Due to the recent resignation of the Pope Benedict XVI, the last saturday, I listened on the radio a program where a journalist talked about the latin expression "Motu proprio." Then I thought it would be interesting to talk to you about this.
A Motu proprio is a document, of the Catholic Church, issued by Pope on his own initiative and authority. It usually refers to short documents, affecting to some specific issues.
It is used as an expression to indicate that something is done spontaneously, without answering request.It is often used incorrectly as Motu propio, with only an “r”, or preceded by a preposition (de motu proprio or por motu proprio).
Regardless of its primary sense as "outcome document" of the Pope, is very frequently used in Spanish (in conversations, lectures, legal terms, conferences, etc). Therefore, it is very often hear the "de motu proprio" -- or erroneously "propio" = “own” --, ignoring the Latin meaning and construction that should never be overlooked.
The redundancy implies that "de" (“of”), accompanying "motu" -- which already has included in "motus" = movement -- forced to say "propio" (“own”), as indicative of a matter itself, although actually the "proprius "(used "proprio"), which is meant to “pro prius motus” (for first motive, first right, first impulse, for the first reaction ....) will issue "motu proprio" as being the first thing you think of.
I hope I have explained well the expression to you.
Till soon, kind regards,
Luis.
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