There were many reasons for Summorum Pontificum, the motu proprio document by Benedict XVI that gave back full rights of citizenship to the Traditional Liturgies of the Latin Church in our age.
Justice, for one. The then-Cardinal Ratzinger had written extensively on the mistakes of the Pauline liturgical reform. But also, and very importantly, the situation of the Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX).
The SSPX had long defended the full freedom of the Traditional Mass as one of its conditions for a final settlement with the Apostolic See. Then, Benedict XVI accomplished the other condition: the lifting of the excommunications of the four SSPX bishops consecrated by Abp. Marcel Lefebvre in 1988; and the German response to the lifting of one of them (that of Bp. Richard Williamson) created one of the gravest storms of the Ratzinger Pontificate. The reaction gave rise to one of the most traumatic writings ever composed by a Pontiff in the modern age:
Certainly, for some time now, and once again on this specific occasion, we have heard from some representatives of that community many unpleasant things – arrogance and presumptuousness, an obsession with one-sided positions, etc. Yet to tell the truth, I must add that I have also received a number of touching testimonials of gratitude which clearly showed an openness of heart. But should not the great Church also allow herself to be generous in the knowledge of her great breadth, in the knowledge of the promise made to her? Should not we, as good educators, also be capable of overlooking various faults and making every effort to open up broader vistas? And should we not admit that some unpleasant things have also emerged in Church circles? At times one gets the impression that our society needs to have at least one group to which no tolerance may be shown; which one can easily attack and hate. And should someone dare to approach them – in this case the Pope – he too loses any right to tolerance; he too can be treated hatefully, without misgiving or restraint. (Letter to the Bishops)
On both sides, there was a hardening of hearts. But it is our impression that the Holy See, and Benedict XVI in particular, were convinced that the fulfilling of both conditions would lead at least to a provisional canonical settlement. It did not happen. And we do believe this failure weighed heavily among the reasons that led to the dramatic decision of Pope Ratzinger to abdicate.
But, despite these difficulties, the great success of Summorum Pontificum showed that Tradition could live within the regular diocesan walls if there was enough charity on the side of the diocesan Shepherds.
And yet: the magnificent experiment was brutally interrupted by the violent and illegitimate decision of Francis in the cruelly misnamed motu proprio "Traditionis custodes", of 2021. Ironically, Francis, in his bizarre way of personalizing things, granted to the SSPX several concessions without asking for anything in return: including jurisdiction for confessions and marriages. (His personal liking for the SSPX is among other things, what leads us to believe that, if the SSPX had decided for the consecrations in his pontificate, he would have found a way not to excommunicate those involved.)
The fact of the matter is, in any event, that Traditionis custodes is in place. Though it is immoral and illegitimate, and theologically doubtful, it gives cover to all kinds of cruelties done to Traditional Catholics. The evil of this document HAS RECREATED the state of emergency. In fact, in merely legal terms, the position of Traditional Catholics is objectively worse than it was at the time of the 1988 SSPX Consecrations, since the then-existing letter Quattuor Abhinc Annos (1984) at least recognized the solicitude of the Pontiff and the desire of the faithful as legitimate -- while Traditionis custodes does not hide its intention to gradually annihilate the Traditional Mass at some point in the future, by both no new institutions and no new ordinations.
So Traditionis custodes IS THE STATE OF EMERGENCY.
As Rorate first announced, and confirmed today, on the day of Our Lady of Fatima, by Cardinal Fernandez, the Vatican fully intends to take the consecration without mandate to its fullest canonical consequences.
Traditionalists fully understand the need for respect for authority; but we cannot have both at the same time: a stated will to destroy the Traditional Roman Liturgy forever (Traditionis custodes) and a complete prohibition of means to salvage that. If the Holy and Apostolic See really wants to show the world its peaceful and loving purpose, it cannot just punish: it has to make clear that Traditional Catholics are once again welcomed and loved in the Church, by way of a new welcoming in the style of Summorum Pontificum.
