Comments on Francis Anti-Summorum Pontificum

After the publication of Traditionis Custodes, individual bishops confirmed the Roman Masses which exist in their dioceses. Examples in France are Bishop Aillet of Bayonne and Bishop Rougé of Nanterre, in England, Archbishop Wilson of Southwark. In the USA, Archbishop Cordileone of San Francisco declared that the Old Mass would continue as usual. Albany Bishop Edward Scharfenberger emphasised the great spiritual benefit of the Roman Mass and expressed gratitude for the valuable contribution it has made to the life of the Church.

Fraternity of St. Peter at a Loss

In a statement, the Fraternity of St Peter describes the Motu Proprio as frightening and discouraging. It is too early to assess the impact on the Fraternity, it said. Quote: "We must strive to see our cross as a means of our sanctification and remember that God will never abandon His Church."

Society of Saint Pius X Vindicated

The Society of St. Pius X said in a statement on LaPorteLatine.org that the declared aim of the new Motu Proprio is the disappearance of the Roman Mass. It will only be allowed under harsh conditions, with the aim of converting the faithful to the New Rite as Francis writes in the accompanying letter. The means to achieve this are restrictions on places and times, strict control of the clergy and the abolition of the Roman contact points for the Roman Rite and their transfer to the jurisdiction of the Congregation for the Liturgy and Religious Orders. The Society of St. Pius X notes that the new situation is traumatic for those who thought they could put their trust in the ecclesiastical authorities.

The last crumbs are being taken away

The publicist Hilary White calls Traditionis Custodes in her newsletter bittersweet. Bitter because Francis' hard-hearted purge is causing real suffering and harm, especially in the US and France, where the Roman Mass has grown rapidly in recent years. In contrast, he says, Summorum Pontificum has remained a dead letter in Italy and other parts of the world. Sweet for White is that Traditionis Custodes removes illusions. Now Catholics must realise that for fifty years they have only been given crumbs by an abusive hierarchy and have thanked them for it out of fear of getting nothing at all. White writes that Benedict XVI had no realistic idea of how much the bishops hate the Catholic religion and its liturgy. White rejoices that after Traditiones Custodes there are no more sweet lies like "hermeneutic of continuity" or "reform of the reform." Francis, she says, has made it clear that he wants to purge the Church of the remnants of Catholicism. White believes - this seems to be her illusion - that in future the ecclesiastical civil war will be waged openly, that Catholics will renounce their compromises and be forced to make a decision.