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The Independent
a day ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Vatican leak undermines Pope Francis and inflames debate over Latin Mass
The debate surrounding the traditional Latin Mass within the Catholic Church has intensified significantly in the early days of Pope Leo XIV 's pontificate. It follows the alleged leak of Vatican documents that appear to contradict the rationale behind his predecessor Pope Francis 's restrictions on the ancient liturgy. These documents reportedly indicate that a majority of Catholic bishops who participated in a 2020 Vatican survey expressed general satisfaction with the Latin Mass. Crucially, they warned that imposing restrictions would "do more harm than good". The texts, originating from the Vatican's doctrine office, were posted online on Tuesday by Vatican reporter Diane Montagna, who has closely followed the Latin Mass dispute. Neither the Vatican spokesman nor the prefect of the doctrine office immediately responded to requests for comment or confirmation of the documents' authenticity on Wednesday. If verified, the leaked information could place considerable pressure on Pope Leo to address the liturgical divisions that became particularly pronounced during Pope Francis's 12-year papacy, especially within the United States. Leo has consistently stated that his primary aim is to foster unity and reconciliation within the Church, and many conservatives and traditionalists view the Latin Mass controversy as an urgent matter requiring resolution. In one of his most controversial acts, Francis in 2021 reversed Pope Benedict XVI 's signature liturgical legacy and restricted access for ordinary Catholics to the old Latin Mass. The ancient liturgy was celebrated around the world before the modernising reforms of the 1960s Second Vatican Council, which allowed Mass to be celebrated in the vernacular, with the priest facing the pews. Francis said he was cracking down on the spread of the old liturgy because Benedict's decision in 2007 to relax restrictions had become a source of division in the church. Francis said at the time that he was responding to 'the wishes expressed' by bishops around the world who had responded to the Vatican survey, as well as the Vatican doctrine office's own opinion. 'The responses reveal a situation that preoccupies and saddens me, and persuades me of the need to intervene,' Francis wrote at the time. Benedict's relaxation had been "exploited to widen the gaps, reinforce the divergences, and encourage disagreements that injure the church, block her path, and expose her to the peril of division', he said. The documents posted online, however, paint a different picture. They suggest that the majority of bishops who responded to the Vatican survey had a generally favourable view of Benedict's reform and warned that suppressing or weakening it would lead traditionalist Catholics to leave the church and join schismatic groups. They warned any changes 'would seriously damage the life of the church, as it would recreate the tensions that the document had helped to resolve'. The documents include a five-page 'overall assessment' of the survey findings, written by the Vatican's doctrine office, as well as a seven-page compilation of quotes from individual bishops or bishops' conferences. The documents contain some negative and neutral opinions, and say some bishops considered Benedict's reform 'inappropriate, disturbing', dangerous and worthy of suppression. But the Vatican's own assessment said the majority of bishops who responded expressed satisfaction. It cited the rise in religious vocations in traditionalist communities and said young Catholics in particular were drawn to the 'sacredness, seriousness and solemnity of the liturgy'. It is not clear what other evidence, anecdotes or documentation informed Francis's decision to reverse Benedict. But from the very start, Francis was frequently critical of traditionalist Catholics, whom he accused of being navel-gazing retrogrades out of touch with the evangelising mission of the church in the 21st century. The new documents have comforted traditionalists who felt attacked and abandoned by Francis. 'The new revelations confirms that Pope Francis restricted the Traditional Mass at the request of only a minority of bishops, and against the advice of the dicastery in charge of the subject,' Joseph Shaw, of the Latin Mass Society of England and Wales, said. 'The majority view of the bishops, that restricting the TLM would cause more harm than good, has sadly been proved correct.' In an email, he said Leo should address the issue 'urgently'.
