he should know by heart; and includes notes on the Pronunciation of Liturgical Latin. With a preface by Dr Alcuin Reid, editor of Ceremonies of the Roman Rite Described. 65 pages.  $19.95 USD

Kindly notice "Pronunciation of Liturgical Latin".

The Motu Proprio says that a priest must be idoneus ("qualified") in order say the older Mass.  Idoneus does NOT imply expertise, but rather minimum qualifications.  This is why the eminent canonist and Archbishop of New York, Edward Card. Egan stated officially that:

II. Priests who choose to celebrate Mass in the "extraordinary" form must have a sufficient knowledge of the Latin language to pronounce the words correctly.

There are those who will claim that a priest must know more in order to have permission to say the older Mass. 

Reverend Fathers, at the very least, get on the stick and work on your pronunciation!

I received this Press Release and want to give it some visibility:

Online Multimedia Tutorial of the 1962 Catholic Latin Tridentine Mass

2007-08-17
By Rev. Scott Haynes, S.J.C.

A new web site has been released
 SanctaMissa.org

For_Immediate_Release:

CHICAGO, IL - AUGUST 17, 2007 – Pope Benedict XVI’s ground-breaking Motu Proprio entitled Summorum Pontificum will go into effect on Friday, 14 September 2007. And so, Catholic priests from around the world have been dusting off their old Latin Missals to prepare for the return of the Traditional Latin Mass.

But this week the Traditional Latin Mass has come into the 21st Century. There is now a very modern way to learn this ancient liturgy. The Canons Regular of Saint John Cantius ( societycantius.org) have launched SanctaMissa.org as an online tutorial for priests learning to celebrate the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite according to the 1962 Missale Romanum.

In addition to providing an online multimedia tutorial, SanctaMissa.org provides the rubrics of the 1962 Missale Romanum in English, as translated by Rev. Dennis M. Duvelius, a ceremonial for altar servers, artilces on the spirituality of the Tridentine Latin Mass, a large resource of liturigical articles, and a ceremonial for liturgical music. Please check SanctaMissa.org regularly for new updates.

Priests needing resources to celebrate the ancient Roman Rite can visit the webstore of The Canons Regular of Saint John Cantius (cantius.org/webstore or 1-800-345-6665) to obtain new liturgical items (Liber Usualis, Missale Romanum, Rituale Romanum, altar cards, etc.)

Fr. Scott A. Haynes, S.J.C. (email@sanctamissa.org ), the website administrator of SanctaMissa.org will continually be working to enhance and expand this site. The Canons Regular of St. John Cantius are now gathering resources for the Traditional Latin Mass in Chinese, Lithuanian, French, Spanish and Polish.

Rev. C. Frank Phillips, C.R., the Founder and Superior of the The Canons Regular of Saint John Cantius (Chicago), hopes that SanctaMissa.org will assist priests in praying the Mass of the Ages with deeper reverence and love, so that the faithful attracted to this venerable rite might more profoundly enter into the Eucharistic Sacrifice.

Fr. Scott A. Haynes, S.J.C.
The Canons Regular of St. John Cantius
825 N. Carpenter Street, Chicago, Illinois 60622 USA
www.SanctaMissa.org
email@sanctamissa.org

The Archbishop of Seattle, Most Reverend Alex J Brunett, made a statement about the implementation of the Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum. 

The letter was addressed to priests.

What follows starts as a very smart, very theological approach to the Motu Proprio.  In the end it winds up being less about theology than authority.

My emphases and comments.

August 10, 2007

Dear Father:

Worship of God "for the praise and glory of his name," as well as ‘’for the good of all the Church opens us to communion with Christ." These references from the General Instruction of the Roman Missal are specifically cited in the opening of Pope Benedict XVI’s recent motu proprio titled Summorum Pontificum. This same liturgical theology also forms the basis of the Holy Father’s accompanying letter sent with the motu proprio to me and my brother bishops.

Both the motu proprio and the accompanying letter regard the use of Pope John XXIII’s publication of the 1962 Roman Missal. Because of the importance of these documents, I want to write you directly and share with you my own thoughts and reflections.

When I became bishop, I selected the motto, "Bread of Life, Sign of Faith," because it not only reflected my own personal and academic passion for reverent celebration of the sacraments but the deep desire I have to engage in the liturgical renewal of the Church, [His Excellency establishes is guiding principle, "liturgical renewal".  We shall see if the Motu Proprio fits his vision.] which has been such an important part of my many years as priest and bishop.

