The Universal Indult

Rorate Caeli reports that the Italian Press seems to be confirming the much anticipated Universal Indult for the use of the pre-Vatican II Roman Liturgy is now only days away. Exactly what this will portend for relations between Rome and some of her wayward children is not entirely clear. It certainly can only help in repairing relations with the Society of St. Pius X (SSPX). My guess is that a lot will depend on how this indult is worded. Will it be a still conditional but much broader permission for the use of the older liturgy? Or will it be a truly blanket permission? Another possibility is that it might simply be a declaration that the Bull Quo Primum Tempore (1570) remains in effect. Another question is what if any other gestures will accompany this. There has been some speculation that +Benedict might publicly offer Mass using this rite, perhaps on Maundy Thursday. Of course this will have little impact on relations with the more extremist groups such as the various sede vecantist sects. They are so far over the edge that there is no real hope. But clearly this will be a significant move to bring back into the fold those Catholics alienated by the liturgical chaos of the last 40 years in the Latin Church.