PONTIFICIA COMMISSIO
"ECCLESIA DEI"
N..168..96 Rome, 31 March 1998
Mr. Michael Davies
President
Foederatio Internationalis Una Voce
24 Cromwell Avenue
BROMLEY
Kent BR2 9AQ
ENGLAND

Dear Mr. Davies,

Thank you for your letter of 26 March 1998 transmitted by fax. In that communication you request a confirmation that the "wide and generous application of the directives already issued

... by the Apostolic See for the use of the Roman Missal according to the typical edition of 1962" (Ecclesia Dei 6, c) pertains to the celebration of Nuptial and Requiem Masses.

1. With regard to Nuptial Masses it should be remembered that the Sacrament of Matrimony is conferred by the couple themselves through their mutual consent. The Nuptial Mass is not a part of the form of the Sacrament. Therefore Nuptial Masses may be celebrated according to the 1962 Roman Missal provided that the local Bishop or the parish priest gives the necessary delegation for the validity of the marriage to the assisting priest according to canon 1108 of the Code of Canon Law.

2. With regard to Requiem Masses and funeral Masses, these also may be celebrated according to the 1962 Roman Missal provided that the local Bishop gives his permission.

This Pontifical Commission also wishes to underscore that it is the responsibility of the diocesan Bishop "to control, promote and protect the entire liturgical life of the Church entrusted to him" (Second Vatican Council's Decree on the Pastoral Office of Bishops Christus Dominus 15; Code of Canon Law, canon 838). Therefore permission for such celebrations should be sought from him. We further recognise that the pastoral conditions prevailing in each situation may have to be carefully assessed by the Bishop and the priest involved and we encourage the faithful who make such requests to accept the determinations of their pastors with filial respect.

With my best wishes for a Blessed Holy Week and Easter, I remain

Sincerely yours in Christ,

Angelo Cardinal Felici

President