Statement on the post-synodal apostolic exhortation Sacramentum Caritatis

The post-synodal apostolic exhortation Sacramentum Caritatis, is a document concerning the Bishops’ Synod about the Eucharist in 2005. During this Synod the Traditional Roman Rite was not a topic of conversation. Therefore the International Federation Una Voce, which is a movement dealing with the traditional Roman Rite, did not expect any comment on the traditional Rite in this document. A document on the traditional Roman Rite can still be expected as a motu proprio from our Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI, releasing the restrictions on the traditional Roman Rite for the good of the whole Church.
Because of the books and articles written by our Holy Father and regarding the Holy Liturgy, one could expect some aspects of the reform of the reform in this document, but above all this document concerns the conclusions of the Bishop’s Synod.

As expected today, this document is a reflection on the Holy Liturgy generally and re-affirms traditional teachings, ethos and devotions etc. on the Holy Liturgy as the centre of the life of the whole Church. It reminds us what Sacrosanctum Concilium said on topics such as Gregorian Chant (42), the use of Latin as the liturgical language of the Roman Rite (62), the vertical dimension in the liturgy as well as the concept of “participatio actuosa” (52). With respect of these and some other aspects the document recognizes very diplomatically also some “problems” and “shadows” regarding the celebration of the Novus Ordo Missae.
Concerning the reform of the reform, the last paragraph of (3) with footnote [6], mentioning that the “changes which the Council called for need to be understood within the overall unity of the historical development of the rite itself, without the introduction of artificial discontinuities” seems to be important. We will wait to see how this will be worked out in future.
As already mentioned we are waiting for another document, which is of great importance for the good of the whole Church. It cannot be expected that nearly 20 years after the motu proprio “Ecclesia Dei” the bishops will reconsider and become obedient to the will of the Council Fathers (SC4), Pope John Paul II, and our current Pope Benedict XVI. Therefore, according Archbishop Ranjith’s recent statement, this document can be expected shortly.

ir. J.P. Oostveen, President of the International Federation Una Voce.
Delft, The Netherlands
March 19th, 2007