Our dear friend and reader Mr. Peter Karl T. Perkins has prepared the following report, which will be updated in the comment box. All readers who wish to add new and up-to-date information are welcome to do so.
[DIOCESAN AND SSPX COMPARISON - UPDATE AT THE END OF POST]
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As the doctrinal talks with the S.S.P.X continue, many might wonder what effect a public recognition of Society Masses (and preferably all faculties) might have. It is unlikely that Bishop Fellay can ask for regularisation (even on provisional grounds) owing to firm statements about this in the past. He will not do so until agreements have been reached on doctrine, and the other leaders of the Society would likely not accept a regularisation before this time.
In the past, it is likely that Rome did not recognise the ability of Society Masses to fulfil the Sunday obligation mainly because this might cause the faithful to abandon the New Mass in large numbers. It might have caused great division. So Rome let time pass, during which most faithful came to accept, even if sometimes reluctantly, the New Mass. Then, starting in 1984, by a number of initiatives, Rome gradually ‘let out the rope’ to permit a return of the T.L.M. as an option. The result is that, today, there are far more regularised Latin Masses than there are Society Masses. The rate of growth of the Society has also declined markedly, although it continues to grow quite surely. It is very difficult to estimate the extent to which the growing numbers of approved Masses have taken support away from the S.S.P.X. Approved Masses have been very few in some of the poorer countries but the Society cannot easily afford to offer Masses in such places: the financial costs are great for this.
What we can estimate is the impact a recognition of Society Masses might have if done today, this year. Would this cause a grave crisis? Would there be an enormous exodus from the New Mass to the Society Masses, or even from regularised Traditional Latin Masses to Society Masses? I argue here that the effect of such a recognition would be small in the short term but very important in the longer term. Therefore, it is safe for Benedict XVI to proceed with this, since he will not be Pope when the real effects are felt! The main effect of creating a ‘free-ranging’ S.S.P.X is secondary; It would induce obstructive bishops gradually to allow their priests to offer the T.L.M. without being penalised for doing so (e.g. by transfer to poor parishes or hospice chaplaincies). No bishop wants to have his authority undermined. Therefore, no bishop wants to have a free-ranging supplier of Masses to entire *his* bailiwick and attract people out of *his* Novus Ordo Masses (which are often singalong travesties). Most bishops in Western countries are already allowing a few Traditional Latin Masses. They would quietly encourage a few more to keep the S.S.P.X at bay.
My first point is that Benedict XVI has nothing to fear from liberal bishops if he announces publicly that the Society Masses fulfil the Sunday obligation to assist at Mass. In fact, he could even recognise Society faculties and the response from liberal bishops would be muted and not very effective. The main reason is that regularised Masses are now very common and as widely distributed in most countries as are Society Masses. I invite comment as I provide some statistics for various countries over the coming days. Before turning to specific countries, I here show changes in numbers of dioceses per country having at least one every-Sunday Traditional Latin Mass. These figures are all for regularised Masses, celebrated in full unity with local bishops:
I compare figures for 2005, when this pontificate began, and 2010. In each row I name first the country, then the number of dioceses offering at least one every-Sunday T.L.M. in 2005, then the same figure for 2010. Note the changes:
France: 65, (74 in 2008 & therefore little increase since S.P.), 78.
Italy: 15, (41 in 2008), 52 (more than a trebling since 2005).
Germany: 10, 23 (more than a doubling since 2005).
Spain: 3, 12 (quadrupling since 2005).
Poland: 6, 14 (more than a doubling since 2005).
Portugal: 0, 1.
Austria: 5, 7.
Switzerland: 3, 4.
Belgium: 5, 6.
Netherlands: 1, 3 (important increase but loss of Rotterdam, the one in 2005).
England: 9, 17 (almost a doubling and about to be complete [news coming from Arundel & Brighton]).
Scotland: 2, 3.
Ireland: 4, 6 (like Canada and the Philippines, Ireland is a ‘treading water’ country with ups & downs).
Wales: 0, 1.
Philippines: 5, 5 (there was a substantial increase and then a fall back to 5!)
Australia: 10, 11.
New Zealand: 2, 5 (huge increase: only one more diocese to go!)
