The Times Australia
The Times World News

.
The Times Real Estate

.

How limiting Latin Mass may become the defining moment for Pope Francis

  • Written by Steven P. Millies, Associate Professor of Public Theology and Director of The Bernardin Center, Catholic Theological Union

Pope Francis took sudden steps on July 16, 2021, to curtail the traditional Latin Mass[1], in an abrupt reversal of his predecessor’s policy.

To non-Catholics – and many Catholics – the decision may seem on first glance to be a technical, even obscure action not worth very much attention.

But it sent shock waves through the Roman Catholic Church[2]. As a scholar who studies the Catholic Church[3]’s relationship to the world, I believe the move may be the most important action Francis has taken in an eventful papacy.

A history of the Mass

The Mass is the central act of Roman Catholic worship. During the earliest centuries of Christianity, there was widespread variation in the Mass[4]. Local irregularities thrived at a time before printed books, and easy communication, were available.

But after the Reformation of the 16th century split the Western Church in two, the Roman Catholic Church regularized the form and the language of the Mass. At the Council of Trent[5], a gathering of Catholic bishops in northern Italy between 1545 and 1563 prompted by the rise of Protestantism, the Mass was codified. Disseminating the new rules to churches across Europe was made easier with the help of the newly invented printing press[6].

From that time, the ordinary celebration of the Mass followed a precise format that was set forth in printed books – and was always celebrated in Latin.

This Mass held firm in Catholic life for 400 years.

That was until the Second Vatican Council[7] of 1962 to 1965. Also known as Vatican II, the council was convened to address the position of the Catholic Church in the modern world. Vatican II decreed that Catholics should be full, active participants in the Mass. Among other changes favoring that decree, the Mass was to be translated into local languages.

But before long, some Catholics began to express misgivings about the new rules regarding Mass, fearing that it changed too much by upending centuries of tradition.

One of them was French Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre[8], who refused to conduct the Mass in anything other than Latin, saying, “I prefer to walk in the truth without the Pope than to walk a false path with him.” On another occasion he commented[9]: “Our future is the past.”

How call to unity backfired

In 1976, Pope Paul VI[10] suspended Lefebvre[11] from acting as a priest. Lefebvre responded by defying the pope to form his own school in Switzerland where seminarians could be trained in the pre-Vatican II Mass.

Paul VI’s successor, Pope John Paul II[12] tried to mend fences with Lefebvre and his followers, but ended up excommunicating him in 1988[13] after the aging Lefebrve ordained four bishops to continue his movement.

Lefebvre’s death in 1991 did not end the movement[14] to return to the Latin Mass.

Although the traditionalist movement was not particularly large, it remained persistent. In 2007, Pope Benedict XVI[15] expanded the use of the traditional Latin Mass[16]. In an apparent olive branch to traditionalists[17], Benedict said at the time that everyone “has a place in the church.”

After consulting with bishops around the world, Pope Francis has now concluded that Benedict’s approach backfired. Expansion of the Latin Mass had, in Francis’ words[18], been “exploited to widen the gaps, reinforce the divergences, and encourage disagreements that injure the Church, block her path, and expose her to the peril of division.” As a result, the pope announced rules including preventing bishops from authorizing any new group wishing to use the Latin Mass, requiring them to personally approve any use of the Latin Mass, and preventing groups wishing to use the Latin Mass from worshipping at regular churches. This is more or less a return to the conditions before Pope Benedict acted.

‘What we pray is what we believe’

The history of the Latin Mass controversy is important to understand the position in which Pope Francis found himself and the Catholic Church. But some other things are important, too.

There is a saying in Catholic theology[19]: “Lex orandi, lex credendi.” Loosely translated, it means that “what we pray is what we believe.”

This means that prayer and the Mass are not isolated realities. How Catholics conduct the Mass says something about what Catholics believe. And since Pope Benedict widened the Latin Mass’ availability, two different ways of praying had begun to signify two different, competing communities within the Catholic Church.

Many people prefer the Latin Mass purely for its beauty, and not all of those people are uncomfortable with Pope Francis’ leadership. But many traditionalists are, and their views are not confined to prayer and Mass. The worldview that many in the traditionalist movement share with someone like Archbishop Lefebvre, who supported such far-right political leaders as Jean-Marie Le Pen in France, Spain’s Francisco Franco and Augusto Pinochet in Chile[20], is very uncomfortable with the modern world. It does not fit with Francis’ vision of a Catholic Church aligned with open societies and on the side of the oppressed.

Traditionalists opposed to Pope Francis have found a refuge inside communities that celebrate the Latin Mass[21]. It has insulated them from the direction in which Francis has been trying to take the church.

Restricting the traditional Latin Mass as he has, it seems that that Pope Francis is challenging traditionalists to be part of the same church as he is.

Schism or not, a defining moment

Some people have wondered whether Pope Francis will cause a schism[22], a permanent division in the church, with the new ruling.

[Over 100,000 readers rely on The Conversation’s newsletter to understand the world. Sign up today[23].]

