On July 16, Pope Francis issued “Traditionis custodes,” a Motu proprio “on the use of the Roman liturgy prior to the reform of 1970.” The Motu proprio gives a bishop the “exclusive competence to authorize the use of the 1962 Roman Missal in his diocese.”
Bishop Walkowiak will take time to study the Motu proprio (and its accompanying letter) and to carry out the process of local discernment it prescribes. Until such time as that discernment is completed and local norms are issued, priests in the Diocese of Grand Rapids are granted permission to celebrate Mass with the 1962 Roman Missal provided that plans to celebrate Mass in that form had been set before the issuance of today’s Motu proprio.
Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, issued the following statement (Leer en español) in response to the Motu proprio:
“Today Pope Francis published Traditionis custodes, an Apostolic Letter issued motu proprio on the use of Latin liturgical texts approved prior to the reform of 1970. I welcome the Holy Father’s desire to foster unity among Catholics who celebrate the Roman Rite.
“As these new norms are implemented, I encourage my brother bishops to work with care, patience, justice, and charity as together we foster a Eucharistic renewal in our nation.”
“New norms regarding use of 1962 Roman Missal: Bishops given greater responsibility” (Vatican News)
