Saturday, October 5, 2013

Popes Francis and Benedict in Latin Mass Clash; Benedict: Francis Hurt Summorum Pontificum

Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI allegedly feels that his "Summorum Pontificum" decree has been "wounded" by Pope Francis' decision to restrict the Latin Mass -- which Benedict's 2007 apostolic letter had explicitly allowed -- the WWRN (Worldwide Religion News) website reports today (October 5, 2013), in what appears to be the first important discord between the two popes.

Italian journalist Sandro Magister reported that in "conversations with his visitors," Benedict has revealed his private opinion of the Francis-initiated limitation.

Rorate Caeli reported on the "explosive revelation" -- which came to light in Magister's analysis of the Francis pontificate to date -- agreeing that Francis' restriction does indeed undermine the authority of the Summorum Pontificum itself.

Francis came under fire from Catholic traditionalists over the summer for "abrogating the Summorum," but the Vatican responded with a statement that refuted claims that his decision undermined Benedict's initial letter. Vatican spokesman Fr. Federico Lombardi said to the National Catholic Reporter that Francis' orders "do not intend to contradict the general instructions" of Benedict, but respond "to specific problems and tensions created in that congregation regarding the rite for the celebration of Mass."

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