Archbishop Gänswein: Benedict XVI’s path “is the right way,” Traditionis custodes “is and remains a mystery to me”

Archbishop Georg Gänswein, the former private secretary of Pope Benedict XVI and current nuncio to Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia, recently gave an interview to Athinea Andryszczak, broadcast in two parts (1, 2) on the German Catholic television station K-TV.

Immaculate Mother, the Mediatrix and Co-Redemptrix: "Every kind of grace we receive from the treasury of the redemption is ministered as it were from the hands of the Virgin."

Quæ est ista quæ progreditur quasi aurora consurgens, pulchra ut luna, electa ut sol, terribilis ut castrorum acies ordinata?

Who is she that cometh forth as the morning rising, fair as the moon, bright as the sun, terrible as an army set in array?

Canticles (Song of Solomon), vi, 9

***

Because the Doctors of the Church by common consent profess that, if the Most Blessed Virgin did not apparently have any participation in the public life of Jesus Christ, and then suddenly reappeared on the path to Calvary and under the Cross, she could not have been present without Divine design.

Pope Leo XIV Extends Apostolic Blessing to SSPX Chapel in North Carolina for Its 25th Anniversary

In a remarkable gesture of pastoral solicitude, Pope Leo XIV has extended an Apostolic Blessing to the Society of St. Pius X's chapel in the Charlotte Diocese of North Carolina:

Vatican II ended 60 years ago today - "The Smoke of Satan has entered the Temple of God - Doubt has entered through windows meant to be open to light - We believed it would be sunny: instead, darkness and clouds."

The Second Vatican Council ended 60 years ago today, on December 7, 1965 (the official end came on the next day, with the publication of several documents and messages, but December 7th was the last day of official business). You may read the still optimistic closing address by Paul VI here.

Seven years later, we can see through Paul VI's own eyes the devastation that followed the assembly: in his famous homily on the Feast of Saints Peter and Paul (June 29), 1972, Paul VI was not so optimistic anymore -- main excerpt:

Obedience in All Things but Sin?

 

By James Baresel

A priest of my diocese, who occasionally offers the Tridentine Mass on an as needed basis, has developed a habit of preaching on obedience every single time he does so—basing himself, sometimes explicitly, on Saint Alphonsus Liguori’s principle that it is never sinful to obey a superior’s command to do something which is not itself sinful. No attempt to explain just how the saint’s highly qualified statement might be relevant to the priest’s obvious implication has not, to my knowledge, ever been made.

Families and Children – Another View

A guest article by Joseph Bevan, in honor of the feast of St. Nicholas.

Pope Leo XIV on Music in the Liturgy

Music has always had an important role in Christian experience. In the liturgy, in particular, singing is never a “soundtrack”, a simple backdrop, but is intended to lift the soul to lead it as close as possible to the mystery that is celebrated. Saint Augustine, referring precisely to singing in prayer, wrote in his Comment on the Psalms: “You must sing to Him, but not out of tune. He does not wish for His ears to be offended. Sing with artistry, O brethren.” How important in music are care, commitment, artistry, and, finally, the harmony that comes from them: it is truly a precious gift that God has given to all humanity. ...

A Reply to John Lamont: In Defense of Christian Neoplatonism

Domenico Ghirlandaio, Dionysius the Areopagite with Thomas Aquinas, Madonna and the Child, 1486.

The following article by Dr. Sebastian Morello replies to Dr. John Lamont's critique of his work.

I was initially pleased to see that recently Rorate Caeli had published a critical essay by John Lamont on my writings. Given that Lamont has often shown himself to be a thoughtful writer, I was flattered that he deemed my work worthy of his critical engagement. Indeed, one of his essays is among the works cited in Mysticism, Magic, and Monasteries (see p. 105), the very work that has caused controversy among niche platforms of the internet. One can imagine my disappointment, then, when I read Lamont’s paper and found that, whilst it contained some interesting history of classical philosophy and its relationship with Christian intellectual culture, insofar as it claimed to respond to my writings, it comprised a sequence of attacks on straw men.