U.S.A.: 112, 149 (substantial increase mostly from 2007 to 2009).
Canada: 11, 15 (after a rise to 17 in 2009)
Mexico: 1, 4.
Brazil: 7, 21 (trebling of numbers and not at all comparable to any other country in Latin America)
Argentina: 2, 2 (real obstruction from Bergoglio and company)
Colombia: 1, 2.
Peru: 1, 2.
South Africa: 0, 1.
Gabon: 1, 2 (credit to the I.C.R.)
Nigeria: 1, 1.
Hungary: 1, 3.
Czech Republic: 1, 4 (Olomouc just added this week).
Slovakia: 0, 1.
Ecuador: 0, 1.
Sweden: 0, 1.
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TRADITIONAL LATIN MASS REPORTS FOR
EVERY-SUNDAY, REGULARISED & S.S.P.X,
BY CONTINENT, COUNTRY AND SEE, 2005, 2008 & 2010
[EUROPE, AMERICAS, AFRICA, ASIA, OCEANIA]
- A. EUROPE
- 1. BELGIUM (8 sees)
2005 - Regularised: 5 sees
2008 - Regularised: 13 Masses in 6 sees
S.S.P.X: 9 Masses in 5 sees
2010 - 15 Masses in 5 sees
S.S.P.X: 6 Masses in 4 sees
- 2. NETHERLANDS (7 sees)
2005 -
2008 - Regularised: 1 Mass in 1 see
S.S.P.X: 4 Masses in 3 sees
2010 - Regularised: 5 Masses in 3 sees
S.S.P.X: 2 Masses in 2 sees
- 3. LUXEMBOURG (1 Archdiocese):
2010 - Regularised: 1 Mass in 1 see
S.S.P.X: no presence
- 4. FRANCE (93 sees)
2005 - Regularised: 65 in 78 sees
2008 - Regularised: 85 Masses in 75 sees
S.S.P.X: 214 Masses in 73 sees
2010 - Regularised: 201 Masses in 78 sees
S.S.P.X: 215 Masses in 75 sees
89% of the faithful live in a see having an approved every-Su. T.L.M.
This would rise to 96% if the S.S.P.X Masses were recognised by Rome
- 5. GERMANY (28 sees)
2005 - Regularised: 10 sees
2008 - Regularised: 50 Masses in 22 sees
S.S.P.X: 59 Masses in 22 sees
2010 - Regularised: 54 Masses in 23 sees
S.S.P.X: 64 Masses in 19 sees
- 6. AUSTRIA (9 sees)
2005 - Regularised: 5 sees
2008 - Regularised: 10 Masses in 7 sees
S.S.P.X: 10 Masses in 7 sees
2010 - Regularised: 13 Masses in 7 sees
S.S.P.X: 11 Masses in 7 sees
- 7. SWITZERLAND (6 sees)
2005 - Regularised: 3 sees
2008 - Regularised: 27 Masses in 3 sees
S.S.P.X: 39 Masses in 5 sees
2010 - Reguarlised: 29 Masses in 4 sees
S.S.P.X: 40 Masses in 5 sees
- 8. LIECHTENSTEIN (1 Archdiocese)
2010 - Regularised: 1 Mass in 1 see (same as 2008)
S.S.P.X: No presence (same as 2008)
- 9. ITALY (214 sees)
2005 - Regularised: 15 sees
2008 - Regularised: 67 Masses in 41 sees
S.S.P.X: 11 Masses in 10 sees
2010 - Regularised: 52 sees
S.S.PX: 15 sees
49% of the faithful live in a see having an approved every-Su. T.L.M.;
26%, in one having an every-Su. S.S.P.X Mass.
- 10. SPAIN (69 sees)
2005 - Regularised: 3 sees
2008 - Regularised: 13 Masses in 9 sees
S.S.P.X: 3 Masses in 2 sees
2010 - Regularised: 16 Masses in 11 sees
S.S.P.X: 4 Masses in 2 sees
35% of the Spanish faithful live in a see that has an approved every-Su. T.L.M.