The Independent
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Debate over Latin Mass heats up after apparent leak of Vatican documents that undermine Pope Francis
The debate in the Catholic Church over the celebration of the old Latin Mass is heating up just as Pope Leo XIV's pontificate is getting under way, with the apparent leak of Vatican documents that undermine the stated reason of his predecessor Pope Francis for restricting access to the ancient liturgy. The documents suggest that the majority of Catholic bishops who responded to a 2020 Vatican survey about the Latin Mass had expressed general satisfaction with it, and warned that restricting it would 'do more harm than good.' The texts from the Vatican's doctrine office were posted online Tuesday by a Vatican reporter who has followed the Latin Mass dispute, Diane Montagna. The Vatican spokesman and prefect of the doctrine office didn't immediately respond when asked Wednesday to confirm their authenticity, or comment. If confirmed, the documents could add pressure on Leo to try to pacify the liturgical divisions that spread, especially in the United States, during Francis' 12-year papacy. Since the start of his pontificate, Leo has said his aim is unity and reconciliation in the church, and many conservatives and traditionalists have pointed to the Latin Mass dispute as an area that requires urgent resolution. In one of his most controversial acts, Francis in 2021 reversed Pope Benedict XVI's signature liturgical legacy and restricted access for ordinary Catholics to the old Latin Mass. The ancient liturgy was celebrated around the world before the modernizing reforms of the 1960s Second Vatican Council, which allowed Mass to be celebrated in the vernacular, with the priest facing the pews. Francis said he was cracking down on the spread of the old liturgy because Benedict's decision in 2007 to relax restrictions had become a source of division in the church. Francis said at the time he was responding to 'the wishes expressed' by bishops around the world who had responded to the Vatican survey, as well as the Vatican doctrine office's own opinion. 'The responses reveal a situation that preoccupies and saddens me, and persuades me of the need to intervene,' Francis wrote at the time. Benedict's relaxation had been "exploited to widen the gaps, reinforce the divergences, and encourage disagreements that injure the church, block her path, and expose her to the peril of division,' he said. The documents posted online, however, paint a different picture. They suggest the majority of bishops who responded to the Vatican survey had a generally favorable view of Benedict's reform and warned that suppressing or weakening it would lead traditionalist Catholics to leave the church and join schismatic groups. They warned any changes 'would seriously damage the life of the church, as it would recreate the tensions that the document had helped to resolve.' The documents include a five-page 'overall assessment' of the survey findings, written by the Vatican's doctrine office, as well as a seven-page compilation of quotes from individual bishops or bishops' conferences. The documents contain some negative and neutral opinions, and say some bishops considered Benedict's reform 'inappropriate, disturbing,' dangerous and worthy of suppression. But the Vatican's own assessment said the majority of bishops who responded expressed satisfaction. It cited the rise in religious vocations in traditionalist communities and said young Catholics in particular were drawn to the 'sacredness, seriousness and solemnity of the liturgy.' It's not clear what other evidence, anecdotes or documentation informed Francis' decision to reverse Benedict. But from the very start, Francis was frequently critical of traditionalist Catholics, whom he accused of being navel-gazing retrogrades out of touch with the evangelizing mission of the church in the 21st century. The new documents have comforted traditionalists who felt attacked and abandoned by Francis. 'The new revelations confirms that Pope Francis restricted the Traditional Mass at the request of only a minority of bishops, and against the advice of the dicastery in charge of the subject,' said Joseph Shaw, of the Latin Mass Society of England and Wales. 'The majority view of the bishops, that restricting the TLM would cause more harm than good, has sadly been proved correct.' In an email, he said Leo should address the issue 'urgently.' ___ Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP's collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.
Associated Press
2 days ago
- Politics
- Associated Press
Debate over Latin Mass heats up after apparent leak of Vatican documents that undermine Pope Francis
ROME (AP) — The debate in the Catholic Church over the celebration of the old Latin Mass is heating up just as Pope Leo XIV's pontificate is getting under way, with the apparent leak of Vatican documents that undermine the stated reason of his predecessor Pope Francis for restricting access to the ancient liturgy. The documents suggest that the majority of Catholic bishops who responded to a 2020 Vatican survey about the Latin Mass had expressed general satisfaction with it, and warned that restricting it would 'do more harm than good.' The texts from the Vatican's doctrine office were posted online Tuesday by a Vatican reporter who has followed the Latin Mass dispute, Diane Montagna. The Vatican spokesman and prefect of the doctrine office didn't immediately respond when asked Wednesday to confirm their authenticity, or comment. If confirmed, the documents could add pressure on Leo to try to pacify the liturgical divisions that spread, especially in the United States, during Francis' 12-year papacy. Since the start of his pontificate, Leo has said his aim is unity and reconciliation in the church, and many conservatives and traditionalists have pointed to the Latin Mass dispute as an area that requires urgent resolution. In one of his most controversial acts, Francis in 2021 reversed Pope Benedict XVI's signature liturgical legacy and restricted access for ordinary Catholics to the old Latin Mass. The ancient liturgy was celebrated around the world before the modernizing reforms of the 1960s Second Vatican Council, which allowed Mass to be celebrated in the vernacular, with the priest facing the pews. Francis said he was cracking down on the spread of the old liturgy because Benedict's decision in 2007 to relax restrictions had become a source of division in the church. Francis said at the time he was responding to 'the wishes expressed' by bishops around the world who had responded to the Vatican survey, as well as the Vatican doctrine office's own opinion. 