This is why I was heartened to read the manner in which the Holy Father cites the reverence and gratitude of his predecessor, Pope John Paul II, for the Church’s efforts at liturgical renewal:

"...the Second Vatican Council expressed the desire that with due respect and reverence for divine worship it be restored and adapted to the needs of our age."  [The theme of "our age" is introduced.]

As the Second Vatican Council in its Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy Article 1 states:

"The Sacred Council has several aims in view: it desires to impart an ever increasing vigor to the Christian life of the faithful [Is that in fact what we got?]; to adapt more suitable to the needs of our own time [Again, the "our age" theme.] those institutions that are subject to change; to foster whatever can promote union among all people in Christ; to strengthen whatever can help to call the whole of humanity into the household of the Church."

At the same time, the Church’s rule of prayer (lex orandi) is a witness to unchanged faith and unbroken tradition regardless of the introduction of new liturgical practices flowing from the renewal of the Second Vatican Council. [At this point we must consider the use of the word renewal.  There were changes or "renewals", as they are sometimes called of the liturgy after the Council.  However, did these changes truly result in renewal in the Church?   It is very often the case that people simply accept the word "renewal" without further consideration of whether there really was a renewal.  I don’t know how many times I have read statements of higher ups claiming that "no doubt, the ‘renewal’ of the liturgy and Church after the Council is a great success.  We would need to ask some hard questions about this statement, based in part on statistics.]  This is why the motu proprio is so rich in references to the spiritual Fathers of the Church as well as the previous pontiffs who have promulgated various editions of the Roman Missal through Church history.

Because of Pope Benedict XVI’s attention to a theology of communio, [Okay, now we have another idea.  "communio" instantly raises the "smartness", or "intellectual force" of this letter.  You could write many treatises  on this term, used in ecclesiology, or the study and theology of who and what the Church is.  Suffice to say that "communio" is used by Joseph Ratzinger and Hans Urs von Balthasar to describe the Second Vatican Council’s ecclesiology.  It was a dear enough concept Ratzinger that he helped found an international journal with that as it’s title.  "communio" describes, among other things, the goal of the Church’s life, along with its source: relationship of the Persons of the Trinity and our relationship with them opened to use through the Sacrifice and Resurrection of Christ and the work of the Holy Spirit.  From this starting point, there is room for many different expressions of Christian life in the Church, provided they have the same goal and source.  Contrary to communio is an attitude of "you are like me, or you are not in communion with me", an "either…or" approach to life in the Church (with due limits, of course).] his motu proprio both builds from prior documents from the Holy See on the liturgical renewal [there it is again] and expresses a pastoral concern toward those who have a continuing attachment to the Tridentine Mass.

The same is true in his apostolic letter to the bishops that accompanies this motu proprio, The Holy Father wants to deepen our Church’s communio by providing hospitality [His Excellency has chosen a very "theological" starting point for this statement.  He is working from "renewal" and "communion" and the "in our time".  However, the introduction of hospitality creates a crack in his foundation.  It is one thing to open the door in "welcome" and another to open it in "hospitality". You give "hospitality" to "outsiders".   Read on.] not only to those who embrace the liturgical renewal, but to those whose spirituality may need to be nurtured by the prior 1962 Roman Missal published by Pope John XXIII.  [In other words, those who need "hospitality" in our communio, who need to be brought in from outside, who don’t embrace renewal.]

Liturgical communio [The next logical move.] is best established, according to the Holy Father, when we see both the 1962 Roman Missal published by Pope John XXIII and[not "either… or"] the Missal of Pope Paul VI as two expressions of the same liturgical tradition published during the time of the Second Vatican Council. [Actually, this is an interesting insight: the older Missal was published just as the Council was to start while the newer Missal was effectively a rapid product of that Council.  They are both Missals of the Council, in a sense.  And since the way we pray has a reciprocal relationship with what we beleive (lex orandi, lex credendi, it is entirely reasonable that the two Missals should be in harmony provided that there content is in continuity and not rupture.] As our Holy Father so clearly noted in his motu proprio:

"The Roman Missal promulgated by Paul VI is to be regarded as the ordinary expression of the law of prayer (lex orandi) of the Catholic Church of the Latin Rite, while the Roman Missal promulgated by St. Pius V and published again by Blessed John XXIII as the extraordinary expression of the law of prayer (lex orandi) and on account of its venerable and ancient use let it enjoy due honor."