Francis-instituted Vatican Commission says NO to Female Diaconate - English Translation of Full Report

 Announced today -- report by Vatican News (followed by our translation of the full text of letter and report submitted to Pope Leo XIV):

Petrocchi Commission says no to female diaconate, though judgment not definitive

A report presenting the results of the Commission’s work has been released. It rules out admitting women to the diaconate understood as a degree of the sacrament of Holy Orders, but says that it is not currently possible “to formulate a definitive judgment, as in the case of priestly ordination.” [Vatican News]

***

Summary of the Study Commission on the Female Diaconate, December 4, 2025

To His Holiness

Leo XIV

Dear Holy Father,

Pope Buries German Synodal Way: the voice of the powerful in the German Church cannot silence the voice of the numerous who are not listened to

 

Well, not exactly, but in so many words.

From his press conference in the airplane returning to Rome from Lebanon:

[Question:] The Church in Lebanon is supported also by the German Church. There are, for example, some German aid agencies very active in Lebanon. So from that point of view, it is important that the German Church has to be strong. So you probably know, that there is this Synodal Way, we call it Synodaler Weg, a process of change in the German Church going on. Do you think this process can be a way to strengthen the Church in Germany? Or is it the other way around? And why? [Anna Giordano - German ARD Radio]

[Pope Leo XIV:] The Synodal Way is not unique to Germany, the whole Church has celebrated a synod and synodality over the past several years. There are some great similarities but there are also some marked differences between how the Synodaler Weg in Germany has been carried forward and how it may well continue in the universal Church. 

Goodbye to Catholic Family News

Another print publication goes under, unfortunately.

CFN had a great run, and we pray for the soul of John Vennari and Fr. Gruner, and we thank all those who kept it going.

Neoplatonism and the Antichrist: Against "Christian Hermeticism" - by Dr. John Lamont

 [Rorate Note: This is part of an ongoing debate; if you wish to contribute or rebut, just send us your view for consideration: newcatholic@gmail.com.]

***

Neoplatonism and the Antichrist

by John R. T. Lamont

Sebastian Morello's promotion of 'Christian Hermeticism' has met with severe criticism from a number of sources, as promoting occultism (cf. here). Surprisingly, Morello’ views have been defended by a certain number of Catholics. The criticisms that have been made of his ‘Christian Hermeticism’ are substantially accurate, but the accuracy of these criticisms rests upon facts about complex philosophical systems and historical developments that are little known even to the well-educated reader. It is important to fill in the historical background for the average Catholic, in order to show that Morello's views are irrational and cannot be reconciled with Catholicism. 

Tucho's Marian Kerfuffle - by Roberto de Mattei

The Consequences of the Marian Note of Cardinal Fernandez

by Roberto de Mattei

for Corrispondenza Romana

On November 4, 2025, the doctrinal note Mater Populi Fidelis was published, with which the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith sought to clarify the meaning and limits of certain Marian titles referring to Mary's cooperation in the work of salvation. The statement caused dismay and consternation among the faithful, but also among Mariologists, because it represents an objective diminution of the privileges traditionally reserved for Our Lady by the Tradition of the Church. One wonders now what the practical consequences will be.

Vatican II Springtime: Chapel of the Ursulines in Québec City deconsecrated

 On November 6th, 2025, a glorious history came to an end: the chapel of the Ursulines in the city of Quebec was deconsecrated.

The Ursulines first arrived in New France in 1639,  founded by Saint Mary of the Incarnation, and their monastery became the first institution for the teaching of women in all of North America (north of New Spain).

They survived the bitter cold, famine, wars, the British conquest, the upheavals of the American Revolution, the two world wars in which Canada played so noble a part -- they survived everything, except Vatican II.

Towards the Francis Dream of an Extermination of Opus Dei?

 

When Summorum Pontificum was promulgated, we had great hopes for a liturgical renewal of Opus Dei, the particular order founded by Josemaría Escrivá and later transformed in the only Personal Prelature, a novel figure created (for them, apparently) in the new Code of Canon Law.

We knew many priests of "The Work" loved the Traditional Mass, that Escrivá celebrated until the end of his life. But the order from above, as far as we could discern, was that the priests of Opus should, whenever possible, refrain from the Traditional Mass, and celebrate "the mass of the pope," that is, the novus ordo promulgated by Paul VI.

