Your correspondent P. Daly (August 3) is not fair to the English bishops. The indult obtained by Cardinal Heenan does not empower them to grant more than occasional permission for the Tridentine Mass. This restriction must logically apply to the extent of the advertising of such Masses. Within the limits imposed upon them bishops are generally liberal in their granting of such permissions.
There is a branch of the Latin Mass Society in every diocese and its monthly bulletin publishes times arid places where Tridentine Masses are available with episcopal permission.
An Instruction issued by the Congregation of Rites, May 4, 1967, must also he taken into account by bishops — and ainriiari priests, religious, and Laity — in this connection.
We are reminded that an "important principle of ecclesiastical discipline ..." solemnly confirmed by the Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy of Vatican II is involved. "The regulation of the sacred liturgy depends solely on the authority of the Church ... Therefore no other person, even if he be a priest, may add, remove or change anything in the liturgy on his own authority" (art. 22 par. I & 3). "Ordinaries, both local and religious, will remember their grave duty before the Lord of ensuring that this law, which is of such importance for the Church's life and structures, be fully observed," etc.
(Fr) L. E. Whatmore Pevensey, Sussex.