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Pope allows Latin Mass tradition Pope ends Latin Mass restriction
(about 2 hours later)
Pope Benedict XVI has removed restrictions on celebrating the Latin Tridentine Mass, despite concern from Jewish groups. Pope Benedict has lifted restrictions on celebrating the Latin Tridentine Mass, pleasing some traditionalists.
The Latin Mass was largely abandoned by the Church in the 1960s, after the Second Vatican Council reforms. The Latin Mass was largely abandoned in the 1960s, as part of reforms to make Catholicism more relevant to its worldwide congregation.
Traditionalists had wanted the return of the Mass, but Jewish groups are upset over a prayer in a version of the Mass calling for Jews' conversion. Traditionalists wanted to bring the Mass back, though some Jewish groups opposed it because of a prayer calling for their conversion.
The Pope denied claims the reversal could cause a schism in the Church.The Pope denied claims the reversal could cause a schism in the Church.
Rift-healingRift-healing
The late Pope John Paul II partially relaxed the prohibition in the 1980s, allowing bishops discretionary powers for priests to celebrate Mass in Latin if members of the congregation asked for it. The late Pope John Paul II partially relaxed the prohibition in the 1980s, allowing bishops discretionary powers to let priests celebrate Mass in Latin if members of the congregation asked for it.
BBC Religion and Ethics: Tridentine MassBBC Religion and Ethics: Tridentine Mass
The Pope wanted to heal a rift with ultra-traditionalists who rebelled against Second Vatican Council changes towards an understanding of non-Christian religions. The Pope wanted to heal a rift with ultra-traditionalists who rebelled against Second Vatican Council changes.
One version of the prayer, celebrated at Easter, reads: "Let us pray also for the Jews, that the Lord our God may take the veil from their hearts and that they also may acknowledge our Lord Jesus Christ."
The Church believes the majority of its congregation will continue to hear Mass in their local languages.The Church believes the majority of its congregation will continue to hear Mass in their local languages.
Catholic commentator John L Allen told the BBC in April he did not believe there would be much call for the Mass - and 40 years after the Second Vatican Council, there would be few priests able to read it.Catholic commentator John L Allen told the BBC in April he did not believe there would be much call for the Mass - and 40 years after the Second Vatican Council, there would be few priests able to read it.