Leo XIV at the Tomb of Saint Charbel, the Miracle-Worker: "Saint Charbel has never ceased to intercede for us."

Pope Leo XIV became today the first Bishop of Rome to ever visit the tomb of one of the greatest Catholic miracle-workers, Saint Charbel.

Excerpt from his words: 

Saint Charbel has never ceased to intercede for us before our Heavenly Father, the source of every good and grace. Even during his earthly life, many went to him to receive comfort, forgiveness and advice from the Lord. After Saint Charbel’s death, his work multiplied and became like a river of mercy. For this reason, on the twenty-second of every month, thousands of pilgrims from different countries come here to spend a day in prayer and to renew their souls and bodies.

“Today's Modernism is more subtle, more camouflaged, more forceful and more hypocritical.”

 

Mons. Luigi Carlo Borromeo (1893 – 1975) 

Theological Audacity and Confusion: On the Marian Document

The following has been contributed to Rorate by a reader.

The Bishops have so much love for neighbor that they applaud themselves -- but some of them don't seem to love their own Faithful

Love for Neighbor

by Fr. Richard Cipolla

The American bishops Special Message on immigration recently promulgated is certainly to be welcomed as an authentic and moderate Catholic response to and observation of the current state of attitude and response to the often callous and certainly unchristian behavior of those who are empowered to enforce immigration law. This way of enforcing immigration law may often be inhumane and contrary to the American ethos.

A Sign of the Times: Leo XIV undoes important Francis Motu Proprio about the City of Rome

The Pope -- Bishop of Rome. While his concerns are mainly with the Universal Church, the Pope remains of course the Bishop of Rome, which is the central reason of why he is the Pastor of the Universal Church in the first place.

But since for many centuries, they have been so busy with the Church outside the City, they have for many centuries kept a Cardinal-Vicar, who administer the diocese.

Also for many decades, especially since Rome became once again a bustling modern metropolis, the central area of the City (which includes most of what the ancient, the modern, and the pilgrims and tourists identify as Rome proper) has been administered as a whole: the map below, from the pontificate of Benedict XVI, identifies this area, the Settore Centro, in red (the Vatican itself appears in yellow). The exact limits at the time had been defined by John Paul II.

The Upcoming Curial Rearrangements of Leo XIV: Bergoglianists and Papal Ceremonies; New Regulations; Latin Language no longer standard for Curial documents

 Main excerpts of the new piece by Vaticanist Andrea Gagliarducci -- including an important update on the major "Bergoglianist" Cardinal Czerny and also changes in the personnel of pontifical liturgical ceremonies:

Pope Leo XIV has initiated a major generational change in the Church’s central governing apparatus, the Roman Curia.

Apostolic Letter IN UNITATE FIDEI of Pope Leo XIV -- On the 1700th Anniversary of the Council of Nicaea

1. In the unity of faith, proclaimed since the beginning of the Church, Christians have been called to walk in harmony, guarding and transmitting the gift they have received with love and joy. This is expressed in the words of the Creed, “I believe in one Lord Jesus Christ, the Only Begotten Son of God… for our salvation he came down from heaven,” that were formulated 1700 years ago by the Council of Nicaea, the first ecumenical gathering in the history of Christianity.

Leo and the American Bishops - the USCCB Election and Fake News Pushed by American Liberals

by Serre Verweij

The USCCB has elected its new leaders. A new president, vice-president, secretary and committee heads. There have been spins and interpretations on both sides, as usual, with the typical questions of what it says or does not say about President Trump and whether the elections reflect any influence of Pope Leo XIV.

It might be best to take inspiration from the Pope to reject fake news, search for the truth, and approach the recent developments through a mathematical lens. 

Indicative numbers

Latin Mass Ordo 2026 available for download

 The 2026 liturgical year starts next Sunday (November 29th, First Sunday in Advent), and there is an ordo available online for the Traditional Roman Rite. 

