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

The Bishops of Germany have issued a statement about the implementation of the Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum.  It is available at kreuz.net.

The following translation is from cathcon.

My emphases and comments.

    Guidelines of the German Bishops for the Traditional Latin Mass

    1. The possibility for the celebration of Mass in the extraordinary form must be carried forward under the leadership of the Bishop [I believe that in parishes it is the pastor, the parish priest, who makes the determination.  At least that is what SP 5.1 says.] by the principle of harmony between the interests and well-being of the Faithful making the request and the orderly care of souls. The permission of the extraordinary form may not reinforce existing tensions or cause new division (see Summorum Pontificum Article 5 § 1).  [Consider this: tensions and divisions are aggravated even more by not responding favorably to petitions from the faithful for the older form of Mass, to which it would now seem people have a right to enjoy as a legitimate and venerable use of the one Roman Rite.]

2. The ordinary form of the celebration of Mass is using the Missale Romanum 1970 (in the version of the Editio typica tertia 2002 and – up to the appearance of the German issue of the 3rd Edition – `the Missal for the Dioceses of the German speaking areas’ 2. 1988 Edition). For the extraordinary form of the celebration of Mass, the Missale Romanum 1962 (e.g. Editio juxta typicam Regensburg 1962, with Diocesan propers ) is to be used (see Summorum Pontificum Article 1).

    3. The Parish Mass is to be celebrated in the ordinary form. On Sundays, one Mass in the extraordinary form, in addition can be celebrated, not however replacing the Mass in the ordinary form (see Summorum Pontificum Article 5 § 2).

    4. The request for permission [odd phrase: "Den Antrag auf Genehmigung"] (in accordance with Summorum Pontificum Article 5 § 1) by groups of laymen (see Summorum Pontificum Article 7) can be made to the Parish Priest within a Parish and/or within a Parish organisation or a pastoral unit, which is the responsibility of a Parish Priest. If groups, however, consist of members of different Parishes and/or a Parish organisations or pastoral units, the request is to be addressed to the Diocesan bishop. [I know I have used this phrase before, but it seems especially appropriate now: "AUSWEIS, BITTE!"  How is this going to be confirmed?  Will people need to produce identification?]

    5. About the kind and size of the groups making the request, nothing is laid down, in order to be able to respond to the local conditions appropriately.  [At last some common sense about this.]

    6. The necessary suitability of the priests [Here we go!] for the celebration in the extraordinary form of the rite (see SP Article 5 § 4) is covered by the following requirements:

    – General suitability, which each priest must possess;  [This means that he has faculties and he is not impeded by law from saying Mass, etc.]

    – Acceptance of the whole liturgy of the Church in their ordinary and extraordinary forms (see accompanying letters of Pope Benedict XVI.);  [Not sure how this will be determined.  Will priests be required to sign an adhaesio fidei?]

    – Familiarity with the extraordinary form of the Rite;

    – Understanding of Latin. [How much?]

    The Diocesan Bishops will make, as required, provision available for continuing and further training for the acquisition of the familiarity with the extraordinary form of the Rite and for the acquisition of the necessary understanding of the Latin language. [This is pretty good.]

    7. The Parish Priest and/or Rector of a Church is not obliged, even if he possesses the suitability, to celebrate the Missale Romanum 1962. If he believes because of official burdens or for personal reasons that he is unable to meet the wishes of the Faithful, he should turn to the Diocesan bishop. The right of the Faithful in this matter (Summorum Pontificum Article 7) remains unaffected.  [First, this mentions the "right" of the faithful.  That is interesting.  Second, I am not sure that the parish priest doesn’t have some sort of obligation to help people who make petitions.  He might not be able to respond personally, but should take steps to find a priest, time, resources, etc.  If he can’t, then the bishop is on the spot.  Let’s see what Art. 7 says: "Episcopus enixe rogatur ut eorum optatum exaudiat… The Bishop is strenuously asked that he graciously grant their desire." This looks like a pretty serious point.  It is even stronger language than that used for how the parish priest should react to petitions.  The point is that people have a right to the older form and clergy have some sort of obligation to respond.]

    8. The Calendar and order of readings of the Missale Romanum 1962 should be used for the celebration of Mass in the extraordinary form 1962. Attention should be given to the already announced extensions after a period of time of the Calender through the Ecclesia Dei Commission.  [This seems to be saying that while the old calendar is to be followed, there can be some room for adjustments.]

    For the reading of the readings in the vernacular (see Summorum Pontificum Article 6) the Perikopes are to be extracted from the recognised lectionary of the Missal for the Dioceses of the German speaking areas of 1988.  [!  A post-Conciliar book.  Apparently you look up the readings in the index.] Alternatively, the Schott of 1962 can be used.  [Surely that is what they will choose.]

    [CORRECTED TRANSLATION] 9. The German Diocesan Bishops will make no use of their right to erect personal parishes for the extraordinary form of the roman Rite for the time being. (Summorum Pontificum Article 10)  [THIS IS VERY BAD!]

    10. As the basis the report envisaged after three years over the experiences with the regulations of the Motu Proprio (see Accompanying Letter of Pope Benedict XVI.) the Parish Priest and/or the Rector, if he gives permission [Right… it is the pastor who does this.  Though this includes also rector.  That is interesting.] for the Mass celebration in the extraordinary form in his Parish and/or Church must make a report to the Diocesan Bishop. Parish Priests and Rectors, in whose Parishes and/or Churches Mass celebrations in the extraordinary form take place, must inform the Diocesan Bishops on a continuous basis about any development.  [I guess that is reasonable.]

The only real problem here that I see is how they think they will control which parish people go to or participate in.

I am also disappointed to see that they are not considering "personal parishes".  Let’s hope some of the German bishops won’t stick to this.