[Wonder Warthog]

"The longer historical practice in the Western/Latin Church IS Latin. There were the changes you mentioned, but for most of history, Latin was the language, and the drastic change in the last century was a revolution, not a "restoration.""

Latin was used for a long time---so what!! I say again--there is NOTHING SPECIAL about Latin. It's just another (dead) language.

[Pyro7480]

One of the special qualities about Latin IS the fact that it is "dead."

[Petrosius]

May I add another advantage of Latin, protection against phyletism or religious nationalism that has plagued the Orthodox with their use of the vernacular. The use of Latin is a powerful reminder that we are united in a single universal Church, a union than encompasses both space and time, a union centered on the Church of Rome.

[stop_fascism]

I agree. In fact, when the Roman Rite was first adopted, Latin was the vernacular language of the day. I'm sure lots of people at the time were complaining about the loss of Greek.

That being said, there are advantages in both rites. The trident is much more eucharist-centric, and the music is generally much better. On the other hand, the Novo adds an OT reading, a psalm, and the peace. Then, of course, there are all the Eastern Rites, which are stunning. No reason they all can't co-exist.

I don't see this indult having much effect. It's a little stronger statement to the bishops than the current indult. However, I don't believe there are thousands of priests aching to celebrate the Trident. For that matter, I don't think most modern catholics have the patience for the adulation of the host in the Trident.