Two prominent bishops are urging the Vatican to lift restrictions on the Traditional Latin Mass, citing growing support among young Catholics and calling for liturgical diversity within the Church.
At a Glance
- Cardinal William Goh and Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone have called for unrestricted celebration of the Traditional Latin Mass.
- Goh argues the Church should embrace diverse rites, citing the Syro-Malabar tradition as precedent.
- Cordileone described lifting restrictions on the 1962 Missal as “healing and unifying.”
- Both leaders warn of doctrinal confusion under Pope Francis, especially regarding marriage and LGBT issues.
- Young Catholics are increasingly drawn to the Latin Mass, viewing it as more contemplative and rooted in tradition.
Bishops Break Ranks on Latin Liturgy
Cardinal William Goh of Singapore and Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone of San Francisco have publicly challenged the Vatican’s restrictions on the Traditional Latin Mass, known as the Tridentine Rite. While not rejecting the Second Vatican Council, both leaders insist that devout Catholics who prefer the older liturgy “are not doing anything wrong or sinful.”
Cordileone amplified Goh’s stance on social media, calling the unrestricted use of the 1962 Missal “grand, healing, and unifying.” Goh, while personally not celebrating the Tridentine Mass, emphasized the need for inclusivity: “We should not suffocate those who prefer the Tridentine rite.”
A Rite of Unity, Not Division
Cardinal Goh’s defense of the Latin Mass rests on a broader theological principle: liturgical diversity. The Church already accommodates various rites—including the Syro-Malabar and Byzantine—under the same doctrinal umbrella. For Goh, extending that logic to the Latin Mass reflects not division, but unity through variety.
This perspective has gained traction, particularly as Pope Francis’ 2021 motu proprio, Traditionis Custodes, imposed sweeping limits on Latin Mass celebrations. The backlash was immediate and widespread, especially among younger Catholics and priests who see the rite as a vital connection to Church history.
Youth Drive Latin Mass Resurgence
In Singapore, about 300 people—most of them young professionals—regularly attend the Latin Mass. Globally, its resurgence is often led by millennials and Gen Z, who report being drawn to its reverence, solemnity, and connection to sacred tradition.
Advocates say the rite fosters deeper contemplation and spiritual discipline, in contrast to what some perceive as the casual tone of many post-Vatican II liturgies. The Latin Mass, codified after the Council of Trent, served as the Church’s universal form for nearly four centuries.
Rome’s Doctrinal Ambiguities
Beyond liturgical concerns, both Goh and Cordileone expressed unease about doctrinal ambiguity under Pope Francis, particularly surrounding teachings on marriage and homosexuality. Goh cautioned that many bishops and cardinals are struggling to implement teachings that lack precision and consistency.
He clarified that support for the Latin Mass doesn’t equate to rejecting Church authority. “Only if they were rejecting Vatican II would I consider discipline,” Goh said of Latin Mass devotees.
Toward a Harmonious Future?
This latest call for reform highlights the growing tension within the Catholic Church between traditional and progressive factions. While Rome insists that uniformity is needed to maintain unity, bishops like Goh and Cordileone argue the opposite: that true unity can accommodate tradition without sacrificing doctrine.
Whether the Vatican heeds their call remains uncertain. But the push for liturgical pluralism is gaining momentum—and with it, a renewed debate about the soul of modern Catholicism. As younger generations continue flocking to the Latin Mass, the Church must decide: is this nostalgia, or the future?
