Pope Benedict enacting liturgical reforms at Vatican and around World

Liturgical watchdogs should start salivating (I am).

First, Pope Benedict is getting ready to tighten-up the Vatican's liturgies:

Milan, Mar. 20 (CWNews.com) - Pope Benedict XVI is reviewing plans for papal liturgical celebrations, the Vatican's top liturgist has disclosed.

Archbishop Piero Marini, the master of ceremonies for papal liturgies, spoke to the Italian internet site on March 20, during a visist to Milan for the publication of his book, Liturgy and Beauty. Archbishop Marini revealed that Pope Benedict XVI has been more demanding than his predecessor in watching plans for liturgical celebrations at the Vatican.

Second, this summer he is going to begin drafting his Apostolic Exhortation for October. A couple juicy predictions:

The Vatican source said that the exhortation would include an invitation to greater use of Latin in the daily prayer of the Church and in the Mass "with the exception of the Liturgy of the Word" as well as in large public and international Masses.

The document would also encourage a greater use of Gregorian chant and classical polyphonic music; the gradual elimination of the use of songs whose music or lyrics are secular in origin, as well as the elimination of instruments that are "inadequate for liturgical use," such as the electric guitar or drums, although it is not likely that specific instruments will be mentioned.

Lastly, the Pope is expected to call for "more decorum and liturgical sobriety in the celebration of the Eucharist, excluding dance and, as much as possible, applause."

All this from the author of the Spirit of the Liturgy. I'm shocked and appalled. ;-)