Do parish priests have the right to say the Novus Ordo Mass in Latin?

[Lepanto]

Do all Latin Rite parish priests have the canonical or liturgical “right” to say the Novus Ordo Mass in Latin?

(If so, I realize that the bishop may frown upon and harass such a priest, but that’s a separate issue.)

If you believe that a priest does have such a right, please cite your sources.

Thank you!

 

[wynd]

Yes.

From Redemptionis Sacramentum:

1. Mass is celebrated either in Latin or in another language, provided that liturgical texts are used which have been approved according to the norm of law. Except in the case of celebrations of the Mass that are scheduled by the ecclesiastical authorities to take place in the language of the people, Priests are always and everywhere permitted to celebrate Mass in Latin.

 

[rtconstant]

I’ve wondered that too, thanks for clearing it up lepanto.

Actually I preferr the Latin version of the NO, it’s more strait forward, easier to learn (IMO) and has less changeable parts. I’d love to go to a Latin NO but I’m not sure how many other Catholics would agree.

 

[kangnamdragon]

It is my understanding that Latin is the ordinary language of Mass and the vernacular is not ordinary. I heard that all masses in Rome are in Latin now.

 

[rtconstant]

Another question then. In the line that states:

Except in the case of celebrations of the Mass that are scheduled by the ecclesiastical authorities to take place in the language of the people

Does this mean that a bishop could simply say that all masses scheduled to be in the vernacular? Would that be a legitimate use of authority? I’m just curious.

 

[Digitonomy]

Does this mean that a bishop could simply say that all masses scheduled to be in the vernacular? Would that be a legitimate use of authority? I’m just curious.

It certainly sounds that way to me - a rather big loophole. However, if a priest decided to add a Latin mass over and above the current vernacular mass schedule at a parish, there would be a much stronger case against his bishop interfering. Although I could still imagine a situation where the bishop could determine that overcrowding at other masses requires a vernacular mass at precisely the time of day that this new Latin mass has been going on.

 

[Corki]

Do all Latin Rite parish priests have the canonical or liturgical “right” to say the Novus Ordo Mass in Latin?

(If so, I realize that the bishop may frown upon and harass such a priest, but that’s a separate issue.)

If you believe that a priest does have such a right, please cite your sources.

Thank you!

I believe that priests have the right to say at least parts of the Mass in Latin any time they choose. Our own parish does “Latin for Lent” with several of the common prayers in Latin.

That being said, our former Bishop went so far as to include in one of his columns in the diocesan newspaper that he had only given permission for one Latin NO Mass in the diocese.

The big difference, IMHO, is that the priest must request permission to say an indult Mass and not proceed until such permission is granted while a priest who decides to say a NO Mass in Latin isn’t doing anything wrong unless and until the Bishop specifically tells him he can’t.

 

[Brendan]

a priest who decides to say a NO Mass in Latin isn’t doing anything wrong unless and until the Bishop specifically tells him he can’t.

And there is the big question on if the bishop has the authority to neny the Latin NO Mass.

It IS the normative Mass of the Roman Church, the vernacular Mass itself is an indult.

 

[Corki]

And there is the big question on if the bishop has the authority to neny the Latin NO Mass.

It IS the normative Mass of the Roman Church, the vernacular Mass itself is an indult.

Yes, I understand and agree with you but the priest takes a vow of obedience to the Bishop. As long as the Bishop isn’t ordering him to do something illegal or immoral or against Canon law, I think the priest should obey. There are many saintly examples of this.

 

[m134e5]

Do all Latin Rite parish priests have the canonical or liturgical “right” to say the Novus Ordo Mass in Latin?

(If so, I realize that the bishop may frown upon and harass such a priest, but that’s a separate issue.)

If you believe that a priest does have such a right, please cite your sources.

All priests may celebrate the Novus Ordo in Latin. I don’t know where the source is- sorry (and I’m on a slow computer and can’t search for it). There is a Latin Novus Ordo in my town, and it is celebrated by a priest who would never, ever do anything on purpose that was forbidden- and the bishop would not be as happy with the parish as he is if they were breaking the rules there.

In certain dioceses, it would be best for a priest who does this to keep quiet, or he may find himself with an insignificant desk job in the chancery.

 

[Chatter163]

It is my understanding that Latin is the ordinary language of Mass and the vernacular is not ordinary. I heard that all masses in Rome are in Latin now.

While Masses at the Roman basilicas have always included Latin, there are still plenty of Italian Masses being celebrated throughout the city.

 

[Brendan]

Yes, I understand and agree with you but the priest takes a vow of obedience to the Bishop. As long as the Bishop isn’t ordering him to do something illegal or immoral or against Canon law, I think the priest should obey. There are many saintly examples of this.

The priest would also have a responsibility to point out to his bishop the current decisions from the Vatican on this topic, so the Bishop may make a more informed decision on a proper course of action.

If the bishop chosen not to follow the current instructions from the Vatican.

And then, under Canon Law, the priest would have the right to appeal this decision to the Vatican and let the Vatican make the determination.

At that point, the priest may then follow the Vatican’s decision without hiderance and the bishop could object only under pain of disobedience.

 

[Sarabande]

At my cathedral, we do a Latin Novus Ordo mass every 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month. I like it and is permitted by our archbishop. Although we are keeping our fingers crossed that a Tridentine Rite Latin mass may be allowed, as the two churches where they permit the Trid rite are hard to get to. A recently ordained priest received permission to perform the Tridentine Rite for his first mass at the Cathedral, but he had to be quiet about it and not “advertise” so to speak. I didn’t have a chance to attend, but people I did know who attended said there were close to 1500 people there. The Cathedral was packed.