I am very touched by the fact our holy father Pope Benedict XVI is a man of great charity and compassion. It is through the context of his first encyclical, "God is Love," that I see him reaching out with his latest motu propio, "Summorum pontificium," to ensure the unity of the church, especially in the celebration of its sacraments and in particular the Eucharist which is the source and summit of our unity. This permission to use the Tridentine Rite of 1962 is yet another expression of the holy father’s desire to allow all of the faithful to participate in the celebration of the Eucharist. I am grateful to the Holy Father for his pastoral concern and the emphasis to the unity and charity of the Body of Christ. I take note that Pope Benedict has outlined very precisely and carefully the nature of this permission and how it is to be implemented. I find his directives to be very helpful. The great grace of the Eucharist is that we come into the presence of almighty God who is truly present in substance in the eucharistic meal. Our God is so loving and so of us that he wants to be present to us in the great celebration of the Eucharist. The permission given in the motu propio allows the use of a very sacred ritual that is yet another pathway to approach that great mystery. + Bishop John C. Wester Diocese of Salt Lake City
Stay Connected With Us