Folia Theologica 20. (2009)
Caban Peter: Features and new impulses of the Pope Benedict XVI in the area of liturgy
48 CABAN, Peter 3. Motu Proprio Summorum pontificum Important milestone in the field of the liturgy for the Pope is motu proprio Summorum pontificum issued at Rome on July 7lh, 2007 regarding the celebration of liturgy according to the Missal of blessed John XXIII.12 Despite the fact that this motu proprio is related to liturgy and liturgical affairs, it is not a liturgical but legal precept of the Roman high priest.13 Let us notice some important aspects of this motu proprio. "The best way for appropriate understanding of the importance of the new document is reading of the papal letter which accompanies the document," said the spokesperson of the Holy See Frederico Lombardi. The accompanying letter14 was addressed by Benedict XVI to the bishops of the whole world to clarify his motives and remove unsubstantiated fears from Latin liturgy. He emphasizes that his document is "the fruit of much reflection, numerous consultations and prayer." He does not conceal that there have been very divergent reactions ranging from joyful acceptance to harsh opposition, about a plan whose contents were in reality unknown. Before clarifying his intention the Pope decided to remove two main fears which he considers unfounded. In the first place, there is the fear that the document detracts from the authority of the Second Vatican Council and in the second place, the fear was expressed in discussions about the awaited Motu Proprio, that the possibility of a wider use of the 1962 Missal of blessed John XXIII would lead to disarray or even divisions within parish communities.15 12 This motu proprio came into force in the Fests of the Exultation of the Holy Cross on September 14,h, 2007. 13 DUDA, J., Komentdr k motu proprio Summorum pontificum, in Tribunal nr. 2/2007, http://tribunal.kapitula.sk/2007-2/komentar.htm March 14th 2008. 14 Motu proprio was written in Latin, the accompanying letter was written in Italian. 15 The theme of the Latin rite in the Catholic Church was discussed by the Cardinal Castrillon Hoyos at the conference in Aparecide in May 2007. He is the chairperson of the Vatican commission Ecclesia Dei which takes care of the Traditionalist faithful. He explained the Catholic Church does not concentrate on known schismatic situations and "it wants to maintain the previous Latin liturgy alive in the celebration of the Eucharist as well as administration of the sacraments." The commission should become an independent organ of the Holy See with its own specific goal to maintain the value of the traditional Latin liturgy. He emphasized that it is not the return
