Initial Reactions to Traditionis Custodes

Bergoglio Boniface VIII
who succeeded Benedict XVI Celestine V who abdicated

GREGORY DIPIPPO | NLM

Pray for Pope Francis

Commentary will be issued later today, after prayer, a good long walk, and a lot of coffee. We must redouble our prayers for Pope Francis, whose whole papacy, every smile, every hug of a disabled person, every exhortation to mercy, will be stained for the rest of history, along with the throne of St Peter itself, by this unprecedented and absolutely gratuitous act of pastoral cruelty, the attempted revocation of Summorum Pontificum.

https://www.newliturgicalmovement.org/2021/07/pray-for-pope-francis.html#.YPJ5QuhKiUk

RORATE COELI

We were also asked if this is "huge". Yes, it is huge.

It is the most stinging rebuke by a Pope against his predecessor in living memory -- there has never been anything like it. Remember that the document itself is just 14 years old, and that Benedict XVI is still alive.

Legally, it's a complete mess. Benedict had made clear in Summorum that it is basically impossible for an ancient rite to be simply abolished. Paul VI had never truly abolished it, it was implied, because he could not do it. And the commission of cardinals that advised John Paul II had basically said the same.

Now, in the article 1 of his document, Francis basically abolishes it.

You will forgive if Traditional Catholics who withstood much more difficult times under Paul VI are skeptical. Basically, what we believe is that Francis IS NOT ENTITLED TO DO what he has just done. And our inexorable growth will eventually force a future pope to do to Francis what Francis THINKS he has done to Benedict: the impossible abolition of something that has refused to die even under the direst of circumstances.

https://rorate-caeli.blogspot.com/2021/07/urgent-anti-summorum-motu-proprio.html

RAYMOND J. DE SOUZA

Pope Francis has been generous with the SSPX, granting their priests faculties to hear confessions and witness marriages. Their Masses are valid. 

Might the restrictions on the Extraordinary Form, combined with the Holy Father’s more generous treatment of the SSPX, mean that Catholics who prefer the older form tend to frequent SSPX chapels as the Extraordinary Form become less available through their dioceses? It may be a possible unintended consequence.

https://www.ncregister.com/commentaries/pope-francis-traditionis-custodes

ARCHBISHOP SALVATORE CORDILEONI

Archbishop Salvatore Cordiloeone of San Francisco told CNA July 16 that “The Mass is a miracle in any form: Christ comes to us in the flesh under the appearance of Bread and Wine. Unity under Christ is what matters. Therefore the Traditional Latin Mass will continue to be available here in the Archdiocese of San Francisco and provided in response to the legitimate needs and desires of the faithful.”

https://www.catholicworldreport.com/2021/07/16/archbishop-cordileone-traditional-latin-mass-will-continue-in-san-francisco/

ANY WELBORN | Catholic World Report

In short: a papacy that, in words, emphasizes synodality, accompaniment, listening, dialogue, outreach to the margins, and consistently condemns “clericalism” – has issued a document that embodies a rigid approach to the issue, and then restricts, limits and directs more power, ultimately, to Rome.

And shows no evidence of actually “listening” to anyone except bishops who are annoyed by the TLM and TLM adherents who conveniently fit the “divisive” narrative.

Shows no interest in generously accompanying those who find nourishment in the TLM and may find themselves at the margins because of it.

Shows no interest in exploring any fruits of this aspect of Catholic life or even posing the question of how the “Spirit might be moving” in it.

https://www.catholicworldreport.com/2021/07/16/opinion-a-narrow-fellow-in-the-grass/

THE LATIN MASS SOCIETY OF ENGLAND AND WALES

Submitted by Stephen Moseling

Some Comments on the Apostolic Letter 'Traditionis Custodes'

This document will be a grave disappointment to those many priests and lay Catholics who responded to the words of Pope St John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI, who encouraged the use of the earlier liturgical tradition, calling it a ‘rightful aspiration’ and ‘riches’ for the Church, respectively. These Catholics have worked hard over many years, particularly since 2007, to build up the unity of the Church, which as the Second Vatican Council declared does not depend on liturgical uniformity but on unity of faith under the Pope (Sacrosanctum Concilium 37; Orientalium Ecclesiarum 2).

The provision that the EF not be celebrated in parish churches appears entirely unworkable, in the context of the careful provision which has been made over many years by bishops all over the world.

