Much of the information below has been superseded by Universae Ecclesiae, the Instruction clarifying the application of Summorum Pontificum, issued on 13 May 2011. We leave the information up for the moment as it may be of interest. What it shows beyond a doubt is that interpretations of the Motu Proprio by those loyal to the Traditional Mass proved to be vindicated by the Holy See.
Since the the Holy Father issued his motu proprio Summorum Pontificum on 7 July 2007 (coming into force on 14 September 2007), there have been several attempts to impede its application by bishops, clergy and others. Apart from simply refusing to 'allow' the Traditional Latin Mass in their dioceses or parishes, often because of ideological objections, there have also been attempts to block the progress of the Traditional Mass by attempting to sabotage celebrations by the introduction of illicit or unlawful elements, such as communion in the hand, female altar servers, readings according to the new calendar, or by refusing to schedule masses at reasonable times, even where this is possible.
Various congregations and dicasteries of the Holy See have issued responses to many of these. We thought it would be a useful resource to gather together these responses in one place for you to read for yourselves. They are given below.
In each case there is a link to a blog or website that announces the Vatican's response, often with copies of the relevant letter from the Vatican itself. This list makes no claim to be exhaustive and, in time, new announcements from Rome will clarify further or strengthen the pronouncements shown here.
The Right of Seminarians to be Educated in the Extraordinary Form
Summorum Pontificum Also Applies to the Ambrosian Rite
Girl Altar Servers Girl Altar Servers again The report also refers to extraordinary ministers of Holy Communion and lay readers.
Readings, calendar, prefaces and scheduling of Mass Readings, calendar, prefaces and scheduling of Mass again