No, there is no news about Leo XIV and Traditionis custodes

 

Some online sources have apparently inflated the leak first reported by the Catholic News Service of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (mentioned by us here last week), that is, that the Apostolic Nuncio to Great Britain had mentioned to local bishops that the Dicastery of Divine Worship, under the new pontificate, would grant 2-year-extensions of local diocesan Traditional Latin Masses, if requested by the local Ordinary.

Bishop Mutsaerts on DDF document on Marian Titles: "Cardinal Fernandez causes confusion once again."

A post by Bishop Rob Mutsaerts, Auxiliary Bishop of 's-Hertogenbosch (Bois-le-Duc), Netherlands. Translated from his blog in Dutch here.  

Cardinal Fernandez causes confusion once again.

It never ceases to amaze me that in the modern world, people are primarily afraid of words. People no longer seem to fear sin or foolishness, but only misunderstandings. And as if it were not clear enough: there is no truth that cannot be misunderstood. Roman Catholic theology has always placed an extraordinary emphasis on Christ as the only Savior. That is precisely why I have never seen any threat in the way one speaks of Mary. Christ's position is so absolute that it would be absurd to think that anyone could truly overshadow Him. Cooperation does not mean rivalry. If God truly became man, then He not only humbled Himself, but also made Himself dependent on human obedience: first on Mary, later on the apostles, and ultimately on all of us. Cardinal Fernandez is seeing phantoms when he says that it is no longer advisable to use the title “Co-Redemptrix” for Mary.

Bishop Rifan of the Apostolic Administration of Campos, exclusively dedicated to the Traditional Latin Mass, describes his meeting with Pope Leo XIV

 by Bishop Fernando Areas Rifan*

Apostolic Administrator

Personal Apostolic Administration of Saint John Mary Vianney, Campos, Brazil

November 17, 2025

On November 15, 2025, I was received in private audience by Pope Leo XIV in the Library of the Apostolic Palace. The audience lasted 30 minutes. In addition to introducing myself as Bishop of the Personal Apostolic Administration of St. John Mary Vianney, which he certainly knew only from reports, I explained to him the origin and reason why it was created by Pope St. John Paul II in 2002. I told him our story and gave him our documents and those of the Holy See on the matter. I also gave him some of my books, articles, and clarifications. I spoke about our theological and spiritual journey, about how we left the state of separation from the Church and how we came to understand the need for communion, in which we now find ourselves, thanks to God and the Church.

Beauty is Half Salvation by Marcello Veneziani

Is there still room for beauty in this age of technology, finance, and woke precepts? Beauty seems obsolete, useless, discriminatory, overshadowed by an esthetical vision of the world. Twenty-five years ago, with Giorgio Albertazzi, I wrote and launched the manifesto of beauty. 

Pope Leo XIV received in audience today…

“- Bishop Fernando Arêas Rifan, titular of Cedamusa, apostolic administrator of the personal apostolic administration of São João Maria Vianney, Brazil.” (Bollettino)

This is a most crucial meeting. 

Is Mary Co-redemptrix? Guest article by theologian Antonio Francés

As is well known, the Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith recently published the document Mater populi fidelis. It states that “it is always inappropriate to use the title ‘Co-redemptrix’ to define Mary’s cooperation” (n. 22, italics in the original). The reasons given in numbers 17-22, however, are quite inadequate. They are limited, in short, to affirming that Christ has a unique place in Redemption and that “reverent caution [is needed] whenever proposing any form of possible cooperation with him in the realm of Redemption” (n. 20). In other words, the core of the reasons is the denial that there is any participation in the redemptive work. Paragraph 22 gives another reason: “When an expression requires many, repeated explanations to prevent it from straying from a correct meaning, it does not serve the faith of the People of God and becomes unhelpful.”

Priority of New Bishop of Austin, Texas: Kneeling for Communion discouraged -- Communion kneelers to be banned

 Bishop Garcia has just arrived back at the capital of Texas, after a few mean years in Monterey (California) -- where his last measure before departing was to cancel the local Traditional Latin Mass. 

What is his first main concern in Austin, a burgeoning diocese filled with young Catholics and newcomers? Vocations? Inspire the faithful? Instill love for orthodoxy, Christ, the Sacraments, the Blessed Virgin?

