Madam, - Pope-watchers will know that the easing of restrictions on the Latin Mass is a result of vigorous lobbying by those who found the post-Vatican II distasteful. More power to their collective elbow.
Nobody should deny them a valid rite of the Eucharist, nor should we see this as a weakening of the pontifical will. It shows that this Pope will listen if sufficient noise is made to attract his attention.
I live in hope that this change will encourage those who favour the ordination of married priests to regroup and launch a fresh and sustained campaign, loud enough to draw widespread support and the listening ear of Benedict XVI. We do need those guys back in our churches. - Yours, etc,
KEVIN HEALY, Hampstead Avenue, Glasnevin, Dublin 9.
Madam, - As a young teacher, a 23-year-old, I love the Latin rite, as do many of my contemporaries. The traditional liturgy instills a sense of reverence and an appreciation for authentically Catholic devotion. It is the originality and intrinsic Catholicity of the old rite which the younger generation finds so appealing.
In an old-rite Mass the priest and people together face towards Our Lord on the altar and in the tabernacle. The words of the Mass are in Latin, a language not limited to any one country or culture, but uniting all people in the universality of the Church's ancient liturgy.
The fundamental impetus for the Motu Proprio is contained in the following quotation from the Pope's document: "The Latin liturgy of the Church in its various forms, in each century of the Christian era, has been a spur to the spiritual life of many saints, has reinforced many peoples in the virtue of religion and fecundated their piety."
The rite is so uncompromisingly Catholic that it develops a profound sense of Catholic belonging and identity in the congregation. A strong promulgation of the Latin liturgy may help the frozen aspirations for the religious life held by many to return to life. - Is mise,
MARY O'REGAN, Firgrove Drive, Bishopstown, Cork.