The Holy Father deliberately names the 1962 Roman. Missal published by Pope John XXIII as an "extraordinary" expression and the renewed [there it is again… remember… the writer wants you to accept this word automatically as meaning something superior to the what there was before the "renewal"] liturgy we currently experience in our parishes as the "ordinary" expression. These two expressions are not meant to compete with each other, but rather to complement each other.  [Fine.  Not "either… or".]

As Archbishop, I am grateful for the sense of communio we established [What went before was actually pretty good.  Here, however, I get the sense that the word "communio" has turned into a buzz word, or rather, has drifted away from the meaning of communio above.  We’ll see.] last year during our extensive consultation and review of the recently promulgated sacramental and liturgical policies here in the Archdiocese of Seattle. I believe this work provides the basis for us to turn our attention and consider ways of working together with this latest motu proprio of the Holy Father. I depend on you and your collaborative efforts to make implementation of this motu proprio a spiritually enriching experience for our local Church.

In receiving this recent motu proprio , I would like to outline for you briefly how we will be working together. [Wait… it is supposed to be "collaborative" effort.  Now he will say exactly what that will be.]

• September 20^th and 21^st I will be meeting with the Presbyteral Council in an overnight retreat format. We had already selected the theme of "Catholic Identity" [Stepping outside this statement for a moment, I have been contending mightily on this blog, in the paper I write for, and in the international press that Summorum Pontificum is part of the Holy Father’s project to reinvigorate Catholic identity by properly rerroting it in tradition so that the Church can be renewed from within and then be more vital in the world.] as a way of looking at our sacramental celebrations, especially matrimony. Because we selected the topic of "Catholic Identity," it will be especially timely to discuss with the Presbyteral Council the implementation of this current motu proprio. I invite you to speak with your deans prior to their overnight retreat so that they will be able to voice your insights on implementation.  [hmmm… ]
• I am asking you to save the date of November 9^th when our fall business meeting of the entire presbyterate will be scheduled. Based on the fruits of our discernment during the September’s Presbyteral Council retreat, I hope to present some helpful [!] guidelines regarding the use of the 1962 Roman Missal for the Archdiocese of Seattle.
• Several months ago, I met with the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter, which already has offered some assistance to our local Church on this matter. I will be working with the Presbyteral Council on how best to respond to their gracious offer of ministry.  [Darn.  I always hope that bishops seek to build their projects from within the presbyterate.  I don’t have anything against the FSSP, which I esteem.  They undoubtedly could be helpful in many ways.  However, I think that diocesan priests should be first and foremost the point men in parishes.  This is part of my position, held for years, that a priest shouldn’t have to join a "different" group in order to do what is his right to do.]

While the provisions of this motu proprio take effect on September 14^th of this year, I want to make sure that all proper procedures are in place so as to avoid confusion among the faithful and unnecessary complexity for our parishes already committed to the "ordinary" celebration of Eucharist. This is in keeping with the explicit instruction of the Holy Father regarding the role of the bishop.  [Okay!  Here we go!  Before anything, in this paean to communio he comes back to his own authority.]

"Nothing is taken away, then, from the authority of the Bishop, whose role remains that of being watchful that all is done in peace and serenity. Should some problem arise which the parish priest cannot resolve, the local Ordinary will always be able to intervene, in full harmony, however, with all that has been laid down by the new norms of the Motu Proprio."  [Notice, however, that in what is cited it is really the parish priest, the pastor, who is the main issue and the bishop should be there to "intervene in harmony" with the Motu Proprio.]