That seems like the wrong question. In my view, the divisions were already there and would remain there whether or not Francis limited the traditional Latin Mass.

The church unity Pope Benedict had hoped would follow the expansion of the traditional Latin Mass has not happened, the Vatican has concluded. How traditionalists respond to Francis’ new restrictions will tell us much about the church’s future – and may prove to be the defining moment of the Francis papacy.

How limiting Latin Mass may become the defining moment for Pope Francis

References

  1. ^ traditional Latin Mass (www.vatican.va)
  2. ^ shock waves through the Roman Catholic Church (www.ncregister.com)
  3. ^ scholar who studies the Catholic Church (ctu.edu)
  4. ^ widespread variation in the Mass (www.newadvent.org)
  5. ^ Council of Trent (www.newadvent.org)
  6. ^ with the help of the newly invented printing press (theconversation.com)
  7. ^ Second Vatican Council (www.npr.org)
  8. ^ Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre (sspx.org)
  9. ^ he commented (www.washingtonpost.com)
  10. ^ Pope Paul VI (www.vatican.va)
  11. ^ suspended Lefebvre (www.ncronline.org)
  12. ^ Pope John Paul II (www.vatican.va)
  13. ^ excommunicating him in 1988 (www.chicagotribune.com)
  14. ^ did not end the movement (fsspx.org)
  15. ^ Pope Benedict XVI (www.vatican.va)
  16. ^ expanded the use of the traditional Latin Mass (www.vatican.va)
  17. ^ apparent olive branch to traditionalists (www.ncronline.org)
  18. ^ words (www.vatican.va)
  19. ^ saying in Catholic theology (www.usccb.org)
  20. ^ far-right political leaders as Jean-Marie Le Pen in France, Spain’s Francisco Franco and Augusto Pinochet in Chile (timesmachine.nytimes.com)
  21. ^ found a refuge inside communities that celebrate the Latin Mass (www.americamagazine.org)
  22. ^ will cause a schism (www.wsj.com)
  23. ^ Sign up today (theconversation.com)

Read more https://theconversation.com/how-limiting-latin-mass-may-become-the-defining-moment-for-pope-francis-164826

The Times Features

Why Regional Small Businesses in Bendigo Deserve Better Access to Finance in 2025

In the heart of regional Victoria, Bendigo has long stood as a beacon of innovation, resilience and community spirit. As we step further into 2025, the importance of nurturing sm...

Is It Time for a Deep Cleaning? Signs You Shouldn’t Ignore

Most people know they should visit the dentist for a regular check-up and cleaning every six months. But sometimes, a standard cleaning isn’t enough. When plaque and tartar build...

The Hidden Meaning Behind Popular Engagement Ring Cuts

When it comes to engagement rings, the cut of the diamond is not just about aesthetics. Each shape carries its own symbolism and significance, making it an important decision for...

Annual Health Exams in the Office: How They Can Reduce Sick Days and Healthcare Costs

Regular health check-ups, especially annual health exams in the office, can significantly impact the overall well-being of your workforce. A proactive approach to employee health...

Best Deals on Home Furniture Online

Key Highlights Discover the best deals on high-quality outdoor furniture online. Transform your outdoor space into a stylish and comfortable oasis. Explore a wide range of d...

Discover the Best Women's Jumpers for Every Season

Key Highlights Explore lightweight jumpers for spring and summer, ensuring breathability and ease. Wrap up warm with cozy wool jumpers for the chilly autumn and winter season...

Times Magazine

The Essential Guide to Transforming Office Spaces for Maximum Efficiency

Why Office Fitouts MatterA well-designed office can make all the difference in productivity, employee satisfaction, and client impressions. Businesses of all sizes are investing in updated office spaces to create environments that foster collaborat...

The A/B Testing Revolution: How AI Optimized Landing Pages Without Human Input

A/B testing was always integral to the web-based marketing world. Was there a button that converted better? Marketing could pit one against the other and see which option worked better. This was always through human observation, and over time, as d...

Using Countdown Timers in Email: Do They Really Increase Conversions?

In a world that's always on, where marketers are attempting to entice a subscriber and get them to convert on the same screen with one email, the power of urgency is sometimes the essential element needed. One of the most popular ways to create urg...

Types of Software Consultants

In today's technology-driven world, businesses often seek the expertise of software consultants to navigate complex software needs. There are several types of software consultants, including solution architects, project managers, and user experienc...

CWU Assistive Tech Hub is Changing Lives: Win a Free Rollator Walker This Easter!

🌟 Mobility. Independence. Community. All in One. This Easter, the CWU Assistive Tech Hub is pleased to support the Banyule community by giving away a rollator walker. The giveaway will take place during the Macleod Village Easter Egg Hunt & Ma...

"Eternal Nurture" by Cara Barilla: A Timeless Collection of Wisdom and Healing

Renowned Sydney-born author and educator Cara Barilla has released her latest book, Eternal Nurture, a profound collection of inspirational quotes designed to support mindfulness, emotional healing, and personal growth. With a deep commitment to ...

LayBy Shopping