'The responses reveal a situation that preoccupies and saddens me, and persuades me of the need to intervene,' Francis wrote at the time. Benedict's relaxation had been 'exploited to widen the gaps, reinforce the divergences, and encourage disagreements that injure the church, block her path, and expose her to the peril of division,' he said. The documents posted online, however, paint a different picture. They suggest the majority of bishops who responded to the Vatican survey had a generally favorable view of Benedict's reform and warned that suppressing or weakening it would lead traditionalist Catholics to leave the church and join schismatic groups. They warned any changes 'would seriously damage the life of the church, as it would recreate the tensions that the document had helped to resolve.' The documents include a five-page 'overall assessment' of the survey findings, written by the Vatican's doctrine office, as well as a seven-page compilation of quotes from individual bishops or bishops' conferences. The documents contain some negative and neutral opinions, and say some bishops considered Benedict's reform 'inappropriate, disturbing,' dangerous and worthy of suppression. But the Vatican's own assessment said the majority of bishops who responded expressed satisfaction. It cited the rise in religious vocations in traditionalist communities and said young Catholics in particular were drawn to the 'sacredness, seriousness and solemnity of the liturgy.' It's not clear what other evidence, anecdotes or documentation informed Francis' decision to reverse Benedict. But from the very start, Francis was frequently critical of traditionalist Catholics, whom he accused of being navel-gazing retrogrades out of touch with the evangelizing mission of the church in the 21st century. The new documents have comforted traditionalists who felt attacked and abandoned by Francis. 'The new revelations confirms that Pope Francis restricted the Traditional Mass at the request of only a minority of bishops, and against the advice of the dicastery in charge of the subject,' said Joseph Shaw, of the Latin Mass Society of England and Wales. 'The majority view of the bishops, that restricting the TLM would cause more harm than good, has sadly been proved correct.' In an email, he said Leo should address the issue 'urgently.' ___ Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP's collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.
CNN
07-05-2025
- Politics
- CNN
Cardinals choosing the next pope have been offered a dossier on candidates – with a subtext
Rome CNN — When the cardinals enter the Sistine Chapel on Wednesday at the start of conclave, the process of electing a new pope, they will be sealed off from the world. But that doesn't stop people trying to influence the thinking of the 133 prelates who will choose a successor to the late Pope Francis. The electors are allowed to take in written materials and, in the days leading up to the conclave, have been offered a book on their fellow cardinals – one which contains a clear message. Titled 'The College of Cardinals Report,' it offers profiles on around 40 papal candidates, including a breakdown on where they stand on topics such as same-sex blessings, ordaining female deacons and the church's teaching on contraception. The subtext: Choose a pope who will take the church in a different direction to Pope Francis – whose progressive reforms angered some conservatives. The College of Cardinals report is freely available online but has also been produced as a large format book. One retired cardinal, not eligible to take part in conclave, told CNN he had received a hard copy. The project has been led by two Catholic journalists, Edward Pentin, who is from Britain, and Diane Montagna, from the United States – both of whose work appears on traditionalist and conservative Catholic news sites. Montagna has been handing the book to cardinals entering and leaving the pre-conclave meetings, Reuters reported. The creators of the report say they produced the resource to help cardinals get to 'know one another better' and that it was compiled by an 'international and independent team of Catholic journalists and researchers.' It comes ahead of a conclave where the cardinals – a diverse group drawn from 71 countries, many of them appointed by Francis over the last decade – don't know each other well and have been wearing name badges during their meetings. Asked by CNN whether cardinals will be able to take the report in with them to the conclave, a Vatican spokesman said: 'What they take in is up to them.' But two church lawyers have told CNN that the report is far from impartial and is an attempt to influence the conclave in an anti-Francis direction. For example, it describes Cardinal Mario Grech, the Maltese prelate who has been tasked with overseeing a major reform process in the Roman Catholic Church, as 'controversial,' while it heaps praise on US Cardinal Raymond Burke, a prominent critic of Francis. The report was compiled in association with Sophia Institute Press, a traditionalist-leaning publishing house based in New Hampshire, and Cardinalis, a magazine based in Versailles, France. Sophia Institute Press publishes the radically