Changes in Disciplines

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Disciplines are not doctrines so I would assume that at least theoretically changing a discipline should be a simple matter.
What is the process for changing a discipline?
Can the Pope alone decide to change a discipline or does he need the agreement of a body of cardinals or whoever?
 
Yes, the Pope can change a discipline without the consent of the Cardinals and other Bishops. Its called, “Moto Proprio”.
 
Yes, the Pope can change a discipline without the consent of the Cardinals and other Bishops. Its called, “Moto Proprio”.
That being the case, if its true what many forum members say about the Pope not liking, for example, receiving Communion in the hand, holding hands for the Our Father among others then why doesn’t he simply issue a Moto Proprio to reception on the tongue only, and no holding hands during the Our Father? I realise the Pope is a busy person but it doesn’t sound like it would take more than a few hours to write a letter. It could even be drafted by an assistant and finalised by the Pope then issued.
 
That being the case, if its true what many forum members say about the Pope not liking, for example, receiving Communion in the hand, holding hands for the Our Father among others then why doesn’t he simply issue a Moto Proprio to reception on the tongue only, and no holding hands during the Our Father? I realise the Pope is a busy person but it doesn’t sound like it would take more than a few hours to write a letter. It could even be drafted by an assistant and finalised by the Pope then issued.
Studying the last 50 years of Church History before converting has taught me one thing: there seems to be a bit of trepidation (in the higher echelons) about defining such matters. A certain fear appears to have settled, a fear of being seen as against the "Spirit of Vatican II’. Our generations have been incredibly headstrong and disobedient in the sight of God for all history, so what makes you think we would be any more loyal to the Holy Father, especially since that ruinous decade, the 1960’s?

Since Vatican II’s real instruction on the Holy Mass has been ignored by many parishes and dioceses (re. Sacrosanctum Concilium 36:1-2), I think popes have sort of given up hope that anyone would listen to them on certain matters. Such instructions on ideas like: Communion in the Proper Manner, the right recitation of the Lord’s Prayer, and the use of the Orans, are all pretty much ignored by the laity. I believe it was either the current Pope or his immediate predecessor who, upon seeing a prominent lady go up for Communion with hands outstretched, gently pushed Christ toward her mouth. We know the preferences our Holy Father has for right worship, ad orientem, priests-only use of the Orans, and lack of sentimentality during Our Father, and no one listens. Our generations have a profound lack of respect for authority and Those Who Came Before, as it were.
 
That being the case, if its true what many forum members say about the Pope not liking, for example, receiving Communion in the hand, holding hands for the Our Father among others then why doesn’t he simply issue a Moto Proprio to reception on the tongue only, and no holding hands during the Our Father? I realise the Pope is a busy person but it doesn’t sound like it would take more than a few hours to write a letter. It could even be drafted by an assistant and finalised by the Pope then issued.
The pope can change the rule (in this case he can revoke the indult for communion in hand) but cannot force the obedience to the rule.

In the old old times there was the Inquisition, which enforced the rules, now we (and our Pope too) sees that this is not the best way, what Christ wants from us. The only other way is prayer, fasting and time.
 
The pope can change the rule (in this case he can revoke the indult for communion in hand) but cannot force the obedience to the rule.

In the old old times there was the Inquisition, which enforced the rules, now we (and our Pope too) sees that this is not the best way, what Christ wants from us. The only other way is prayer, fasting and time.
Why doesn’t he at least change the rules now regarding how to receive Communion and also no hand holding during the Our Father? He can certainly insist the Moto Proprio is read out in all parishes worldwide. He can insist all priests adhere to the changes.
Prayer, fasting and time is all very well but why wait to change the rules. Why not change the rules now and continue with prayer, fasting and time?
 
Prayer, fasting and time is all very well but why wait to change the rules. Why not change the rules now and continue with prayer, fasting and time?
This has turned out to be more complicated than it was worth. When Paul VI removed the pain of mortal sin on eating meat on Friday, he did not simply “allow it.” He appealed to our higher spiritualities to perform the required penance per divine law. One can make the same case with the other relaxed rules as well. In my opinion, there is no way, today’s Church will condemn any practices, such as prayer, fasting, meat abstinence, CITH (or lack thereof) as being grounds for grave sin. We can be given guidelines and examples, and hopefully they will work for the betterment of the Catholic faith, but we as Catholics should have learned or should be learning what’s best in attaining the highest spirituality levels for ourselves.
 
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