Cardinal Antonio María Rouco Varela, Archbishop Emeritus of Madrid, has said he “positively” welcomed Summorum Pontificum, Pope Benedict XVI’s 2007 motu proprio allowing for provisions for priests to celebrate the Extraordinary Form of the Mass.

In an interview with La Nuova Bussola Quotidiana published 7 July, he said of Summorum Pontificum: “It was a very comprehensive measure, I think it was good.

“In Madrid there is a church where the ancient rite is still celebrated. The faithful must take it seriously, not become propagandists of it.”

Cardinal Rouco Varela, who was Archbishop of Madrid from 1994-2014, called for an end to “the abuses of the liturgy that deny the teachings of Vatican II.”

“The liturgy of Vatican II must be celebrated properly,” he said.

“And then we need understanding for those who want the old rite.”

“Remaining faithful to what the Second Vatican Council establishes, with a little respect for the freedom of the faithful within the communion of the Church. Therefore, not regulating.”

Summorum Pontificum allowed for Catholic priests in the Latin rite to celebrate Mass privately according to the 1962 or 1970 missals without the need for permission from the Apostolic See or their own ordinary.

The document also stated: “In parishes where a group of the faithful attached to the previous liturgical tradition stably exists, the parish priest should willingly accede to their requests to celebrate Holy Mass according to the rite of the 1962 Roman Missal.”

Provisions were restricted following Pope Francis’ 2021 motu proprio Traditionis Custodes by requiring that priests ordained after the publication seek permission from the Apostolic See through their diocesan bishop if they wish to celebrate the 1962 Missal.

Priests already celebrating the old rite were instructed “request from the diocesan Bishop the authorisation to continue to enjoy this faculty”.