Replies

French clerics oppose restoration of Latin Mass

Oct. 24 (CWNews.com) - French clerics are leading the opposition to release of a papal document that would allow wider use of the traditional Latin Mass.

A group of 35 French bishops and priests have issued a statement urging Pope Benedict XVI (bio - news) not to issue the motu proprio that has been widely discussed in recent weeks. The clerics predict that by allowing broader use of the Tridentine rite, the papal document would "plunge us back into the liturgical life of another age."

Infocatholo, the news agency sponsored by the French bishops' conference, reports that the papal document has been edited and is ready for release. But the bishops' news agency says that there is strong opposition to the proposed move within the Roman Curia.

The opposition is particularly evident among French bishops, many of whom have given clear public indications of their hostility toward the papal initiative. Bishop Robert Le Gall of Toulouse told the daily La Croix that permission to use the Latin Mass would "create grave difficulties, especially for those who have remained loyal to Vatican II." Sounding the same theme, Bishop Andre Lacrampe of Besançon said that "one cannot erase Vatican II with a stroke of the pen."

Opponents of the Latin Mass have based their arguments on the premise that the Pope's proposal would be designed to encourage members of the traditionalist Society of St. Pius X (SSPX) to return to communion with the Holy See. Bishop Claude Dagens of Angouleme told the weekly La Vie that a change in liturgical discipline would not achieve that result. He explained, "You can't pretend that Archbishop Lefebvre's break with the Church was caused only by the liturgy."

But other French bishops objected to use of the old liturgical rite by priests who have left the SSPX, to set up the new Institute of the Good Shepherd. Archbishop Andre Vingt-Trois of Paris complained that the new Institute, with Vatican approval, has already begun work in the Paris archdiocese. And Bishop Michel Pansard of Chartres said that he was "astonished" to learn that the traditionalist group was opening a seminary without first consulting him.

Infocatho, the bishops' new agency, gave a clear indication of its own perspective in the news report on the French clerics' complaints. The adoption of a policy allowing free use of either the Tridentine liturgy or the post-conciliar Novus Ordo, Infocatho said, would divide the Church, because "Eucharistic bi-ritualism in the Latin Catholic Church contradicts what the Eucharist signifies."

To contextualize the French bishops' response, I offer this quote from George Weigel's interview with Yale Prof. George Lindbeck, who was a (Lutheran) Protestant observer at the Council:

"Weigel: So in that specific French sense, the pre- conciliar conflict goes back even further than the Modernist crisis, and reflects the fault line that runs through French society from 1789 on?

Lindbeck: I always found it desirable at any dinner party to find out where people stood on the Revolution before getting into any other discussion."

Much else of interest is in this interview which Mr. Weigel did for First Things in 1994, and online at the FT site.

Robert Le Gall of Toulouse told the daily La Croix that permission to use the Latin Mass would "create grave difficulties, especially for those who have remained loyal to Vatican II." Sounding the same theme, Bishop Andre Lacrampe of Besançon said that "one cannot erase Vatican II with a stroke of the pen."

The Pauline mass is not the same as Vatican II, merely what was thought at the time to be an implementation of the Council's document on reform of the liturgy. It may not be the only way to implement the reform called by the Council, which might be able to be done in a way that preserves more of the traditional rite. I don't think a universal indult would necessarily be contrary to Vatican II. And what about being loyal to Catholic liturgical tradition? The Church did not start with Vatican II, nor did Vatican II establish a new religion. So much of the glorious tradition was thrown out in the name of Vatican II, and now we wonder why the faith is not being adequately passed on to succeeding generations. An option of the two authentic rites would keep us more in touch with our liturgical tradition.

The adoption of a policy allowing free use of either the Tridentine liturgy or the post-conciliar Novus Ordo, Infocatho said, would divide the Church, because "Eucharistic bi-ritualism in the Latin Catholic Church contradicts what the Eucharist signifies."

Not true. There have always been multiple rites in the Church. Even within the West, the Tridentine reform itself allowed ancient longstanding rites such as the Milanese or the Mozarabic rite to remain. I think it will help the Church to have an option of the Tridentine rite and a Novus Ordo rite, itself reformed to reflect more closely the concerns of the Council fathers.

A group of 35 French bishops and priests have issued a statement urging Pope Benedict XVI (bio - news) not to issue the motu proprio that has been widely discussed in recent weeks. The clerics predict that by allowing broader use of the Tridentine rite, the papal document would "plunge us back into the liturgical life of another age."

Uhhh...correct me if I am wrong, but weren't practically all the innovations of the NO defended as ancient liturgical practices that the bad ol' medieval Church got rid of?

Stuff and nonsense! What are the four Eucharistic Prayers then? Why does the East have different liturgies for different feasts? (Chrystostom, Basil, James, etc.)

There is less confusion if the Tridentine Mass is referenced as such rather than as the Latin Mass since the Novus Ordo may also be said in Latin.

Of course, no one died and left these dissenting French bishops (or Curial officials of similar rebellious nature) in charge of bossing the Holy Father around either. They can comply with his decisions or get out. Not one of them became a bishop without taking a priestly vow of obedience. Excommunicate any who refuse to submit to and obey Christ's Vicar on Earth.

Some of the bad French bishops have such appropriate names: Le Gall, Lacrampe!!! Archbishop Vingt-Trois of Paris and Bishop Pansard of Chartres seem to be especially nervy items as well.

Without further info, Bishop Dagens may have promise.

My next rosary is for the intentions of the Holy Father (whom this very moment was described by Protestant Rush Limbaugh as "the Vicar of Christ") and that we all have the good grace to accept his judgments. If his judgments may differ from my private opinions, I particularly pray for the grace to accept his judgments cheerfully and enthusiastically as gifts from God Whom Benedict XVI serves.

God bless you and yours.