Communiqué

The Commission for Religious Relations with the Jews has received many enquiries over the last few weeks on how to interpret the “Motu Proprio” Summorum Pontificium concerning the use of the 1962 Missal in the Roman Liturgy. Many expressed criticism or concern regarding the Prayer for the Conversion of the Jews, present in the Good Friday Liturgy. The Commission can only offer a provisional response.

As for the use of the 1962 Missal in private masses, it should be noted that no private mass is allowed during the “Easter Triduum”. Therefore, according to article 2 of the “Motu Proprio”, the use of problematic texts from the 1962 Missal does not arise.

The situation is different with regard to masses celebrated in communities under the jurisdiction of the Papal Commission “Ecclesia Dei”, communities of institutes of consecrated life and the societies of apostolic life (cf. art. 3) or in masses in parishes as mentioned in art. 5, § 1. According to the information provided by “Ecclesia Dei”, these communities have been using the 1962 Missal also for the Good Friday Liturgy and will continue to do so. Therefore, fundamentally, there is nothing new in this regard. Moreover, one should bear in mind that the wording “perfidi Iudei” is not to be found in the texts of the 1962 Missal for the Good Friday Liturgy. The problem of the Prayer for the Conversion of the Jews requires further reflection. In this regard, it is expected that an adaptation of the 1962 Missal will be needed, and this could provide a way forward.

The Commission for the Religious Relations with the Jews is committed to the search for an appropriate solution.

It should be stressed that there is no intention whatsoever to change the contents of the teachings of Nostra aetate concerning the relations between the Church and the Jewish People.

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