ANOTHER VERY POSITIVE TAKE ON THE MOTU PROPRIO

...comes from Bishop William E. Lori of Bridgeport, CT.

Some excerpts:

"The first of Pope Benedict's documents on this subject is an Apostolic Letter entitled Summorum Pontificum and given Motu Proprio, which means it sets down provisions or norms by the Holy Father's own proper authority. That said, the Holy Father spent a good deal of time in prayer, reflection, and consultation with bishops and experts before he issued these new norms."

"Various other pastoral concerns have been voiced. Some have wondered aloud whether this undercuts the authority of the local bishop to regulate the liturgy. I truly do not believe that it does. The role of the local bishop is not to "invent" the liturgy but rather to ensure that it be faithfully and prayerfully celebrated in accord with the teaching and discipline of the Church. Echoing the thought of Saint Paul, we bishops, together with our priests, are "stewards" of the liturgy, not its owners."

"An ancient adage tells us that "the law of praying is the law of believing." (Ah yes, "Lex Orandi, Lex Credendi") This means, among other things, that the liturgy is to reflect in beauty and simplicity the faith of the Church. The first job of a bishop is to teach the faith - primarily through the preaching and instruction which he delivers or that which is delivered on his behalf by pastors and parish priests. For the vast majority of Catholics, however, this occurs within the liturgy. The Holy Father has provided the bishops of the world with an opportunity to teach about the nature and role of the liturgy in the lives of all the faithful."

I especially love the line "...we bishops, together with our priests, are "stewards" of the liturgy, not its owners."

Check out Father Z's analysis. Far better and far more eloquent than I possibly could write, IMO.

Peace,
BMP