Motu Proprio

 

Huh?


Motu Proprio is Latin, meaning "of his own motion". It's a papal rescript - that is, a document issued by the Pope in response to a request or demand and decided by the Pope personally, not by the Cardinals or advisors. It's like a papal brief (which is a type of papal bull), but not sealed. Got it?

So what's the cartoon about? We talked in class about the Pope's desire to see an expanded use of the Tridentine Mass. To make it easier for priests to celebrate it, the Pope can issue a Motu Proprio. Some Cardinals and Bishops don't like it - particularly the French ones. But rumor has it Pope Benedict XVI is going ahead with it. Hence the cartoon.