on the expected 1962 Missal indult

Playing off Gavin’s article, I’d like to weigh in a bit.

The general assumption is, I think, that the 1962 Missal (I do agree with those who object to the term “Tridentine”) will be granted open permission for use by any priest who so desires. If that happens, a hands-off universal indult (effectively eschewing the “indult” part, since an indult is, by definition, an exception to a general rule), I don’t expect we will see much change.

The big question is this: why, if there are priests willing/eager to offer Mass under the old form, aren’t there more parishes offering Mass partly, or entirely, in Latin with the 1975/2002 Missal? There is already universal permission to offer Mass in this form, so why wouldn’t clerical advocates of the old Mass be taking more steps in this direction?

I speak, incidentally, largely of three things: the direction of the priest, use of Latin, and the music used.

It seems to me this is largely a gesture of good faith to the SSPX. It will have little pragmatic effect at the parish level.

There is, however, another angle: the Pope may actually encourage seminarians and priests to learn both, and parishes to offer both. I would think this not at all unlikely, since B16 isn’t stupid, and clearly he wants the old Mass to be more familiar to more people to encourage “re-reform”. And if that happens, I would expect a substantial presence of the old Mass, but only eventually. There may be a mandate for every RR priest to learn Latin (as I believe was the case only decades ago).

Will that encouragement come? I dunno. The French bishops aren’t stupid, either, and they wouldn’t be protesting unless they felt they’ve got a good chance of having some influence. They may persuade the Pope just to say, “well, there it is - use at your own risk”, rather than, “you should all become familiar with this”.