Too much ado with Latin
By Farah G. Decano
IT saddens me to read on social media and in online news some strongly worded dissensions against Pope Francis’ recent reiteration on “Traditionis Custodes.” The July 16, 2021 decree is perceived by traditionalists as a restriction of Latin Holy Masses.
While his predecessors, Pope John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI, were more liberal in the use of this ancient language in liturgical gatherings, the Holy Father mandated bishops to seek permission from the Vatican prior to its use. Pope Francis explained that his legal order was released to prevent division in Church and to safeguard communion. His issuance finds support from the teachings of the Second Vatican Convention which aim to make the Church more accessible to laity. Vatican II directs the use of the vernacular in masses to encourage more participation from the congregation.
I probably had attended a little more than a hundred of tridentine masses as a young adult. While I only understood a few words during these holy celebrations and could hardly respond without a guidebook, I knew what was going on. The priests performed the same rituals as other masses, henceforth, I recognized the parts of the solemnities. I was aware when to kneel, when to stand, and when to bow my head.
I personally like Holy Masses celebrated in Latin. I was drawn by the sound, somberness, and the history that went along with it. To me, attending Latin Masses was akin to connecting myself with and honoring the glorious past of the faith. Each time I heard mass in that archaic language, it felt like a concelebration of the Catholic Creed with my ancestors who stood up for the belief despite the temptations of convenience and luxury presented by other religions.
I may romanticize Latin Masses, but I do not join the so-called “tradicals” – shortened term for traditionalist radicals – in resisting the Pope’s July 16 decree.
It is not good for the organization that takes care of the spiritual well-being of its faithful to be riddled with publicized cracks and in-fighting. It is better for the tradical bishops and their supporters to take up their resistance in the proper forum. The next Synod of Bishops will be in October 2023 and October 2024. A synod is described by Pope Francis as an ecclesiastical event wherein questions of discipline, administration, and the faith may be discussed. The laity are likewise invited to this so-called journey into a thorough discernment of the times.
The tradicals fall into fallacy whenever they claim that the July 16 Traditionis Custodes is tantamount to subservience of the faith to modernism. Worse, they try to divert the issue by branding the controversial legal order as irrelevant in the midst of graver concerns such as sex scandals among priests. Worst, they beam with pride by branding their rebellious actions as “holy intransigence.”
Frankly, there is nothing holy about their intransigence because these radical fundamentalists only contribute to the further disintegration of the Catholic Church. They must be reminded that the Pope did not prohibit the use of Latin Masses. He merely ordered the bishops to seek authorization from the Vatican for its use. In other words, the use of this ancient language is merely regulated.
In an organization that puts premium to the obedience of its shepherds, what is wrong with seeking permission from the Vatican? Where is this too much public ado about Latin coming from? Oh yes, I am seeing the culprit. It is coming from hearts that lack humility. I pray that that no priest will not reach the point of uttering, “non-serviam.”
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