The overall negative judgement of the EF and the communities which attend it seems wholly unwarranted, and we would challenge any apologist for this document to produce real evidence that the EF has undermined the unity of the Church, compared, say, to the celebration of Eastern Rites in the West, the special liturgical celebrations of the Neocatechumenate, or the great variety of liturgical styles found in the context of the Ordinary Form of the Roman Rite.

[...]

If implemented rigorously, this document will seriously disrupt long-established celebrations of the older Missal, and will drive a great many faithful Catholics, who desire nothing more than to attend the ancient Mass in communion with their bishops and the Holy Father, to attend celebrations which fall outside the structures of the Church, above all those of the Society of St Pius X.

Joseph Shaw, Chairman of the Latin Mass Society

RAYMOND CARDINAL BURKE | National Catholic Register

Cardinal Burke’s Assessment

In comments to the Register, Cardinal Raymond Burke, prefect emeritus of the Apostolic Signatura, noted what he sees as a number of flaws in Traditionis Custodes, saying he could not understand how the new Roman Missal is the “unique expression of the lex orandi of the Roman Rite,” as the new motu proprio states. The Extraordinary Form of the Mass “is a living form of the Roman Rite and has never ceased to be so,” Cardinal Burke noted.

He also could not understand why the motu proprio takes effect immediately, as the decree “contains many elements that require study regarding its application.”

The American cardinal further noted that in his long experience he has not witnessed the “gravely negative situation” Francis describes in his letter.

While some faithful may have “erroneous ideas,” he said, he has found the faithful in question generally “have a profound love for the Church and for their pastors in the Church” and “in no way ascribe to a schismatic or sedevacantist ideology. In fact, they have often suffered greatly in order to remain in the communion of the Church under the Roman Pontiff,” he said.

Cardinal Burke added that if there are situations “of an attitude or practice contrary to the sound doctrine and discipline of the Church, they should be addressed individually by the pastors of the Church, the Roman Pontiff and the Bishops in communion with him.”

Cardinal Burke also questioned the motu proprio’s tone, observing that it is “marked by a harshness” towards faithful who worship in the Extraordinary Form.

“I pray that the faithful will not give way to the discouragement which such harshness necessarily engenders but will, with the help of divine grace, persevere in their love of the Church and of her pastors,” he said.

https://www.ncregister.com/news/latin-mass-supporters-react-with-dismay-to-pope-s-severe-new-restrictions?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+NCRegisterDailyBlog+National+Catholic+Register

FSSP

July 16, 2021

Statement Regarding Traditionis Custodes

With the publication of Pope Francis’ latest motu proprio, Traditionis Custodes, which has placed new restrictions on the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite, many of us are disheartened and anxious. At this point, it is too early to tell what all the implications will be for the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter, but we assure you that we remain committed to serving the faithful attending our apostolates in accordance with our Constitutions and charism as we have done since our founding.

We must strive to see this Cross as a means of our sanctification, and to remember that God will never abandon His Church. Our Lord Himself promises us the necessary graces to bear our Crosses with strength and courage. We must not, however, neglect to do our part as faithful Catholics; let us pray and offer sacrifices in our daily lives, and trust in the intercession of Our Lady, St. Joseph, and our patron, St. Peter.

https://fssp.com/statement-regarding-traditionis-custodes/

U.S. Bishops Conference President Responds to Holy Father’s Apostolic Letter Motu Proprio “On the Use of the Roman Liturgy Prior to the Reform of 1970”

USCCB

WASHINGTON – Earlier today, Pope Francis issued an apostolic letter, Traditionis custodes modifying the norms regulating the use of the 1962 Roman Missal issued before the reforms of the Second Vatican Council. Archbishop José H. Gomez of Los Angeles, president of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops, issued the following statement in response: 

“Today Pope Francis published Traditionis custodes, an Apostolic Letter issued motu proprio on the use of Latin liturgical texts approved prior to the reform of 1970. I welcome the Holy Father’s desire to foster unity among Catholics who celebrate the Roman Rite.

“As these new norms are implemented, I encourage my brother bishops to work with care, patience, justice, and charity as together we foster a Eucharistic renewal in our nation.”