Based on my responsibilities as Archbishop and in the spirit of communio, I am requesting you to observe [Do these las two statements seem a little strange, now?] the following points regarding public celebrations of the 1962 Roman Missal published by Pope John XXIII:

• During this time of reflection and planning, [Ehem…. not if that time of reflection and planning stretches beyond 14 September when the universal law of the Church changes.  But above we read that there is to be a meeting on 9 November.  I wonder how this will work.] I remind you that the current Archdiocesan pastoral and sacramental policies regarding the 1962 Roman Missal remain in place (See EU 41-42).  [What does EU 42 say:  "EU 42. The Tridentine Mass should be celebrated only in a place designated by the Archbishop. Only a priest specifically authorized by the Archbishop may celebrate this liturgy."  On 14 September, necessarily, this ought no longer apply as it will be contrary to the Church’s law in Summorum Pontificum.]
• As the moderator and guardian of the liturgical life of our local Church, I will be determining the level of liturgical and linguistic competency [This is the "Trautman Loop Hole".  Like Bp. Trautman, I suppose he will give a test?  Remember that no matter what anyone says, the qualification asked for in Summorum Pontificum is that the priest be idoneus, which is minimum ability, not expertise. ] required by priests who wish to celebrate this extraordinary form publicly. I also will be consulting the Presbyteral Council, the Archdiocesan Liturgy Commission and others with appropriate expertise to determine the process for evaluating competency.  [Will they at the same time evaluate the competency of priests using the Novus Ordo?]
• In answering questions of parishioners, you may wish to note that the 1962 Roman Missal is an extraordinary form and, therefore, should never replace a currently scheduled ordinary celebration of the Eucharist in your parish. [I don’t think Summorum Pontificum says this.  However, bishops can micromanage the schedules of their parishes any way they want, I guess.]
• Celebrating three or more Masses on a Sunday requires my permission (See EU 5). [Aha!  The old "Trination Defense"!  This must be one of the most frequently ignored canons in the book when it comes to "pastoral need".  Priests everywhere are saying more than three Masses when necessary.  But when this might be useful to restrict people who want the older form, the law must be applied to the letter.] This Archdiocesan policy is based on both liturgical norms and canon law (CIC, c. 905 §2). This means that once I have consulted with the Presbyteral Council, I will carefully consider the manner, schedule and location of these extraordinary Masses, [Remember,according to Summorum Pontificum the pastors are the ones who make that determination in their parishes.] especially in light of the Hispanic pastoral plan [?] as well as the many other pressing pastoral needs for the ordinary celebration of the Eucharist in our Archdiocese.  [I see.  Is this anything other than, "Hey you!  "Tridentine" guy!  GET TO THE BACK OF THE BUS WHERE YOU BELONG!]

I wish to close by emphasizing the words of the Second Vatican Council.  [Okay… back to this, are we?]

"Mother Church earnestly desires that all the faithful should be led to that full conscious, and active participation [Again, this is an implication that the "unrenewed" are not really participating, but we have yawned over this one before, so I will leave it be. ] in liturgical celebrations called for by the very nature of the liturgy. Such participation by the Christian people as "a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a redeemed people (1 Pet. 2:9; cf. 2:4-5), is their right and duty by reason of their baptism" (CLS Art. 14).

As priest celebrants of the liturgy, [hang on… which includes, in a harmonius communio sort of way the OLDER form of Mass] we must be imbued by its spirit, formed and educated by its precepts, [Including the precepts of Summorum Pontificum?] and in deep love with the Church.

"In the reform and promotion of the sacred liturgy, this full and active participation by all the people [Again?] is the aim to be considered before all else. For it is the primary and indispensable source from which the faithful are to derive the true Christian spirit; and therefore pastors must zealously strive to achieve such participation by means of the necessary instruction. Yet it would be futile to entertain any hopes of realizing this unless in the first place the pastors themselves, become thoroughly imbued with the Spirit and power of the liturgy, and make themselves its teachers" (CSL Art. 14).

I am deeply grateful to all of you for undertaking the challenge of the Second Vatican Council and its continuing expression in the motu proprio Summorum Pontificum as we deepen our sense of communio.  [I am sorry, but at the end, this rings a bit hollow now.]

With warmest personal regards and wishes, I remain

Fraternally yours in Christ,

Most Rev. Alex J. Brunett
Archbishop of Seattle

I must from prudence leave comments off.

A final serious caveat:

I think we must permit room to take His Excellency at his word and that he truly is dedicated to the sort of communio he invokes and that he really does see the Second Vatican Council "expressed in the Motu Proprio" to paraphrase him only slightly from the end of his remarks. 

When all is said and done, may this extremely guarded and, under the surface, cold reception of the Motu Proprio will melt into a warmer embrace. 

I hope the position there will be one of sincere welcome, rather than tolerance of an outsider we have to admit to our house because communio says we do.

I hope the priests of the diocese and the people there are very careful and prudent in what they do as of 14 September so that things don’t become difficult for everyone.