On the Attacks on Traditional Catholics

 Almost a year ago, Pope Francis published his motu proprio "Traditionis Custodes", which seeks to eradicate all celebration of the Mass of the Ages, the usus antiquior, also referred to as the Extraordinary Form, or TLM.

The premise is that traditional Catholics deny Vatican II. Further, that we consider the Novus Ordo or Ordinary Form of the mass to be invalid. These claims are false.

The claim that we create division is not merely false, but seeks to distract from the reality that division is a primary result of the Novus Ordo, with its many options, and undisciplined ad libs by some "presiders."

Prior to the release of the Novus Ordo, mass was consistent around the world. The language was Latin, and to the degree that you came to understand it, that understanding served you equally well in any country. But now, with the Novus Ordo in the vernacular, churches in relative proximity may be celebrating in almost any language. And even if you visit adjacent parishes which use the same language, the options applied may still confuse those unfamiliar with the full range of possibilities.

We are told that Vatican II called for this new liturgy. Another false claim. The constitution on the liturgy, Sacrosanctum Concilium, called for:

• Continuing to use Latin
• Continuing to favor chant and polyphony
• Preference given to the use of the organ

And certainly, SC did not call for the extensive use of "hymns" written by apostates, Protestants, or laicized clerics. Nor yet, for a Gloria set to the tune of My Little Pony. And yet, in Novus Ordo parishes all over the country, these are standard fare.

People with training in knowledge in theology, the liturgy, and Canon law have all written extensively on the problems with the motu proprio. Many have said it is internally incoherent, not juridical, and self-contradictory. Moreover, it places a heavy burden on bishops, whose duties are already heavy. And it risks alienating a segment of Catholic America which is growing, procreating, and supporting its parishes, even as the Novus Ordo parishes are shrinking and families in them are having fewer children. 

The traditional Catholics are estimated at 5-6% of American Catholics, yet Latin parishes frequently account for as much as 20% of new vocations in their dioceses. If there are no new priests, then all too soon there will be no Church. No priest, no Eucharist. It is not rocket science, after all.