- 11. PORTUGAL (20 sees)
2005 -
2008 - Regularised: no presence
S.S.P.X: 2 Masses in 2 sees
2010 - Regularised: 2 Masses in 1 diocese
S.S.P.X: 2 Masses in 1 patriarchal archdiocese
- 12. ENGLAND & WALES (22 sees)
2005 - Regularised: 9 sees
2008 - Regularised: 23 Masses in 14 sees
S.S.P.X: 16 Masses in 12 sees
2010 - Regularised: 38 Masses in 19 sees (1 Mass in Wales)
S.S.P.X.: 18 Masses in 12 sees (none in Wales)
98% of faithful in England & Wales now live in a diocese having an every-Su. T.L.M.
- 13. SCOTLAND (8 sees)
2005 - Regularised: 2 sees
2008 - Regularised: 3 Masses in 3 sees
S.S.P.X: 2 Masses in 2 sees
2010 - Regularised: 3 Masses in 3 sees
S.S.P.X: 3 Masses in 3 sees (the same three, including Aberdeen)
- 14. IRELAND (26 sees)
2005 - Regularised: 4 sees
2008 - Regularised: 4 Masses in 4 sees
S.S.P.X: 6 Masses in 4 sees
2010 - Regularised: 6 or 7 Masses in 6 or 7 sees (status of Tuam uncertain)
S.S.P.X: 6 Masses in 5 sees
- 15. POLAND (40 sees)
2005 - Regularised: 6 sees
2008 - Regularised: 9 Masses in 9 sees
S.S.P.X: 15 Masses in 10 sees
2010 - Regularised: 16 Masses in 12 sees
S.S.P.X: 12 Masses in 10 sees
2005 -
2008 - Regularised: 3 Masses in 3 sees
S.S.P.X: 1 Mass in 1 see
2010 - Regularised: 7 Masses in 4 sees
S.S.P.X: none listed every Sunday
2005 -
2008 - Regularised: 1 Mass
S.S.P.X: none.
2010 - Regularised: 1 Mass.
S.S.P.X: none.
2005 -
2008 - Regularised: 2 Masses in 2 sees
S.S.P.X: none.
2010 - Regularised: 3 Masses in 3 sees
S.S.P.X: none.
2005 -
2008 - Regularised: 1 Mass.
S.S.P.X: none.
2010 - Regularised: 2 Masses in 1 see
S.S.P.X: none.
2005 -
2008 - Regularised: 1 Mass
S.S.P.X: none.
2010 - Regularised: 1 Mass
S.S.P.X: 2 Masses in 2 sees
2005 -
2008 - Regularised: 2 Masses in 1 A.A.
S.S.P.X: none.
2010 - Unchanged.
2008 - Regularised: 9 Masses in 9 sees
S.S.P.X: 15 Masses in 10 sees
2010 - Regularised: 16 Masses in 12 sees
S.S.P.X: 12 Masses in 10 sees
- 16. CZECH REPUBLIC (8 sees)
2005 -
2008 - Regularised: 3 Masses in 3 sees
S.S.P.X: 1 Mass in 1 see
2010 - Regularised: 7 Masses in 4 sees
S.S.P.X: none listed every Sunday
- 17. SLOVAKIA (6 sees)
2005 -
2008 - Regularised: 1 Mass
S.S.P.X: none.
2010 - Regularised: 1 Mass.
S.S.P.X: none.
- 18. HUNGARY (12 sees)
2005 -
2008 - Regularised: 2 Masses in 2 sees
S.S.P.X: none.
2010 - Regularised: 3 Masses in 3 sees
S.S.P.X: none.
- 19. SLOVENIA (6 sees)
2005 -
2008 - Regularised: 1 Mass.
S.S.P.X: none.
2010 - Regularised: 2 Masses in 1 see
S.S.P.X: none.
- 20. LITHUANIA (8 sees)
2005 -
2008 - Regularised: 1 Mass
S.S.P.X: none.
2010 - Regularised: 1 Mass
S.S.P.X: 2 Masses in 2 sees
- 21. ESTONIA (1 Apostolic Administration)
2005 -
2008 - Regularised: 2 Masses in 1 A.A.
S.S.P.X: none.
2010 - Unchanged.
- 22. BYELORUSSIA [BELARUS] (4 sees)
2005 -
2008 - Regularised: none.
S.S.P.X: none.
2010 - Regularised: 1 Mass.
