Christian Marquant, the chairman of the organizing committee of the Traditional "Summorum Pontificum" pilgrimage to Rome (which will include this year once again the Mass in Saint Peter's, celebrated by Cardinal Burke), is happy that Pope Leo XIV indicated, in his book-interview, that he wants to "listen" to Traditional Catholics.
But how can we be heard if very few want to listen to us? And if the main office for dialogue with Traditional Catholics, the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei, was dismantled by Francis, and nothing put in its place?
Marquant is interviewed by Paix Liturgique regarding a "dialogue" with no Roman or diocesan interlocutors:
PAIX LITURGIQUE – Dear Christian, how do you interpret the Holy Father's remark?
Christian Marquant – First, we must thank Pope Leo for his interest in us and in this matter. Then, if you allow me, we must turn ourselves to the concrete current reality.
PAIX LITURGIQUE – And what is that reality?
Christian Marquant – It's very simple: in the Church, everything possible is done to make us inaudible and make people believe we don't exist... Unfortunately, the enemies of peace have been doing this for a long time, but especially in the last four years, because before, although the situation was not idyllic, it allowed us to maintain a direct and real connection with the Church authorities.
PAIX LITURGIQUE – Could you explain it better?
Christian Marquant – Let's take an example: from 1988 to 2021, there was in Rome the Ecclesia Dei Commission. In theory, its mission was to "facilitate full ecclesial communion" between priests, seminarians, and religious communities linked to the SSPX. This focus was somewhat limited, leading the SSPX to claim that it was a machine set to foster a “ralliement”... In fact, it was responsible for traditional communities. But in practice, it had also become for us lay people a genuine place of encounter enabling a very open dialogue.
PAIX LITURGIQUE – How?
Christian Marquant – Lay people could contact it by mail or email and, while in Rome, meet with its superiors and members to discuss our difficulties.
PAIX LITURGIQUE – Have you done this?
Christian Marquant – Many times! Both during the time of Cardinal Mayer, president of the Commission, and during the time of the Commission's secretaries, Monsignor Perl, who was a great listener, always very receptive, Monsignor Pozzo, Monsignor Descourtieux, and, of course, all their teams.
PAIX LITURGIQUE – Is it over?
Christian Marquant – The Commission has been dissolved since January 19, 2019.
PAIX LITURGIQUE – But are there other possible interlocutors in Rome?
Christian Marquant – There used to be a very Catholic and charitable custom of receiving visitors in the dicasteries, for us in the Dicastery for Divine Worship.
PAIX LITURGIQUE – And did those in charge there welcome you well?
Christian Marquant – Cordially, one might say. Thus, over the past thirty years, I believe I have been received by all the Prefects of Divine Worship, including Cardinals Medina, Arinze, Cañizares, and Robert Sarah, in order to present our difficulties.
PAIX LITURGIQUE – And that was helpful?
Christian Marquant – Very helpful! Thanks to these contacts, we were able to be received by Cardinal Ratzinger and many other cardinals and officials of the Curia. We were also able, for example, to invite Cardinal Cañizares, Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship, to celebrate Mass at St. Peter's in Rome during the first Summorum Pontificum pilgrimage in 2012, and we were also able to discuss a multitude of other issues.
PAIX LITURGIQUE – But that is no longer possible?
Christian Marquant – Since Cardinal Sarah left the Dicastery for Divine Worship, I have not been able to meet with his successor, Cardinal Roche.
PAIX LITURGIQUE – Have you tried?
Christian Marquant – I have contacted the Cardinal by letter and email many times, and I have visited his offices even more frequently… to no avail. Cardinal Roche is very busy…
PAIX LITURGIQUE – Is it a shame?
Christian Marquant – It is simply tragic. We are like orphans. In the dicasteries and offices, they talk about the traditional liturgy and those who practice it, but without knowing us, without having the slightest contact with us.
PAIX LITURGIQUE – Without dialogue?
Christian Marquant – NO, without dialogue, at a time when it is insisted upon daily as an indispensable form of charity.
PAIX LITURGIQUE – But there is the Synod of Bishops and its assemblies…
Christian Marquant – The Synod of Bishops in Rome, like the diocesan synods, are increasing their assemblies, but they ignore us as if we didn't exist.
PAIX LITURGIQUE – Aren't you exaggerating a bit?
Christian Marquant – I could write an entire book about the last synod of the Diocese of Versailles, in which many groups wanted to participate but they were ALL excluded. Dialogue only exists with those who broadly share the same views!
PAIX LITURGIQUE – But at the level of the Episcopal Conferences?...
Christian Marquant – My experience is limited to France, but here again we are faced with an autistic turning to themselves only. While many groups are represented within the Conference, there is no representation, not even informal, which might represent the traditional faithful before our bishops, nor has there been any contact with them. This is not because it has not been requested on several occasions. Not even unofficial contacts. Nothing. This is something that can only be seen in the Church: it would be unimaginable in the political or business world.
PAIX LITURGIQUE – But isn't there a CEF/Tradition expert group within the Church of France?
Christian Marquant – The CEF only takes notice of ex-Ecclesia Dei communities, which speak only in their own name, and even there, one should see the lack of concern with which it treats them. However, there are many diocesan priests who also celebrate the Traditional Mass. And, above all, there is the great mass of lay faithful, who, for the CEF, do not even exist.
PAIX LITURGIQUE – Because the laity form a particular reality?
Christian Marquant – I was led to understand that, in theory, this had been the case since the Second Vatican Council. But in the end, it seems that this is not meant for all lay people, but only those who adhere to the new ideas.
PAIX LITURGIQUE – So they are orphans?
Christian Marquant – We are orphans, ignored and, let's admit it, carefully excluded from ecclesial life. At least the Pope's words give us hope that things might change. This will be the reason for our prayers during the fourteenth Summorum Pontificum pilgrimage to Rome, from October 24 to 26.
[source: Paix Liturgique]