No: it's to discourage kneeling for Communion in the masses of Paul VI:

Pope does not intend to revoke Traditionis custodes, will keep granting dispensations — Nuncio to Britain

 From CNS (the News Service of the United States Conference of Bishops) — the non-revocation news is not confirmed so far by the Vatican itself, which has just stated that the dispensations are nothing new:

VATICAN CITY (CNS) -- Pope Leo XIV does not intend to overturn Pope Francis' limits on celebrating the traditional Latin Mass but will grant two-year dispensations to bishops who ask, a nuncio said.

 

Reposted (Confirmed) Listening Kiosk Added to Saint Peter's Basilica

 

There have always been many confessionals in the Vatican Basilica. And in the old days, when there were tons of Masses there, they were used quite often.

Now that it feels more like a museum most of the time, they are used less often. 

Communiqué from the General House of the Society of Saint Pius X regarding 'Mater Populi fidelis'

On 4 November, the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith issued a “Doctrinal Note on Some Marian Titles Regarding Mary’s Cooperation in the Work of Salvation”.

A Vatican II & Francis Moment: Homosexual TV Presenter is Confirmed in NYC Church in the presence of his "husband"

"Gio" Benitez, an openly homosexual television presenter with ABC News, was confirmed yesterday at the problematic Saint Paul the Apostle parish church in Manhattan -- there was a mass of Paul VI celebrated by homosexual-adjacent homosexuality-promoting Jesuit James Martin, and in the presence of the "husband" of Mr. Benitez, as it can be seen in the video below.

 These are the fruits of the general looseness of spirits promoted by Vatican II and especially of Francis-approved document on blessings, Fiducia Supplicans. 

 

And it is also a mark of the negligence of the local bishop. It is even more so the case, considering it is a confirmation, a sacrament strictly related to the figure of the bishop, even when done by a priest by authorization. Who is the archbishop of New York again?..

 

Confirmation mass of Gio Benitez, the openly gay ABC news anchor, at St. Paul the Apostle Roman Catholic Church.

Benitez' was confirmed with his gay-married 'husband' at his side as his sponsor, as well as prominent LGBTQ-affirming priest James Martin. pic.twitter.com/H9tEAFjVlg

— Protestia (@Protestia) November 12, 2025

Open Letter to the Bishop of Charlotte: "Bishop Martin, it is men like you who strongly imply that the Protestants had it right."

Sent to us for publication, by a local parishioner:

Bishop Martin,

As a member of the Diocese of Charlotte, I have been amazed at the transformation of the character of our Diocese over the last year.  What once felt vibrant and full of life now feels cowed, disjointed, and fearful.  Entire congregations of faithful Catholics feel like they are losing their home, and they rightfully feel marginalized and ghettoized—reading the remarks you’ve made against the traditions of the faith, particularly behind closed doors where you’re unconcerned with public image, makes your disgust for the traditional evident and would make anyone feel as though they are intentionally being pushed aside for a more preferred populace to replace them.

Congratulations to Archbishop Paul Coakley, of Oklahoma City, new president of the USCCB -- and remembering the ruins of the 1960s

Paul S. Coakley, Archbishop of Oklahoma City

All the usual suspects are upset, which means the election of Archbishop Coakley as president of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops was a great result for Catholic orthodoxy.

75% of Charlotte Seminarians Come from Parishes with Altar Rails

 

This weekend the faithful of Charlotte have learned that as of the 1st Sunday of Advent November 30, 2025, Bishop Michael Martin has ordered that altar rails should no longer be used for the distribution of Novus Ordo communion in the Diocese of Charlotte.

Leo From Chicago - a Documentary by Vatican News

Watch the new documentary on the early life of the new pope, Leo XIV, in his native Illinois -- the documentary was produced by Vatican Media and is available below:

Leo and the Liturgy: in his own words, in the Sermon for the Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica

Finally, I would like to mention an essential aspect of the Cathedral’s mission: liturgy.  The liturgy is “the summit toward which the activity of the Church is directed... the source from which all its power flows” (Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy Sacrosanctum Concilium, 10).  In it, we find the same themes we have already mentioned: we are built up as God’s temple, as his dwelling place in the Spirit and we receive strength to preach Christ in the world (cf. ibid., 2).