S.S.P.X: none.
- 23. SWEDEN (1 diocese)
2005 -
2008 - Regularised: 2 Masses in 1 diocese
S.S.P.X: none.
2010 - Unchanged.
Eastern Divine Liturgies are available every Sunday in Malta (Greek Use), Greece, Macedonia, Albania, Bulgaria, Romania, the Ukraine (Ukrainian & Ruthenian Uses), Russia, Finland (Hungarian Use), Latvia (perhaps Russian Use), Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia, Croatia.
2005 - 11 sees.
2008 - Regularised: 23 Masses in 13 sees
S.S.P.X: 18 Masses in 13 sees
2010 - Regularised: 28 Masses in 14 sees
S.S.P.X: 19 Masses in 14 sees
2005 - Regularised: 112 sees
2008 - Regularised: 295 Masses in 137 sees
S.S.P.X: 108 Masses in 64 sees
2010 - Regularised: 358 Masses in 149 sees
S.S.P.X: 116 Masses in 62 dioceses
2005 -
2008 - Regularised: 1 Mass
S.S.P.X: 9 Masses in 6 sees
2010 - Regularised: 11 Masses in 5 sees
S.S.P.X: 11 Masses in 7 sees
2005 -
2008 - Regularised: no presence
S.S.P.X: 1 Mass
2010 - Unchanged.
2005-
2008 - Regularised: no presence
S.S.P.X: 3 Masses in 2 sees
2010 - Regularised: no presence
S.S.P.X: 2 Masses in 2 sees
2005 -
2008 - Regularised: 34 Masses in 16 sees
S.S.P.X: 7 Masses in 6 sees
2010- Regularised: 39+ Masses in 22 sees
S.S.PX: 9 Masses in 6 sees
Special Note: The real number of Masses offered by the personal Apostolic Administration of St. John-Mary Vianney is mostly unpublished. The real number of approved Masses for Brazil today could be estimated to be about 50, but keep in mind that many of these are concentrated in the Campos area.
2005 -
2008 - Regularised: no presence (briefly before that in 2 sees)
S.S.P.X: 19 Masses in 8 sees.
2010 - Regularised: 2 Masses in 2 sees
S.S.P.X: 18 Masses in 9 sees
2005 -
2008 - Regularised: 7 Masses in 2 sees
S.S.P.X: 6 Masses in 2 sees
2010 - Regularised: 6 Masses in 2 sees
S.S.P.X: 6 Masses in 2 sees
2005 -
2008 - Regularised: 4 Masses in 2 sees
S.S.P.X: 5 Masses in 2 sees
2010 - Regularised: 6 Masses in 4 sees
S.S.P.X: 4 Masses in 2 sees
2005 -
2008 - Regularised: 1 Mass
S.S.P.X: no presence every Sunday despite having a chapel there
2010 - Regularised: 2 Masses in 2 sees
S.S.P.X: still not every-Sunday Masses at their chapel.
2005 -
2008 - Regularised: no presence
S.S.P.X: no presence
2010 - Regularised: 1 Mass in the Diocese of Guayaquil.
S.S.P.X: no presence
2005 -
2008 - Regularised: S.S.J. does not publish a schedule, D. of Ciudad del Este
S.S.P.X: no presence published every-Sunday
2010 - Unchanged.
Reports of the regularised Sunday Masses now being offered every Sunday at Montevideo remain unconfirmed.
There were reports of one priest offering our Mass privately (regularised). It seems he wants to keep the details private.
Nothing to report for Venezuela or the Guyanas. The S.S.P.X has Masses in Trinidad & Tobago at Port-of-Spain but they are every day *except* Sunday. Nothing for the Falkland Islands, of course.
2005 - Regularised in 5 sees
2008 - Regularised: 7 Masses in 6 sees in 2007
S.S.P.X: 8 Masses in 2 sees
2010 - Regularised: 12 Masses in 7 sees
S.S.P.X: 5 Masses in 4 sees
2008 - Regularised: 2 Masses in 1 diocese
S.S.P.X: none.
2010 - Unchanged.
- 24. OTHER
Eastern Divine Liturgies are available every Sunday in Malta (Greek Use), Greece, Macedonia, Albania, Bulgaria, Romania, the Ukraine (Ukrainian & Ruthenian Uses), Russia, Finland (Hungarian Use), Latvia (perhaps Russian Use), Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia, Croatia.
