Two prominent Catholic cardinals call for freedom to celebrate the Traditional Latin Mass as they voice concerns over ambiguity in Pope Francis’ teachings.
At a Glance
- Cardinals William Goh of Singapore and Salvatore Cordileone of San Francisco advocate for lifting restrictions on the Traditional Latin Mass
- Cardinal Goh argues there is no justification for restricting the Latin Mass as attendees “are not doing anything wrong or sinful”
- Both cardinals express concern over perceived lack of clarity in Pope Francis’ moral teachings
- Despite restrictions imposed in 2021, devotion to the Latin Mass continues to grow, particularly among young Catholics
- The cardinals suggest that embracing liturgical diversity would promote unity within the Church
Cardinals Advocate for Latin Mass Freedom
Cardinal William Goh Seng Chye of Singapore and Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone of San Francisco have jointly voiced support for lifting restrictions on the Traditional Latin Mass, arguing that such a move would promote unity within the Catholic Church. Their statements come amid ongoing debate following Pope Francis’ 2021 restrictions on the celebration of the pre-Vatican II liturgy, which had been more freely permitted under his predecessor, Pope Benedict XVI. The cardinals’ position represents a significant challenge to current Vatican policy from high-ranking Church officials concerned about both liturgical freedom and doctrinal clarity.
Archbishop Cordileone publicly endorsed Cardinal Goh’s call for liberation of the Traditional Latin Mass on social media, highlighting the potential benefits for Church unity. Cardinal Goh, who does not personally celebrate the Tridentine Mass, nevertheless defends those who prefer it, emphasizing that roughly 300 people in Singapore, primarily young professionals, attend this liturgy regularly. These Catholics, according to Goh, find the traditional form more conducive to reflection and contemplation in their spiritual lives.
Embracing Liturgical Diversity
Cardinal Goh frames his argument within the broader context of the Church’s historical acceptance of multiple liturgical rites. He points to existing diversity within Catholic worship, noting that the Church already embraces various Eastern rites such as the Syro-Malabar tradition. This precedent of liturgical pluralism, he suggests, should extend to those who prefer the Tridentine Mass, which was the standard form of Catholic worship for centuries before the introduction of the Novus Ordo Mass in 1969 following the Second Vatican Council.
Both cardinals emphasize that Traditional Latin Mass attendees are not rejecting Vatican II teachings, which would be the only legitimate cause for concern according to Cardinal Goh. He maintains that these Catholics simply prefer a different liturgical expression of the same faith, and states emphatically that “they are not doing anything wrong or sinful.” This distinction is crucial to their argument that restrictions on the Latin Mass are unnecessary and potentially harmful to Church unity.
Calls for Doctrinal Clarity
Beyond liturgical concerns, Cardinal Goh has raised pointed criticisms regarding what he perceives as ambiguity in Pope Francis’ doctrinal teachings. He specifically highlights areas related to marriage and LGBT issues where he believes papal statements have lacked necessary clarity. According to Goh, this vagueness has created confusion among bishops and cardinals about how to properly implement and explain Church teaching in their respective dioceses, potentially contributing to divisions within the global Catholic community.
Archbishop Cordileone’s prominence in American Catholic circles adds significant weight to this position. Recently appointed by former President Donald Trump to an advisory board for the Religious Liberty Commission, Cordileone joins Cardinal Timothy Dolan and Bishop Robert Barron as the third U.S. Catholic hierarchy member on this commission. His advocacy for both religious liberty in the public square and liturgical freedom within the Church reflects consistent principles regarding the rights of religious believers to practice their faith according to their conscience.
