5                       TRUE

One would be straying from the straight path were he to wish the altar restored to its primitive table-form (Mediator Dei, §62).

FALSE

The altar must be in the form of a table that recalls the Last Supper.

Explanation: It is well to underline the doctrinal coherence that exists among the multiple propositions heretofore refuted. They proceed from the false supposition according to which the faithful participate in the priesthood of Jesus Christ in the same manner as priests do, although, perhaps, to a lesser degree. There is, however, a specific difference between these two participations which the Holy Father does not fear to compare to the difference that exists between the pagan and the baptized. Just as the pagan is outside the union of the Mystical Body of Christ, and inasmuch is incapable of any act proper to this Body, so also the simple layman is outside the priesthood proper to priests and is fundamentally incapable of any specifically priestly act (cf. AAS 39, p. 539). The refuted error was a Protestant novelty which the Jansenists strove to maintain in the bosom of the Church, goaded by the same desire to reform the Church from within so that, from a monarchic and aristocratic society it might become a democratic society.

Bear in mind one of the propositions of the Synod of Pistoia condemned by the Bull Auctorem Fidel of Pius VI (Aug. 28, 1794):

The proposition which states "that power has been given by God to the Church, that it might be communicated to the pastors who are its ministers for the salvation of souls"; if thus understood that the power of ecclesiastical ministry and of rule is derived from the COMMUNITY of the faithful to the pastors,–heretical [emphasis in original] (Dz 1502).

6                       TRUE

All forms of adoration shown to the Blessed Sacrament constitute precious forms of piety, and, as such, must be encouraged. Although the reception of Communion during Mass must be recommended, reception of the Holy Eucharist outside Mass is a means of participating in the Eucharistic Sacrifice.¹

FALSE

Reception of Communion outside Mass, visits to the Blessed Sacrament, the cult of adoring the Sacred Species, perpetual adoration, Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament constitute extra-liturgical forms of piety, and as such must be, little by little, suppressed.

7                         TRUE

The simultaneity of several Masses does not break the unity of the social Sacrifice of the Church.

FALSE

The simultaneous celebration of several Masses breaks the unity of the social Sacrifice.

Explanation: "...[T]here are some who assert that priests cannot offer Mass at different altars at the same time, because, by doing so, they separate the community of the faithful and imperil its unity...." This proposition is condemned by Mediator Dei (§95). The reason is clear: each Sacrifice of the Mass only has value by its intrinsic relation to the Sacrifice of the Cross, which was one and valid for all times. In this way, while there may be several Masses celebrated, in fact, the Sacrifice still remains essentially one. The refuted sentence recalls the Jansenist error condemned by the Constitution Auctorem Fidei of Pius VI, August 28, 1974, No. 31, where it is said:

The proposition of the synod enunciating that it is fitting, in accordance with the order of divine services and ancient custom, that there be only one altar in each temple, and therefore, that it is pleased to restore that custom,–rash, injurious to the very ancient pious custom flourishing and approved for these many centuries in the Church, especially in the Latin Church.⁴

8                       TRUE

There is not the least objection to having other images on the altar with the crucifix, provided that they do not take the place reserved to it.

FALSE

On the altar, there must be no other image than the crucifix.

9                      TRUE

The liturgical prayer which is made in the Church's name according to the words and rites proposed by her can only be made by the priests or the religious on whom its recitation is incumbent. The prayer of the simple layman is always a private prayer whether its words be liturgical or extra-liturgical.

FALSE

When the faithful recite the Divine Office, they accomplish a liturgical act.

10                    TRUE

The spiritual life of the faithful necessarily comprises not only participation in the Mass and the sacraments, but also acts of private piety, without which salvation is impossible.

FALSE

For their spiritual life and union with Jesus Christ, the faithful need only participate in liturgical functions by reciting the official prayers.

Explanation: The refuted sentence was proscribed by Mediator Dei in this way:

...From these profound considerations some are led to conclude that all Christian piety must be centered in the mystery of the Mystical Body of Christ, with no regard for what is "personal" or "subjective," as they would have it. As a result they feel that all other religious exercises not directly connected with the sacred Liturgy and performed outside public worship, should be omitted.

But though the principles set forth above are excellent, it must be plain to everyone that the conclusions drawn from them respecting the two sorts of piety are false, insidious, and quite pernicious.⁶

Moreover, even to priests, whose duty it is to offer liturgical prayer, the Code of Canon Law recommends a fervent private piety (Canon 125, §2). [All references in Bishop de Castro Mayer's Pastoral Letter obviously refer to the 1917 Code of Canon Law and not the 1983 version.–Ed.]