World News

Paul Waddington reports on the effect of Traditionis Custodes around the globe

Three months after its promulgation, it seems that the impact of Traditionis Custodes, has not been as great as many had feared. An analysis of the responses of the bishops of 234 dioceses in 26 countries, has revealed that in 76% of the dioceses, the provision of Latin Masses is continuing unaffected. In a further 14% of the dioceses, Latin Masses continue with some restrictions; and only in 10% of dioceses has a complete ban been imposed. Although the survey is not based on a random sample, and is biased towards English speaking countries, it is sufficiently broad to draw conclusions for most of the countries where the Latin Mass has a significant following.

In most cases where bishops have allowed the Latin Mass to continue as before, the authorisation is qualified with a phrase such as “for the time being”, so the long term consequences are uncertain. However, it seems that most of these bishops have no intention of applying any restrictions in the near future.

Where restrictions have been imposed, the bishops have mostly applied them to diocesan priests, leaving the priestly societies that only offer the traditional form of the Mass unaffected. However, there are exceptions, and there are at least two cases where these societies have been asked to leave the diocese.

Costa Rica

An early and particularly harsh response came from Central America, where the Bishops’ Conference of Costa Rica issued a statement on 19 July, declaring that, “from now on the use of the Missale Romanum of 1962 or any other expression of the liturgy prior to 1962 is not authorised”. The statement continued: “no priest is authorised to continue celebrating according to the ancient liturgies.” This response is notable, not only for its uncompromising tone, but also because a single policy covers the whole of an Episcopal Conference.

Mexico

Also in Central America, the Archbishop of Guadalajara, one of the largest dioceses in Mexico has supressed the parish of St Peter in Chains. This personal parish had been run by the Priestly Fraternity of St Peter, and was the centre of their activities in the country. The Order had established a house of formation there, which was successful in attracting vocations. The archbishop has also curtailed the number of Latin Masses elsewhere in the diocese.

South America

Latin Mass provision on the continent of South America was not great before the motu proprio, and is set to diminish further. There are reports from Brazil, Ecuador and Chile that bishops have either suppressed all Latin Masses in their Diocese, or severely curtailed their provision.

In the Pope’s own country of Argentina, where the Latin Mass is only offered at four locations, the sitting bishops do not seem to have made any public statements on the matter. However, Archbishop Hector Rueben Aguer, the Bishop Emeritus of La Plata is reported to have said that the restrictions of the Traditional Latin Mass in Traditionis Custodes “involve a regrettable step backwards”.

USA and Canada

Out of the 91 dioceses in the United States included in the survey, only in one case is there a total ban on Latin Masses continuing, although restrictions have been applied in a further seven dioceses. In 83 dioceses (91%), Latin Masses continue as before.

However, there are some disturbing reports. The rector of the North American College, a large and influential seminary in Rome serving the USA and Canada (usually referred to as the NAC) has announced that all Masses in the Extraordinary Form will be permanently suspended, and that the Extraordinary Form will no longer be taught to seminarians. The statement continues “the college will no longer supply liturgical items used in the older form of the Mass”.

Whilst it seems that in most Canadian dioceses Latin Masses will be allowed to continue, there are exceptions. In the francophone parish of Sacre Coeur in Winnipeg, it is reported that Latin Masses have been supressed and that the priest has been placed on leave. A Saturday Mass in the Diocese of Hamilton has also been suppressed.

Europe

In France, which is often the flashpoint for heated arguments about Latin Mass provision, the Episcopal Conference lost no time in issuing a statement that was clearly intended to calm the debate. It stated that the bishops had “esteem” for those who adhered to the traditional rites, and wished to “pursue dialogue” with them. Indeed, it does seem that on the whole the French bishops have been restrained in their response to the motu proprio, with the vast majority of Latin Masses continuing as before. However, this is not so in Paris, where Archbishop Michel Aupetit has reduced the number of Latin Masses offered by diocesan priests from fifteen to five.

Reports from other European countries suggest that, at least for the time being, the vast majority of bishops are allowing Latin Masses to continue as before, although there are reports of some cancellations in Germany, Spain and the Czech Republic.

Africa

Very little news has emerged from Africa, where the Latin Mass is not very widespread, although it is offered in several countries. Reports from Uganda and South Africa suggest that the few Latin Masses offered in those countries are continuing. In the absence of reports from elsewhere, it can be assumed that Traditionis Custodes has had little impact on the African continent.

Australia and New Zealand

In the Archdiocese of Melbourne, there has been some confusion. Early reports that all Latin Masses in the diocese had been cancelled were later rescinded. However, there is confirmation of fairly extensive Latin Mass cancellations elsewhere, including in the dioceses of Sale, Ballarat and Sandhurst. Overall, it seems that Latin Mass provision in Australia has been affected more severely than it has in Europe or North America. Latin Masses have also been cancelled in two New Zealand dioceses.

Philippines

There are reports that the Latin Mass has been supressed in some dioceses, although the extent of the restrictions is not clear.