[ti:Pope Francis Limits Use of Latin in Ceremonies] [by:www.51voa.com] [00:00.00]更多听力请访问51VOA.COM [00:00.04]Pope Francis placed limits Friday on the use of Latin [00:04.52]in the Roman Catholic Church service called Mass. [00:08.96]The decision cancels a reform established by Pope Benedict XVI, [00:14.96]who led the Church just before Francis. [00:18.76]Benedict had ordered that Latin could be used [00:22.08]in special celebrations of the mass. [00:25.80]He also permitted the use of Latin in usual masses [00:29.68]if the membership of an individual church requested it. [00:34.28]Pope Francis said he made the change because Benedict's reform [00:38.76]had caused division in the church. [00:42.16]He also said the measure had been abused by Catholics [00:45.88]seeking the cancellation of major changes made by the Church in 1960. [00:52.00]Known as Vatican II, the changes were designed [00:55.56]to reshape the Church for modern times. [00:59.24]Catholics reacted quickly to Pope Francis' announcement Friday. [01:04.20]Some objected to his decision [01:06.64]and said it felt like an attack on them and ancient customs. [01:11.92]Others seemed shocked by the action. [01:14.80]They said they had never known a pope to so directly reject [01:19.80]an important ruling of the preceding pope. [01:23.84]The 84-year-old Francis did not ban Latin masses. [01:29.08]But, now churches that want to celebrate Latin Mass [01:33.12]will have to receive permission to celebrate it [01:36.00]from higher officials and approval from the Vatican. [01:41.36]Also, Church officials will investigate individual churches [01:45.88]currently celebrating Latin mass to learn if they accept Vatican II. [01:52.28]Those groups will not be permitted to use usual Catholic churches. [01:57.52]Instead, higher officials must find other places for them [02:01.84]without creating new parishes. [02:05.16]In addition, Francis said the Church would not [02:08.68]permit the formation of new Latin Mass services. [02:13.20]Francis said he was taking action [02:15.68]to support unity and heal divisions within the church [02:19.44]that had grown since Benedict's 2007 reform. [02:24.64]He said he based his decision on findings of a 2020 Vatican study [02:29.68]of all middle level Catholic officials, known as bishops. [02:35.48]Francis said the research uncovered a worrisome [02:38.76]and saddening situation that made him see the need to intervene. [02:44.48]One of the reasons Francis gave in his letter [02:47.40]was based on a document from Vatican II. [02:51.28]The bishops of that time said using modern languages [02:55.88]meant celebrants "would not assist as strangers [02:59.64]and silent spectators in the mystery of faith, [03:03.72]but, with a full understanding of the rites and prayers." [03:09.80]The Pope's action immediately angered traditionalists [03:13.56]already opposed to his policy-making [03:16.32]which is more liberal than was Benedict's. [03:20.64]Joseph Shaw is chairman of the Latin Mass Society of England and Wales. [03:27.00]"This is an extremely disappointing document [03:30.04]which entirely undoes the legal provisions," set up by Benedict, he said. [03:36.48]Others supported Francis' move. [03:39.60]Christopher Bellitto is a professor of church history [03:43.76]at Kean University in the American state of New Jersey. [03:49.04]He said Francis was right to intervene, [03:51.84]noting that Benedict's reform had had many unwanted results. [03:57.72]Among them, he said, were new divisions within the church [04:01.88]and, for a time, poorer relations with Jews. [04:07.28]Francis was right that "Benedict's 2007 loosening of regulations [04:12.48]against the Latin rite allowed others to use it for division," Bellitto said. [04:19.60]The criticism the Pope is now receiving "proves his point," he added. [04:25.64]The criticism was indeed fierce, although it is also likely [04:30.24]that many will simply ignore Francis' decision. [04:34.64]They point to the growth of conservative parishes, [04:37.84]often attended by young, large families, [04:40.88]as well as new religious orders that celebrate in Latin. [04:46.44]The Latin Mass Society says the number of Latin masses [04:50.60]celebrated each Sunday in England and Wales [04:54.32]had increased from 20 to 46 since 2007. [05:00.44]I'm Jill Robbins. [05:01.84]更多听力请访问51VOA.COM