anti-Francis 'Crisis Magazine' and in 2019 published the book 'Infiltration,' which claims that in the 19th century, a group of 'Modernists and Marxists' hatched a plan to 'subvert the Catholic Church from within.' Meanwhile, Cardinalis regularly features articles on prominent conservative cardinals. The College of Cardinals Report website attempts to ward off accusations of bias, saying, 'Our approach is fact-based and we strive to be impartial, offering as accurate a picture as possible of the sort of man who might one day fill the shoes of the Fisherman'– a reference to the first pope, St. Peter. Its authors also say there is historical precedent for their initiative, pointing to times when 'diplomats and other trusted scribes would compile more in-depth and reliable biographies of the cardinals and distribute them to interested parties.' Pentin told CNN that the report 'was conceived and created as a service to the members of the Sacred College to help them get to know one another in view of the next conclave and beyond. Naturally, we have sought to make the site and accompanying booklet accessible to as many cardinals as possible.' Dawn Eden Goldstein, a canon lawyer and Catholic author based in Washington DC, is skeptical, however. 'Even if they were pushing for a cardinal in the mold of Francis, it is still banned according to the law of the church,' she told CNN. In his rules on the election of popes, John Paul II prohibited, on pain of excommunication, 'all possible forms of interference, opposition' from political authorities, including 'any individual or group' who 'might attempt to exercise influence on the election of the Pope.' The idea behind the secrecy of the conclave is to prevent outside influence. In the past, European monarchs held a power of veto in a papal election, with the last one exercised in 1903. But the 2025 conclave has been subject to various kinds of attempts to influence it. Clerical sexual abuse survivors have set up a database to vet cardinals' records on handling the issue, while social media has been full of controversial content – from AI-generated videos of cardinals partying in the Sistine Chapel to US President Donald Trump releasing an artificially created image of himself as the pope. Well-funded conservative Catholic groups are among the would-be influencers. Sophia Institute Press publishes books in partnership with The Eternal Word Network (EWTN), the largest religious broadcaster in the world and one which has often given a platform to Francis' critics. The Napa Institute, a conservative Catholic group, has been present in Rome in the run-up to the conclave, as has the Papal Foundation, a group of Catholic philanthropists. 'This room could raise a billion to help the church. So long as we have the right pope,' an anonymous Papal Foundation backer told the Times of London. Some members of these groups are also supporters of Trump. Tim Busch, a Californian lawyer and the co-founder of Napa, has described the Trump administration as the 'most Christian he's ever seen.' While Busch has rejected the claim he is 'anti-Francis,' he said that the ultra-conservative Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò had 'done us a great service' when he released a 2018 dossier calling on the late pope to resign. Viganò was last year excommunicated for schism. Kurt Martens, a professor of canon law from the Catholic University of America, said church legislation seeks to 'protect the cardinals against all kinds of outside influencing and interference.' He pointed to the 'Red Hat Report,' a US group that back in 2018 was seeking more than $1 million to compile dossiers on candidates in an attempt to prevent a repeat of the conclave that elected Francis. Martens said initiatives such as the cardinals' report and the Red Hat Report 'intend to not just give objective information, but colored information, and thereby seeks to influence the outcome of the conclave.' He added: 'Per the rules of St. John Paul II, that is absolutely forbidden.' At the same time, cardinals are not easily influenced. Cardinal Oswald Gracias, the retired archbishop of Bombay, told CNN he is warning fellow cardinals about 'fake news' on social media. He said he'd received the book on the cardinals but hadn't gone through it. 'It's a well-produced volume, but I hope it's accurate,' he added.
RNZ News
06-05-2025
- Politics
- RNZ News
Cardinals choosing the next pope have been offered a dossier on candidates
By Christopher Lamb, CNN Cardinals walk to take their places ahead of the late Pope Francis' funeral ceremony at St Peter's Square at The Vatican on April 26, 2025. Photo: AFP/MANDEL NGAN When the cardinals enter the Sistine Chapel on Wednesday at the start of conclave , the process of electing a new pope, they will be sealed off from the world. But that doesn't stop people trying to influence the thinking of the 133 prelates who will choose a successor to the late Pope Francis. The electors are allowed to take in written materials and, in the days leading up to the conclave, have been offered a book on their fellow cardinals - one which contains a clear message. Titled "The College of Cardinals Report," it offers profiles on around 40 papal candidates, including a breakdown on where they stand on topics such as same-sex blessings, ordaining female deacons and the church's teaching on contraception. The subtext: Choose a pope who will take the church in a different direction to Pope Francis - whose progressive reforms angered some conservatives. The College of Cardinals report is freely available online but has also been produced as a large format book. One retired cardinal, not eligible to take part in conclave, told CNN he had received a hard copy. The project has been led by two Catholic journalists, Edward Pentin, who is from Britain, and Diane Montagna, from the United States - both of whose work appears on traditionalist and conservative Catholic news sites. Montagna has been handing the book to