By Matters India Reporter
Panaji, Dec 17, 2021: Archbishop Filipe Neri Ferraro of Goa and Daman, the leader of the Latin rite bishops in India, on December 17 urged Catholics to make liturgical celebrations more meaningful, active and participatory.
The president of the Conference of Catholic Bishops of India (CCBI) was speaking at the launch of the book “Liturgical Books: Translation-Adaptation-Publication” at his residence in the Goa capital of Panaji.
“The liturgical celebration becomes more experiential when it is celebrated in the vernacular languages. Language is the means by which we express thoughts and also religious experiences,” the archbishop said and added, “The translation of the liturgical books and its adaptations in vernacular languages should follow the procedural norms and it should help the faithful to participate in the liturgical celebrations more meaningfully,”
The CCBI published the book, following the promulgation of Pope Francis’ Motu Proprio Magnum Principium (Great Principle) that changed some norms in the Code of Canon Law were changed. The recent decree, published October 22 by the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, outlines the practical meaning of the 2017 reforms to the canon law on liturgical adaptations.
In law, the Latin term motu proprio means “on his own impulse” and describes an official act taken without a formal request from another party. Some jurisdictions use the term sua sponte for the same concept.
In Catholic canon law, it refers to a document issued by the Pope on his own initiative and personally signed by him. Such a document could address the whole Church, part of it, or some individuals.
A motu proprio has its legal effect, even if the reasons for its issuance are found to be false or fraudulent, a fact which would normally render the document invalid. Its validity is based on its issuance by the Pope by his own initiative, not upon the reasons alleged.
The CCBI book contains the decree, the Apostolic Letter Motu Proprio Magnum Principium, Canon 838 in the light of Conciliar and Post-Conciliar sources; and a key to the reading of the Motu Proprio Magnum Principium.