Here's the biggest one. Some traditionalists--not all--claim that they accept the teaching authority of the pope but they do so only as long as the pope agrees with "Tradition." They then set themselves up as the real arbiters of what that "Tradition" is. Thus, we have the sad spectacle of a man like Thomas Droleskey writing an article in the most recent issue of "Catholic Family News," in which he calls Benedict XVI's first encyclical, "Deus Caritas Est," a "masterpiece of Modernist obfuscation and fog." How can a Catholic assert that a papal encyclical is in error unless that Catholic does not accept the pope's authority?
That's a good example. I suppose any Catholic may assert anything he wishes and be wrong. I read Deus Carites Est and thought it an excellent expression, but without testing for upholding Tradition. An ecclesial document of obfuscation and fog seems, if not quite Tradition, at least traditional.
I don't know Mr. Droleskey's argument, or even that he accepts the authority of the Pope. He may be right in one area and wrong in another. He may be totally off his rocker, but he has reason for alarm.
I had to go back to your previous post where you wondered "if only it were possible to learn what the position of the traditionalists actually is." For that you have to compare the New Mass with the Latin Mass, and the physical changes to Catholic churches in the last forty years. I know people who love the New Mass, and may even think it a great improvement; Saturday service so it doesn't interfere with Sunday fun, guitars and drums, laughter and applause, tabernacles relocated out of the way, no need to kneel, sins forgiven automaticly. Hey, what's not to like? (unless you're some weirdo dinosaur trad)
Did you know, the entire Mass is prayer? The idea is not "go to church" but pray the Holy Mass. One may receive the sacrament of Holy Communion at the New Mass, but with loss of reverence to God (in my opinon) and greater glory to Man (also my opinion). Hooray for the people who find spiritual fulfillment there, and many do. I feel very fortunate in my circumstance after reading many FReeper's posts about the goings-on, and shopping for a parish in their onw cities. Traditionalists may have seen the New Mass as a great hope, but now think it an experiment turned sour, or perhaps an evil intention with a measure of success.