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Letter from USCCB Committee on Divine Worship on “Ad Orientem”

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LETTER DATED 12 JULY 2016 from the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops Committee on Divine Worship addresses the issue of celebrating Mass ad orientem. The Most Rev. Arthur J. Serratelli, Chairman, clarifies that there will be no expected changes to the General Instruction of the Roman Missal, but points out existing rubrics in “the Order of Mass which reflect the real possibility that the celebrant might be facing away from the assembly.”

You may also download the letter here.


Note from CCW President: Readers may also want to peruse the ruling from the Vatican regarding whether a local bishop can outlaw “ad orientem” for his diocese. On 10 April 2000, the Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments gave a definitive answer to this question.

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