[sinkspur]

The fact remains, however, that if the NO were celebrated according to the GIRM every Sunday in Latin as Sacrosanctum Concilium recommends, there would be almost no sedevacantists, schismatics, etc. The NO is perfectly capable of maintaining the atmosphere of solemn dignity and reverence.

I disagree with this completely. If you read the schismatics carefully, most of them will accept nothing short of the restoration of the Tridentine Mass, the suppression of the Novus Ordo (GIRM or otherwise), and the complete repudiation of Vatican II. If the Church acceded to a universal indult, the SSPX would still hold out because the Church was still corrupted by Vatican II. I'm convinced there would be a hardcore of SSPXers who wouldn't return under any circumstances due to simple pride.

I've also detected, in some of the posting of those who favor a return to the Tridentine Mass and who attend the Novus Ordo, a secret hope that the Novus Ordo will, at some point, be seen as an aberration and be suppressed.

Now, I would oppose this vehemently, but I would attend whatever Mass the Church approves, because it is THE EUCHARIST that is important, after all. But any attempt to reimpose the Tridentine Mass would drive Catholics out of the Church who prefer worshipping God in their native tongue.

If every bishop permitted their priests to celebrate the Tridentine Rite and refrained from stigmatizing the priests who chose to celebrate it, I can't imagine the SSPX could stay in operation.

I don't think bishops would stigmatize priests who want to celebrate the Tridentine Mass. I really don't.

But I do firmly believe that there are just not that many priests who would celebrate the Tridentine Mass (no matter what your anecdotal experience happens to be) and the thought of Mass in Latin hasn't crossed the minds of 95% of Catholics who attend Mass every Sunday. Most of them would welcome it as an occasional novelty, but would not attend a Latin Mass on a regular basis.

But, I agree. The Tridentine Mass should be offered, but not jammed down anybody's throat. That's the mistake the Church made in the 1960s, and it should not make it again.

[Tantumergo]

"I don't think bishops would stigmatize priests who want to celebrate the Tridentine Mass. I really don't."

I only pray that were true, but as I have spent plenty of time working in the curia I can assure you it is not!!!

[wideawake]

I disagree with this completely. If you read the schismatics carefully, most of them will accept nothing short of the restoration of the Tridentine Mass, the suppression of the Novus Ordo (GIRM or otherwise), and the complete repudiation of Vatican II.

This is the belief of the hardest of the hardcore.

Remember that there were those who schismatized over the First Vatican Council, as well as those who schismatized over Pope Pius XII's new Psalter and the changes in the liturgy of Holy Week.

If 95% of traditionalists knew that they were guaranteed a proper Tridentine Mass in their local parish, they would come back.

Not many would insist on banning the NO because they believe, as I do, that the NO would gradually wither on the vine if the Tridentine were widely available.

Besides, it is unCatholic to suppress approved rites.

I don't think bishops would stigmatize priests who want to celebrate the Tridentine Mass. I really don't.

I disagree. My own pastor has a kind of understanding with the local ordinary - he will allow the Tridentine Mass in our parish as long as my pastor doesn't "proselytize" for it. He has been forbidden from inviting the NO attendees to Tridentine Masses and from suggesting Tridentine baptisms, weddings or burials - he only baptized my daughter according to the Tridentine Rite because I specifically requested: he would not have brought it up to me for fear of angering the ordinary.

The Tridentine Mass should be offered, but not jammed down anybody's throat.

Precisely. I believe the merits of the Tridentine Rite are self-evident. It is inappropriate to try to "sell" it to Catholics.