Ordinariate-Style Structure for the Roman Rite - New Proposal to Cardinals
Dated December 24, the proposal was made by Father Louis-Marie de Blignières, founder of the French Fraternity of Saint Vincent Ferrer.
The letter (below) was sent in hard copy to 15 cardinals known for their interest in liturgical matters and by email to approximately 100 other cardinals.
Rather than calling for a reversal of existing restrictions on the Traditional Latin Mass, the letter proposes a structural solution: the creation of a personal ecclesiastical jurisdiction dedicated to the ancient Roman rite. Modeled in part on military ordinariates and Anglican ordinariates, such a structure would not be defined by territory but by the faithful who choose to belong to it.
The proposed jurisdiction would be headed by its own bishop or ordinary and possess the authority to incardinate priests, establish parishes, and, where appropriate, provide seminary formation.
It would operate in cooperation with local diocesan bishops and remain fully subject to the authority of the Holy See.
The idea is presented as a working hypothesis. It invites further study and canonical refinement rather than being a formal request or petition.
However, Pope Leo XIV is dismantling Opus Dei's personal prelature structure. Therefore, it seems unlikely that he will offer a similar independent structure to the faithful of the old rite.
Picture: Louis-Marie de Blignières © Peter Potrowl, wikipedia CC BY-SA, #newsZpordhhnbp