[Catholic Caucus] NFL Star Speaks Out in Defense of the Traditional Latin Mass

National Catholic Register ^ | February 14, 2022 | Joe Bukuras

[ebb tide]

[Catholic Caucus] NFL Star Speaks Out in Defense of the Traditional Latin Mass

Harrison Butker, an NFL kicker for the Kansas City Chiefs, is an altar server at Traditional Latin Masses

Super Bowl Sunday is a day of great tradition for many Americans, but for Super Bowl champion Harrison Butker, the tradition he wanted to bring attention to that day was one of eternal significance: the Traditional Latin Mass and his frustration with new Vatican rules restricting its use.

Butker, 26, is the starting placekicker for the Kansas City Chiefs. His 2020 Super Bowl ring is a symbol of great accomplishment. But during CNA’s exclusive interview with the NFL star on Feb. 13, it was his wedding ring that he was twisting and turning as he thought about his wife, Isabelle, and their two young children and what their future might be if he is no longer able to take them to the Traditional Latin Mass. 

Butker hasn't been shy about discussing his Catholic faith. In a 2019 interview with EWTN, he spoke about how the reverence and rigor he found in the Traditional Latin Mass played an instrumental role in his “re-version” to Catholicism while in college at Georgia Tech. You can watch the segment in the video below.

More recently, Butker's faith has been put to the test. In July 2021, Pope Francis issued a motu proprio called Traditionis custodes that imposed new curbs on when and where the “extraordinary” form of the Mass, using the pre-Vatican II Roman Missal of 1962, may be used. The pope cited his desire to unify the Church as one of the main reasons for his edict. A subsequent Vatican document issued further restrictions on using the old Latin missal for baptisms, confirmations, and other sacraments.

[ebb tide]

I feel like I‘m almost not welcome in the Church for wanting to go to the Latin Mass and for wanting to have a traditional confirmation for my children. I feel like I’m a lesser-than Catholic and not part of the Church because I want to attend the traditional rite. But that’s not the reality at all. I want to be obedient to the Church. I want to stay within the Church. It seems like I'm getting persecuted just because I have a love for the traditional rite. And that rite is getting taken away, unfortunately, which is very sad.

[ebb tide]

Ping

[where's_the_Outrage?]

My Army buddy brought up a good point, when the mass was in Latin it did not matter where in the world you are, the mass was the same and understandable.

Now if you don’t know the local language you are sol. Sounds like an excellent point to me.

[irishjuggler]

” I think the culture is changing rapidly and the traditional Latin Mass is so countercultural that I think it really entices a lot of young people who are looking for answers. They‘re looking for happiness. And for me, I found happiness in embracing the faith offered in the Catholic Church”

What does it say that at an NFL kicker is a far better, wiser Catholic than the current Bishop of Rome?

[PeteyBoy]

My Army buddy brought up a good point, when the mass was in Latin it did not matter where in the world you are, the mass was the same and understandable.

Now if you don’t know the local language you are sol. Sounds like an excellent point to me.

It was always taught to us that the Mass was the same wherever it was said in the entire world. It happened to me at a Christmas Midnight Mass that I went to while stationed in Germany in 1964.

Vatican II ruined EVERYTHING!