Traditionis Custodes

1. Art. 1The liturgical books of Saint Paul VI and Saint John Paul II are the only expression of the Roman Rite’s lex orandi that the text recognizes as such.
2. Art. 2Using the 1962 Missal in a diocese is the bishop’s decision, following the guidelines of the Apostolic See.
3. Art. 3 §§ 1–5For groups that already use the 1962 Missal, the bishop must make sure they accept the validity and legitimacy of the reform, designate places for Mass outside the parish churches, appoint a priest as delegate, and review the parishes set up for them.
4. Art. 3 § 6Bishops are to make sure that no new groups are set up.
5. Art. 4A priest ordained after the motu proprio who wants to use the 1962 Missal must make a formal request to the bishop, who consults the Apostolic See before deciding.
6. Art. 5A priest who already celebrates with the 1962 Missal must ask the bishop for authorization to continue.

It sets aside the 2007 Summorum Pontificum where the two conflict. Under Summorum Pontificum, a priest could celebrate the 1962 Missal “in Masses celebrated without a congregation” without permission from the bishop or the Apostolic See. Under this text that permission belongs to the bishop, and Article 8 abrogates earlier norms, permissions and customs that do not conform to it.

• What people say: The 1962 Missal has been abolished.

  What the text says: The text does not abolish it. It gives the bishop “exclusive competence to authorize” its use in his diocese, and it sets conditions for existing groups. Art. 2, Art. 3

• What people say: Every group that uses the older Mass must close at once.

  What the text says: The text sets no closing date. It asks each bishop to review the groups and their parishes, and to decide which to keep. Art. 3 § 5

• What people say: Priests who already celebrate the 1962 Missal lost their permission automatically.

  What the text says: The text asks them to request authorization from the bishop to continue. It does not state what follows if they do not. Art. 5

• “The liturgical books promulgated by Saint Paul VI and Saint John Paul II, in conformity with the decrees of Vatican Council II, are the unique expression of the lex orandi of the Roman Rite.”

  Art. 1

• “It is his exclusive competence to authorize the use of the 1962 Roman Missal in his diocese, according to the guidelines of the Apostolic See.”

  Art. 2

• “to take care not to authorize the establishment of new groups.”

  Art. 3 § 6