What now for the Traditional Latin Mass?

Has Pope Francis permanently undermined the Traditional Latin Mass. TLM was the standard liturgy beginning with the Council of Trent until the Second Vatican Council. Unlike his predecessor, Benedict XVI – who lifted restrictions on the Mass – Pope Francis has issued two decrees reversing his predecessor’s edicts in the name of inclusivity. 

Not only has Francis seemingly gone against one of the things bringing Catholics back to the faith – especially young Catholics and new blood (note the case of Shia LaBeouf) – but the Pontiff may have permanently undermined TLM. Could a future Pope now reverse the current Pope’s decision after he had reversed the position of conservative lodestar, Benedict XVI?

Despite being seen as a source of disunity, studies suggest Latin Mass attendees are more observant and more likely to attend services than those who attend regular Mass. Controversy has stirred since studies suggest those who attend Latin Mass are more likely to subscribe to traditionalist views, something Pope Francis was no doubt aware of in his decrees. 

Yet, if this is the form of Mass which is attracting Catholics back – especially young Catholics – then why wouldn’t Pope Francis encourage it? Indeed, it is increasingly falling to lay Catholics to reaffirm traditional Catholic teaching. This happened most recently in Hungary, which followed Poland’s example, in massively tightening up abortion laws.

Unlike in the US, which turned decision-making back to states, the central and eastern European countries restricted abortion at the national level. Although the Church officially retains its opposition to abortion as well as artificial contraception as set out in Humanae vitae and bolstered by Veritatis splendor and Francis’s Amoris Laetitia, traditionalists have feared softening. 

That said, Amoris Laetitia reaffirmed teaching on contraception and condemned abortion, with references to Humanae Vitae and St. Pope John Paul II’s writings on contraception, adding “the conjugal union is ordered to procreation ‘by its very nature’.” The document also repeated the Church’s teaching on showing consideration to those in same-sex relationships. 

Much attention has been drawn recently however to the President of the Vatican’s Pontifical Academy for Life, who said an Italian law decriminalising abortion is a “pillar” of “social life” and “absolutely not” up for discussion. The Academy has also promoted Theological Ethics of Life, which calls for discussion on the role of conscience in use of contraception.

It seems some clerics – perhaps encouraged by the Pope’s messaging – are looking to chip away at the legacy of past popes. For his part, Pope Francis ended a requirement that Academy members sign a document promising to defend life in accordance with Church teaching. As with the Synodal Path, Francis may have let the genie out of the bottle.

In so doing, the Pontiff may have guaranteed any successor will have a fight on his hands to contain progressive elements and schismatic movements, if indeed they wish to fight at all. A continuity candidate may not. But what if a change candidate comes in and seeks to reverse say the decrees on TLM? Will that even be possible after two past popes introduced policies on the matter?

The Pope must know that what attracts people to Catholicism is how it differentiates from more liberal denominations, with the “smells and bells” connecting people to a more ancient form of worship which eludes them elsewhere. This is where TLM has a role, and little wonder those attracted to the TLM are also drawn to other traditionalist aspects of Catholicism.

Crucially, could a Cardinal Erdő – who has shown respect to those who prefer the Latin Mass – realistically reverse the current Pope’s decrees? Would a continuity candidate, like Cardinal Tagle, wish to? Pope Francis may have ensured the continuity of a policy which will continue to cement division yet undermine something actually attracting people to the faith.

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