publicly the urgent world-wide requests for the restoration of Latin Mass and Gregorian Chants.
But the statement that such change would be a reversal of Vatican Council policy is misleading. It is the malpractices to which we have been subjected under the guise of liturgical
in reform that must be reversed, not the true policy as set out the Constitution on the Sacreo Liturgy.
That document clearly intended ihai the Latin Mass should still be regarded as the normal rite. but that some use of the vernacular would be permitted, with great caution.
Thus Art. 36 says: "Though existing special exemptions are to remain in force, the use of the Latin language is to be preserved in the Latin Rites. But since the use of the mother tongue is frequently of great advantage... The limits of its employment
may be extended . . to the readings and directives and to some of the prayers and 'chants . . .
So much of the Church's trouble has been caused by the injustice arid folly of brushing aside Art.4 "In faithful obedience to tradition . .. holy Mother Church holds all lawfully acknowledged rites to be bf equal right and dignity . . she wishes to preserve them in the future and to foster them in every way."
When that document was issued in 1963, the normal and best known "lawfully acknowledged rite" throughout Europe and most of the Catholic world was the traditional Latin Rite of St. Pius V. often referred to loosely as the "Tridentine Rite".
Alfred J. Howell 63 High Street, Bewdley, Worcestershire