- B. NORTH AMERICA
- 1. CANADA
2005 - 11 sees.
2008 - Regularised: 23 Masses in 13 sees
S.S.P.X: 18 Masses in 13 sees
2010 - Regularised: 28 Masses in 14 sees
S.S.P.X: 19 Masses in 14 sees
- 2. U.S.A.
2005 - Regularised: 112 sees
2008 - Regularised: 295 Masses in 137 sees
S.S.P.X: 108 Masses in 64 sees
2010 - Regularised: 358 Masses in 149 sees
S.S.P.X: 116 Masses in 62 dioceses
- 3. MEXICO
2005 -
2008 - Regularised: 1 Mass
S.S.P.X: 9 Masses in 6 sees
2010 - Regularised: 11 Masses in 5 sees
S.S.P.X: 11 Masses in 7 sees
- 4. GUATEMALA
2005 -
2008 - Regularised: no presence
S.S.P.X: 1 Mass
2010 - Unchanged.
- 5. DOMINICAN REPUBLIC
2005-
2008 - Regularised: no presence
S.S.P.X: 3 Masses in 2 sees
2010 - Regularised: no presence
S.S.P.X: 2 Masses in 2 sees
- C. SOUTH AMERICA
- 1. BRAZIL (260 sees)
2005 -
2008 - Regularised: 34 Masses in 16 sees
S.S.P.X: 7 Masses in 6 sees
2010- Regularised: 39+ Masses in 22 sees
S.S.PX: 9 Masses in 6 sees
Special Note: The real number of Masses offered by the personal Apostolic Administration of St. John-Mary Vianney is mostly unpublished. The real number of approved Masses for Brazil today could be estimated to be about 50, but keep in mind that many of these are concentrated in the Campos area.
- 2. ARGENTINA (64 sees)
2005 -
2008 - Regularised: no presence (briefly before that in 2 sees)
S.S.P.X: 19 Masses in 8 sees.
2010 - Regularised: 2 Masses in 2 sees
S.S.P.X: 18 Masses in 9 sees
- 3. CHILE (26 sees)
2005 -
2008 - Regularised: 7 Masses in 2 sees
S.S.P.X: 6 Masses in 2 sees
2010 - Regularised: 6 Masses in 2 sees
S.S.P.X: 6 Masses in 2 sees
- 4. COLOMBIA (74 sees)
2005 -
2008 - Regularised: 4 Masses in 2 sees
S.S.P.X: 5 Masses in 2 sees
2010 - Regularised: 6 Masses in 4 sees
S.S.P.X: 4 Masses in 2 sees
- 5. PERU (44 sees)
2005 -
2008 - Regularised: 1 Mass
S.S.P.X: no presence every Sunday despite having a chapel there
2010 - Regularised: 2 Masses in 2 sees
S.S.P.X: still not every-Sunday Masses at their chapel.
- 6. ECUADOR (23 sees)
2005 -
2008 - Regularised: no presence
S.S.P.X: no presence
2010 - Regularised: 1 Mass in the Diocese of Guayaquil.
S.S.P.X: no presence
- 7. PARAGUAY (15 sees)
2005 -
2008 - Regularised: S.S.J. does not publish a schedule, D. of Ciudad del Este
S.S.P.X: no presence published every-Sunday
2010 - Unchanged.
- 8. URUGUAY (10 sees)
Reports of the regularised Sunday Masses now being offered every Sunday at Montevideo remain unconfirmed.
- 9. BOLIVIA (18 sees)
There were reports of one priest offering our Mass privately (regularised). It seems he wants to keep the details private.
- 10. OTHER
Nothing to report for Venezuela or the Guyanas. The S.S.P.X has Masses in Trinidad & Tobago at Port-of-Spain but they are every day *except* Sunday. Nothing for the Falkland Islands, of course.