cardinals entering and leaving the pre-conclave meetings, Reuters reported. The creators of the report say they produced the resource to help cardinals get to "know one another better" and that it was compiled by an "international and independent team of Catholic journalists and researchers." It comes ahead of a conclave where the cardinals - a diverse group drawn from 71 countries, many of them appointed by Francis over the last decade - don't know each other well and have been wearing name badges during their meetings. Asked by CNN whether cardinals will be able to take the report in with them to the conclave, a Vatican spokesman said: "What they take in is up to them." But two church lawyers have told CNN that the report is far from impartial and is an attempt to influence the conclave in an anti-Francis direction. For example, it describes Cardinal Mario Grech, the Maltese prelate who has been tasked with overseeing a major reform process in the Roman Catholic Church, as "controversial," while it heaps praise on US Cardinal Raymond Burke, a prominent critic of Francis. Cardinals arrive at the Vatican for a College of Cardinals' meeting on Monday in Rome, Italy. Photo:via CNN Newsource The report was compiled in association with Sophia Institute Press, a traditionalist-leaning publishing house based in New Hampshire, and Cardinalis, a magazine based in Versailles, France. Sophia Institute Press publishes the radically anti-Francis "Crisis Magazine" and in 2019 published the book "Infiltration," which claims that in the 19th century, a group of "Modernists and Marxists" hatched a plan to "subvert the Catholic Church from within." Meanwhile, Cardinalis regularly features articles on prominent conservative cardinals. The College of Cardinals Report website attempts to ward off accusations of bias, saying, "Our approach is fact-based and we strive to be impartial, offering as accurate a picture as possible of the sort of man who might one day fill the shoes of the Fisherman"- a reference to the first pope, St. Peter. Its authors also say there is historical precedent for their initiative, pointing to times when "diplomats and other trusted scribes would compile more in-depth and reliable biographies of the cardinals and distribute them to interested parties". Pentin told CNN that the report "was conceived and created as a service to the members of the Sacred College to help them get to know one another in view of the next conclave and beyond. Naturally, we have sought to make the site and accompanying booklet accessible to as many cardinals as possible". Dawn Eden Goldstein, a canon lawyer and Catholic author based in Washington DC, is skeptical, however. "Even if they were pushing for a cardinal in the mold of Francis, it is still banned according to the law of the church," she told CNN. In his rules on the election of popes, John Paul II prohibited, on pain of excommunication, "all possible forms of interference, opposition" from political authorities, including "any individual or group" who "might attempt to exercise influence on the election of the Pope." The idea behind the secrecy of the conclave is to prevent outside influence. In the past, European monarchs held a power of veto in a papal election, with the last one exercised in 1903. Officials, members of the clergy and conclave staff take an oath of secrecy in the Pauline Chapel, at the Vatican, on Monday. Photo: Simone Risoluti/Vatican Media/Reuters via CNN Newsource But the 2025 conclave has been subject to various kinds of attempts to influence it. Clerical sexual abuse survivors have set up a database to vet cardinals' records on handling the issue, while social media has been full of controversial content - from AI-generated videos of cardinals partying in the Sistine Chapel to US President Donald Trump releasing an artificially created image of himself as the pope. Well-funded conservative Catholic groups are among the would-be influencers. Sophia Institute Press publishes books in partnership with The Eternal Word Network (EWTN), the largest religious broadcaster in the world and one which has often given a platform to Francis' critics. The Napa Institute, a conservative Catholic group, has been present in Rome in the run-up to the conclave, as has the Papal Foundation, a group of Catholic philanthropists. "This room could raise a billion to help the church. So long as we have the right pope," an anonymous Papal Foundation backer told the Times of London. Some members of these groups are also supporters of Trump. Tim Busch, a Californian lawyer and the co-founder of Napa, has described the Trump administration as the "most Christian he's ever seen." While Busch has rejected the claim he is "anti-Francis," he said that the ultra-conservative Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò had "done us a great service" when he released a 2018 dossier calling on the late pope to resign. Viganò was last year excommunicated for schism. Kurt Martens, a professor of canon law from the Catholic University of America, said church legislation seeks to "protect the cardinals against all kinds of outside influencing and interference." He pointed to the "Red Hat Report," a US group that back in 2018 was seeking more than $1 million to compile dossiers on candidates in an attempt to prevent a repeat of the conclave that elected Francis. Martens said initiatives such as the cardinals' report and the Red Hat Report "intend to not just give objective information, but colored information, and thereby seeks to influence the outcome of the conclave." He added: "Per the rules of St. John Paul II, that is absolutely forbidden." At the same time, cardinals are not easily influenced. Cardinal Oswald Gracias, the retired archbishop of Bombay, told CNN he is warning fellow cardinals about "fake news" on social media. He said he'd received the book on the cardinals but hadn't gone through it. "It's a well-produced volume, but I hope it's accurate," he added. - CNN