DIOCESE OF LITTLEROCK | Bishop Taylor

“In view of the publication today of the apostolic letter 'Traditionis Custodes' issued by Pope Francis in which he revokes, effective immediately, permissions regarding the use of the Roman liturgy in place prior to the reform of 1970 — the 'Vetus Ordo' Mass (i.e., the traditional Latin Mass, hereafter called the Latin Mass) granted by Pope Benedict XVI in his apostolic letter 'Summorum Pontificium,' it is incumbent on me as your bishop to indicate the implications of this change for our diocese.

“Let me state clearly from the outset that the restrictions on the use of the Latin Mass imposed by 'Traditionis Custodes' do not apply to our two personal parishes for the celebration of the Latin Mass: St. John the Baptist Parish in Cabot and Our Lady of Sorrows Parish in Springdale.

"There is no change for these parishes or the priests serving them. All that is required of them and the Fraternity of St. Peter (FSSP) priests serving them is that they accept the validity and legitimacy of the liturgical reform of Vatican II, which they do. 'Traditionis Custodes' does caution me not to establish any additional personal parishes for the celebration of the Latin Mass going forward.

“To understand the reason for 'Traditionis Custodes' and the need to revoke the provisions of 'Summorum Pontificium,' it is important to realize that 'Summorum Pontificium' sought to foster the healing of the schism of Archbishop Lefebre and others who rejected not only the liturgical reforms of Vatican II but indeed often the council itself.

"As it turned out, not only did 'Summorum Pontificium' not achieve that purpose, the unintended result in many places was to create further division within parishes and among priests. 'Traditionis Custodes' is the result of consultation among bishops in 2020 and seeks to foster unity by removing this source of division in our parishes. The main impact locally will be:

“1. 'Traditionis Custodes' (Art. 3, no. 2) indicates that the Latin Mass is not to be celebrated in regular parish churches and so will no longer be celebrated in El Dorado, Mountain Home or Cherokee Village. I am to designate locations where the Latin Mass can be celebrated, and these are the personal parishes of St. John the Baptist in Cabot and Our Lady of Sorrows in Springdale.

“2. 'Traditionis Custodes' (Art. 5) indicates that priests who already celebrate the Latin Mass must request permission from the bishop to continue to enjoy this faculty. Here, for non-FSSP priests, that would be exclusively for the private celebration of the Latin Mass since the public celebration of the Latin Mass in Arkansas is to occur only in the two personal parishes entrusted to the FSSP.

“The 'Novus Ordo' Mass is to be celebrated according to the rubrics provided for that Mass. The 'Novus Ordo' Mass can be celebrated by any priest in any language, including Latin, and Latin service music can always be used, but elements of the traditional Latin Mass are not to be grafted onto the 'Novus Ordo' Mass, regardless of whether it is celebrated in Latin or the vernacular.

Sincerely in Christ,

+Anthony B. Taylor

Bishop of Little Rock

https://www.dolr.org/article/bishop-addresses-limits-latin-mass

Rev. Fr. Peter M.J. Stravinskas

An unnecessary and divisive motu proprio

Pope Francis’ letter to the bishops comes off as judgmental and mean-spirited, reeking with a hermeneutic of suspicion.

Francis’ letter to the bishops comes off as judgmental and mean-spirited, reeking with a hermeneutic of suspicion. It is highly ironic that the Pope intent on extending “mercy” ... should not exhibit one ounce of pastoral solicitude for faithful Catholics. If the dire situation of disunity he posits is in evidence somewhere, would it not be incumbent on the diocesan bishop to deal with it? Someone suffering from a hangnail doesn’t qualify for the amputation of his finger or hand. In reality, it is perversely amusing that the Pope engages in the very conduct some “Rad-Trads” do when they come upon a liturgical abuse in the “mainstream” Church and thus accuse the OF of the problem.

He writes:

In defense of the unity of the Body of Christ, I am constrained to revoke the faculty granted by my Predecessors.

The distorted use that has been made of this faculty is contrary to the intentions that led to granting the freedom to celebrate the Mass with the Missale Romanum of 1962.

I must ask again, whence did the Pope get this information? He claims it comes from his polling of the body of bishops, but we are not privy to how many bishops responded to his inquiry nor what they said specifically. The Pope of parrhesia and transparency has never evinced those characteristics in his own behavior.

https://www.catholicworldreport.com/2021/07/17/traditionis-custode-an-unnecessary-and-divisive-motu-proprio/