- D. ASIA
- 1. PHILIPPINES
2005 - Regularised in 5 sees
2008 - Regularised: 7 Masses in 6 sees in 2007
S.S.P.X: 8 Masses in 2 sees
2010 - Regularised: 12 Masses in 7 sees
S.S.P.X: 5 Masses in 4 sees
- 2. INDIA
2008 - S.S.P.X: 7 Masses in 5 sees
2010 - S.S.P.X: 12 Masses in 7 sees
Current sees: Bombay, Madras & Mylapore, Goa & Damão, Kotar, Trivandrum, Tuticorin, Palayamkottai.
- 3. CEYLON [SRI LANKA]
No every-Sunday Masses from any source but two diocesan priests of the A. of Colombo are now in training or offering our Mass privately. The S.S.P.X has occasional Masses.
- 4. SINGAPORE
2 Masses in the Archdiocese from the S.S.P.X
No regularised Masses
- 5. CHINA
1 regularised every-Su. Mass at Hong Kong.
- 6. JAPAN
1 Mass at Tokyo, status uncertain.
- 7. LEBANON
2 Regularised every-Su. Masses at Beirut.
- E. AFRICA
- 1. NIGERIA
2005 - 1 Mass regularised
2008 - Regularised: 1 Mass
S.S.P.X: no presence
2010 - Regularised: 2 Masses in 2 sees
S.S.P.X: no presence
- 2. GABON
2005 - 3 Masses in 1 see
2008 - Regularised: 4 Masses in 2 sees
S.S.P.X: 2 Masses in the Archdiocese of Libreville
2010 - Regularised: 4 Masses in 2 sees (A. Libreville; D. Mouila)
S.S.P.X: 6 Masses in the Archdiocese of Libreville
- 3. BENIN
2008: 2 Masses in the D. of Natitingou
2010: unchanged
No S.S.P.X every-Sunday presence.
- 4. SOUTH AFRICA
2008 - Regularised: no presence
S.S.P.X: 7 Masses in 3 Archdioceses
2010 - Regularised: 1 Mass in Johannesburg
S.S.P.X: 7 Masses in 2 Archdioceses (Pretoria lost, it seems)
- 5. ZIMBABWE
2008: S.S.P.X, 1 Mass, A. Harare
2010: S.S.P.X, 2 Masses, A. Harare
No regularised presence
2008 - S.S.P.X, Mass at Nairobi, A.
- 6. KENYA
2008 - S.S.P.X, Mass at Nairobi, A.
2010 - S.S.P.X, 2 Masses at Nairobi
No regularised presence
There are Eastern Catholic Divine Liturgies every Sunday in Egypt, the Sudan (at Khartoum), Ethiopia, and Eritrea.
2005 - Regularised: 10 sees
2008 - Regularised: 21 Masses in 10 sees
S.S.P.X: 12 Masses in 8 sees
2010 - Regularised: 25 Masses in 11 sees
S.S.P.X: 19 Masses in 9 sees
2005 - Regularised: 2 Masses in 2 dioceses
2008 - Regularised: 10 Masses in 4 sees
S.S.P.X: 6 Masses in 4 sees
2010 - Regularised: 9 Masses in 5 sees
S.S.P.X: 6 Masses in 4 sees
S.S.P.X Masses include D. Hamilton, where there are no every-Su. regularised Masses. 5 of 6 N.Z. dioceses have every-Su. regularised T.L.M.s; 91% of New Zealanders live in these.
- 7. OTHERS
There are Eastern Catholic Divine Liturgies every Sunday in Egypt, the Sudan (at Khartoum), Ethiopia, and Eritrea.
- F. OCEANIA
- 1. AUSTRALIA
2005 - Regularised: 10 sees
2008 - Regularised: 21 Masses in 10 sees
S.S.P.X: 12 Masses in 8 sees
2010 - Regularised: 25 Masses in 11 sees
S.S.P.X: 19 Masses in 9 sees
- 2. NEW ZEALAND
2005 - Regularised: 2 Masses in 2 dioceses
2008 - Regularised: 10 Masses in 4 sees
S.S.P.X: 6 Masses in 4 sees
2010 - Regularised: 9 Masses in 5 sees
S.S.P.X: 6 Masses in 4 sees
S.S.P.X Masses include D. Hamilton, where there are no every-Su. regularised Masses. 5 of 6 N.Z. dioceses have every-Su. regularised T.L.M.s; 91% of New Zealanders live in these.
