“Now therefore, in order that all everywhere may adopt and observe what has been delivered to them by the Holy Roman Church, Mother and Mistress of the other churches, it shall be unlawful henceforth and forever throughout the Christian world to sing or to read Masses according to any formula other than that of this Missal published by Us… no one whosoever is permitted to infringe or rashly contravene this notice of Our permission, statute, ordinance, command, direction, grant, indult, declaration, will, decree and prohibition. Should any person venture to do so, let him understand that he will incur the wrath of Almighty God and of the blessed Apostles Peter and Paul.”
Following the principal of “lex orandi, lex credendi” the “law of prayer affects the law of belief”, would this not be a matter of Faith?
Hi,
If this is not a matter concerning faith and morals, but only religious practice, then it fails to meet the criteria defined in the First Vatican Council for the Pope’s infallible magisterium. If the Pope does not in some way invoke his supreme Apostolic authority, then it also fails. If the Pope does not bind this upon the universal Church, then it also fails. If the Pope does not give this from his office of shepherd and teacher of all Christians, then it also fails to meet the criteria.
Since at least three of the criteria are not met in Quo Primum (by virtue of his supreme Apostolic authority; he defines a doctrine concerning faith and morals; to be held by the whole Church) the statement can’t possible be ex Cathedra. If you read the document carefully, the Pope never barrs the use of traditional orders of the Mass with a history of 200 years practice or more, nor does he bind the eastern rites to this Order. Also, he specifically states that his Constitution shall have the “force of law in perpetuity.” That is, it is a Church Law, which unless a future Pope shall supercede in some way, remains in perpetuity.
In matters of Church Law, one Pope binds another like a single man who decides to hold his hands together. The hands only remain together for as long as the man wills it. When he decides to let his hands go, he is no longer binding himself. That’s not the same for his subjects, however, we are bound until he tells us that we are no longer bound.
However, my concern would be what is given us by the Council of Trent, Session 22, concerning the Mass of Pope St. Pius V:
And whereas it beseemeth, that holy things be administered in a holy manner, and of all holy things this sacrifice is the most holy; to the end that it might be worthily and reverently offered and received, the Catholic Church instituted, many years ago, the sacred Canon, so pure from every error, that nothing is contained therein which does not in the highest degree savour of a certain holiness and piety, and raise up unto God the minds of those that offer. For it is composed, out of the very words of the Lord, the traditions of the Apostles, and the pious institutions also of Holy Pontiffs.
I would say it’d be a pretty tall order, in some way, to “out-do” the sacred Canon which is pure from every error and contains nothing “which does not in the highest degree savour of a certain holiness and piety,” by that which is new and untested.
Also, the “lex orandi, lex credendi,” (the law of prayer, [is] the law of belief) statement, to my knowledge, is in reference to a personal law or checkpoint at which the individual “checks” himself for orthodoxy; he “checks” how he believes BY how he prays.
That’s merely my two cents, though.
– Nicole
