A motu proprio is a papal rescript in which the clause motu proprio (Latin, "of his own motion") is used, signifying that the provisions of the rescript were decided by the Pope personally and not by a cardinal or other advisors. It is normally in the form of a decree, resembling a papal brief except that it is not sealed and countersigned. The first motu proprio was issued by Pope Innocent VIII in 1484. It continues to be a common form of rescript, especially when establishing institutions, making minor changes to law or procedure and when granting favours to persons or institutions. Pope John Paul II has reigned since 22 Oct 1978. ... A rescript is a document that is issued not on the initiative of the author, but in response (it literally means written back) to a specific demand made by its addressee. ... Latin is an ancient Indo-European language originally spoken in Latium, the region immediately surrounding Rome. ... Topics in Christianity Movements · Denominations Ecumenism · Preaching · Prayer Music · Liturgy · Calendar Symbols · Art · Criticism Important figures Apostle Paul · Church Fathers Constantine · Athanasius · Augustine Anselm · Aquinas · Palamas · Wycliffe Tyndale · Luther · Calvin · Wesley Arius · Marcion of Sinope Pope · Patriarch of Constantinople Christianity Portal This box:      The Pope (or Pope of Rome) (from... A cardinal is a senior ecclesiastical official, usually a bishop, of the Roman Catholic Church, a member of the College of Cardinals which as a body elects a new pope. ... Decree is an order that has the force of law. ... The Papal Brief is a formal document emanating from the Roman Catholic Pope, in a somewhat simpler and more modern form than a Papal Bull. ... Seal on envelope A seal is an impression printed on, embossed upon, or affixed to a document (or any other object) in order to authenticate it, in lieu of or in addition to a signature. ... Pope Innocent VIII (1432 – July 25, 1492), born Giovanni Battista Cybo, was Pope from 1484 until his death. ...

A motu proprio rescript begins by giving the reasons for issuing it, and continues to describe the law or regulation being made or the favour granted. The Pope personally signs it, with his name and the date in Latin. A rescript containing the clause is valid even when counter to Canon law or previous instructions from the Pope. Canon Law is the ecclesiastical law of the Roman Catholic Church. ...

More generically, it is a Latin phrase used to indicate "of his own motion" similar to "sua sponte". It is used very rarely in legal opinions in the United States; "sua sponte" is the preferred term as it is well known throughout the legal community. Sua sponte, Latin for of ones own accord, is a legal term that means to act spontaneously without prompting from another party. ...

Forthcoming motu proprio

Strong rumors of a motu proprio to be issued by Pope Benedict XVI have arisen in recent weeks (as of early 2007). The topic concerns granting permission for a wider usage of the Tridentine Mass (which was replaced by the Mass of Paul VI in 1970 but subsequently granted limited usage by Pope John Paul II in the late 1980's). This article is becoming very long. ... 2007 (MMVII) is the current year, a common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar and the CE era. ... A Tridentine Mass being celebrated in Bohermeen, Ireland in the 1950s. ... This article is about the post-Vatican-II changes to the Mass; for an explanation of the current structure of the Mass, see Mass (Catholic Church). ... 1970 (MCMLXX) was a common year starting on Thursday. ... Coat of Arms of Pope John Paul II. The Letter M is for Mary, the mother of Jesus, to whom he held strong devotion Pope John Paul II (Latin: , Italian: Giovanni Paolo II, Polish: Jan PaweÅ‚ II) born   [] (May 18, 1920, Wadowice, Poland – April 2, 2005, Vatican City) reigned as...

Rumors of this long anticipated motu proprio first surfaced around Easter in 2006. The news of this purported document once again surfaced when it was expected to be issued in the beginning of 2007 but was met with stiff resistance by the French Episcopacy. Talk of this document has once again arisen, with the Pope expected to promulgate the document sometime after Easter. For the Manfred Mann album, see 2006 (album). ...

External links

• The Holy See's motu proprio list of Pope Paul VI
• The Holy See's motu proprio list of Pope John Paul II
• The Holy See's motu proprio list of Pope Benedict XVI

• Motu Proprio & Universal Indult