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following is the text of a Circular Letter sent on 3 October 1984 by the
Congregation for Divine Worship to the Presidents of Episcopal
Conferences.
Most Rev. Excellency:
Four years ago, by order of the Supreme Pontiff John Paul II, the
bishops of the whole Church were invited to present a report:
—concerning the way in. which the priests and faithful of their
dioceses had received the Missal promulgated in 1970 by authority of
Pope Paul VI in accordance with the decisions of the Second Vatican
Council
—concerning the difficulties arising in the implementation of the
liturgical reform;
—concerning possible resistance that may have arisen.
The result of the consultation was sent to all the bishops (cf.
Notitiae, n. 185 December 1981). On the basis of their replies it
appeared that the problem of priests and faithful holding to the
so-called "Tridentine" rite was almost completely solved.
Since, however, the same problem continues, the Supreme Pontiff, in a
desire to meet the wishes of these groups grants to diocesan bishops the
possibility of using an indult whereby priests and faithful, who shall
be expressly indicated in the letter of request to be presented to their
own bishop, may be able to celebrate Mass by using the Roman Missal
according to the 1962 edition, but under the following conditions:
a) That it be made publicly clear beyond all ambiguity that such
priests and their respective faithful in no way share the positions of
those who call in question the legitimacy and doctrinal exactitude of
the Roman Missal promulgated by Pope Paul VI in 1970.
b) Such celebration must be made only for the benefit of those groups
that request it; in churches and oratories indicated by the bishop (not,
however, in parish churches, unless the bishop permits it in
extraordinary cases); and on the days and under the conditions fixed by
the bishop either habitually or in individual cases.
c) These celebrations must be according to the 1962 Missal and in
Latin.
d) There must be no interchanging of texts and rites of the two
Missals.
e) Each bishop must inform this Congregation of the concessions
granted by him, and at the end of a year from the granting of this
indult, he must report on the result of its application.
This concession, indicative of the common Father's solicitude for all
his children, must be used in such a way as not to prejudice the
faithful observance of the liturgical reform in the life of the
respective ecclesial communities.
I am pleased to avail myself of this occasion to express to Your
Excellency my sentiments of deep esteem.
Yours devotedly in the Lord
Augustin Mayer, Pro-Prefect
Virgilio Noe Secretary
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