Friday, July 20, 2007

Cardinal Egan (NY) on the Motu Proprio



His Eminence, Cardinal Edward M Eagan, Archbishop of New York, has published in the local Catholic newspaper a brief but interesting explanation of the recent "motu proprio" of Pope Benedict XVI concerning the use of the Latin liturgy.

You may find it interesting and a clear presentation of the contents of the document ... which really is not that confusing.

What is interesting and which may have brought the Cardinal during these last years of his service in NYC is how already, so it seems, individuals are interpreting what the "motu" states according to the like or dislike of Latin or the perceived awe or mystery of the Latin.

An interesting question about all of this: if congregations understand the Latin, then it would seem sensible to have a Latin Mass. On the other hand, if the congregation has to read a translation along side the Latin, what is value in celebrating Mass that is not understood unless it is translated into the vernacular? As our neighbor minister across the Potomac is want to say on his radio "religious service announcements": Not a sermon, just a thought!