I wonder if his view has been arrived at after persuasion? Indeed, the contents of an address His Eminence gave to the Colloquium “The Source of the Future” (“Quelle der Zukunft”) in Herzogenrath, near Aachen (Germany) at the end of March refers to mutual enrichment but by my reading, his words are more weighted towards restoration of tradition. Are we pressing the panic button prematurely or has he developed his views?
For example, the suggested superiority of the OF lectionary over that used in the EF is rather like comparing apples with pears. It was formulated from the Canon of Sacred Scripture for the purpose of the new (OF) Mass. The OF Mass being a complete departure from what had gone before it.
The new OF Mass was about participation and less about sacrifice and what better way of keeping the laity engaged than by the Liturgy of the Word in the vernacular!
The EF Mass is in keeping with the Catholic theology of the Holy Mass as decided at Trent (Session XXII), the OF Mass was a move toward the belief that the hierarchic priesthood of the sacred ministers that had hitherto existed, was to be displaced by a common priesthood inclusive of faithful - dare I say, a nod in the direction of what is in essence Protestant belief.
The OF Mass is about choice, look at the pluralism in the order of the Mass with options at many points. The OF lectionary also allows some choice on occasions for example take a look at the multiple choices for a Requiem Mass.
And, if this fusion was to be sought, it would require a re-write of the Breviarium Romanum. The readings Ad Matutinum are often co-dependent on the Gospel in the Mass. This would be an extremely long process to reconstruct – and that is before one factors in new Saints and Blesseds also proposed as part of a unification. Incidentally, I also point out that the Paul VI Office is in need of an overhaul and that is still in the Vatican pipeline and has been for some time, so I expect no overnight change in any event, Vatican time is not speedy.
In my view, there is simply no need to conflate the two rites – the commonality and central point ought to be the Eucharist, Our Most Blessed Lord, who is present in both. So surely, they can co-exist?
It is also worthy to mention that are a several other rites within the church that co-exist with the OF and EF with no problem at all.
There is no criticism in this blog of the OF Mass - merely an opinion advocated that it was designed to cater for a 'perceived' need and that the church ought to learn by history that followed the creation that perhaps the sacred should be left well alone.