This Must Simply Be Defied

Cardinal Cupich in Chicago has issued a diktat that purports to prohibit the Traditional Mass throughout the Archdiocese of Chicago on the first Sunday of the Month, during Triduum, and at Christmas. He demands a scad of other restrictions on the Mass, sacraments, priests and faithful. Actual document here. Fr. Z analyzes it in a good post at his blog.

To all the dear readers out there who used to like to say that I am too likely to jump the gun on things that may never happen, can I assume that you see that, now, THIS IS IT. THIS IS HAPPENING. ONE OF THE WORST OF THE MANY HORRIBLE BISHOPS INFESTING THE CHURCH IS TRYING TO ELIMINATE THE CELEBRATION OF THE TRADITIONAL MASS FOR ABOUT 1/4 OF THE YEAR,, AND ALSO ON OUR HIGHEST HOLY DAYS. NOT TO MENTION AXING THE OTHER TRADITIONAL SACRAMENTAL FORMS.

There is only one Catholic way to respond to this anti-Catholic, anti-Christ, invalid and illegal “policy”.

DEFY THIS POLICY AT EVERY STEP AND RESIST HIM TO HIS FACE.

Let us reiterate our premises, so that one can clearly see the consequences of letting these people get away with outrage after outrage, hoping it will somehow all work out:

1. Pope St. Pius V in Quo Primum guaranteed the right of every priest in the Roman Rite to celebrate the TLM; he stated that nobody could force a priest to do otherwise. He guaranteed the faithful, therefore, the right to assist at this Mass, which he prohibited anyone from attempting to abrogate. Ever. He made Quo Primum perpetual.
2. The TLM cannot be abrogated due to its antiquity alone which, aside from more theological considerations best left to theologians, gives the priests and faithful the right to it by force of law.
3. The non-abrogation of the TLM was confirmed by Pope Benedict XVI in Summorum Pontificum and its accompanying instruction letter. Note he did not exercise any act of power to “resurrect” the TLM, he merely confirmed a preexisting fact.
4. If no Pope can abrogate the TLM, then no antipope can abrogate it, and no bishop or cardinal can do so either.
5. Moreover, even if a real pope could abrogate the TLM, no bishop or cardinal on his own could do it.
6. Furthermore, even if a real pope could abrogate the TLM, and even if a real pope issued Traditionis Custodes, the hate-ball that is Traditionis Custodes did not abrogate the TLM because of the incompetence of its writers, who failed to use the type of specific legal language necessary under canon law in order to take the extraordinary step of abrogating laws established via immemorial custom.

All of the above leads to the following conclusion regarding Cardinal Cupich’s new policy: IT IS COMPLETELY INVALID AND ILLEGAL. IT DOESN’T BIND. IT DOESN’T MATTER. IT MUST BE DEFIED.

There is no indication in the policy that it does not apply to Societies of Apostolic Life or other groups whose charter grants them the right to the TLM. In the policy document itself, it states that priests who request permission to celebrate the TLM in the Archdiocese of Chicago must include “a statement of agreement to abide by the norms set forth in this document” and also states that “in the churches oratories, or chapels” in which there are already groups celebrating the TLM, the priest ministering to these groups can request to continue this practice “except for the days noted”.

Oh, and by the way, all other traditional sacraments are out. Case-by-case exceptions can be requested, but not for ordinations or confirmations.

It is no coincidence that Bergoglio’s favorite toady in the U.S. is issuing this, and it is no coincidence that the U.S. headquarters of the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest is located in Chicago. How will they respond to this outrage to Christ the King? People have speculated for years about what would happen when the Ecclesia Dei communities were pushed over a line that could not be crossed, consistent with their charisms. We may soon find out.

As an aside, I don’t see how, without pointing to Quo Primum, the Canons Regular of St. John Cantius (which celebrates both the TLM and N.O. in their beautiful church in Chicago) can celebrate the TLM on the proscribed days. Their reaction will be most interesting. I am not hopeful, but would be glad to post how wrong I was should they hold the line.

Finally, and this is only my opinion, but I believe this attack on the TLM and the Sacraments is an existential crisis for the TLM communities. A present crisis. Here, now, taking place in Chicago but affecting the whole, long before any Bergoglio thug comes to “visit”. If the faithful who desire the ancient Mass aren’t given it by one group, they will go elsewhere as long as there is an “elsewhere”. If there is no “elsewhere”, those who would be willing to assist at the N.O. would likely go to the closest halfway-decent parish near them. If these groups will not ordain their priests according to the traditional forms, then their vocations will likely also dry up. To put it mildly, it may be hard for a group without charism, priests, faithful, or money to exist.

Yes, Bergoglio and his cabal know this very well. If he is not stopped, these groups will cease to exist. Whether this occurs by unjust discipline and censures, or by the abandonment of their charism hardly matters.

Cardinal Burke has splendidly led by example in the wake of Traditionis Custodes by publicly celebrating the TLM. It sends a visible message that people will rally around. I pray His Eminence will continue to lead by ordaining priests in the traditional ritual. I think it only takes one Cardinal, or perhaps a few bishops, to render this attack a dead letter.

If any of the former Ecclesia Dei communities simply ignores the invalid orders of this anti-Catholic cabal and just– simply, resolutely– celebrates the Mass of the Ages as before, it would render this attack a dead letter.

Please, dear Catholic priests and bishops, stand!

Our Lady of Fatima, pray for us!