Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum of Benedict XVI — Letter to the Bishops

Twenty-one years after my first exposure to the Archbishop...I never throught I'd live to see this day.

Below are some highlights from its introductory letter. Note the text of the motu proprio itself is available in an English translation at Rorate Coeli. Of course, you can always get the Latin version, too.

• "The present Norms are also meant to free Bishops from constantly having to evaluate anew how they are to respond to various situations."
  
  
• "Should some problem arise which the parish priest cannot resolve, the local Ordinary will always be able to intervene, in full harmony, however, with all that has been laid down by the new norms of the Motu Proprio."
  
  
• "As for the use of the 1962 Missal as a Forma extraordinaria of the liturgy of the Mass, I would like to draw attention to the fact that this Missal was never juridically abrogated and, consequently, in principle, was always permitted."
  
  
• "What earlier generations held as sacred, remains sacred and great for us too, and it cannot be all of a sudden entirely forbidden or even considered harmful. It behooves all of us to preserve the riches which have developed in the Church’s faith and prayer, and to give them their proper place."
  
  
• "Let us always be mindful of the words of the Apostle Paul addressed to the presbyters of Ephesus: "Take heed to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, to care for the Church of God which he obtained with the blood of his own Son" (Acts 20:28)."

What's equally as interesting, and will hopefully be read by those same brother bishops this letter is aimed at, are the lines immediately following that selection from Acts:

"I know that, after my departure, ravening wolves will enter in among you, not sparing the flock. And of your own selves shall arise men speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them. 31 Therefore watch, keeping in memory, that for three years I ceased not, with tears to admonish every one of you night and day. And now I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, who is able to build up, and to give an inheritance among all the sanctified." — Acts 20:29 - 32

I guess some things really are better left unsaid.

And lastly, I'm reminded of another message, this one, given to the church at Ephesus:

"1 Unto the angel of the church of Ephesus write: These things saith he, who holdeth the seven stars in his right hand, who walketh in the midst of the seven golden candlesticks: 2 I know thy works, and thy labour, and thy patience, and how thou canst not bear them that are evil, and thou hast tried them, who say they are apostles, and are not, and hast found them liars: 3 And thou hast patience, and hast endured for my name, and hast not fainted. 4 But I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first charity. 5 Be mindful therefore from whence thou art fallen: and do penance, and do the first works. Or else I come to thee, and will move thy candlestick out of its place, except thou do penance."

Coincidence? If it is, it is most certainly a happy one.