The Motu Proprio “Competentias quasdam decernere”, in effect as of February 15, 2022, regarding the intentions of Holy Masses provides as follows: "A reduction of the obligations of Masses, to be made only for a just and necessary cause, is reserved to the diocesan bishop and to the supreme moderator of a clerical institute of consecrated life or a society of apostolic life”. Following a number of inquiries on this matter, it should be noted that Pope Francis, in the Audience granted to the Cardinal Major Penitentiary and Regent on March 3, 2022, confirmed the current practice for the internal forum, namely that if a priest has received a certain number of intentions for Holy Masses and finds himself unable to celebrate them, he may, through his Confessor, appeal to the Apostolic Penitentiary, which, after evaluating the appeal based on the information received, will act accordingly. In all cases of possible reduction in the burden of Holy Masses, the Major Penitentiary will inform the Holy Father in a private audience.

The Supreme Pontiff Francis, on 3 March 2022, ordered the publication of this notification.

Given in Rome, from the offices of the Apostolic Penitentiary, on March 15, 2022.

Mauro Card. Piacenza

Major Penitentiary

Msgr. Krzysztof Nykiel

Regent