The rumor has been circulating for several days: the Vatican is about to completely ban the possibility of celebrating Mass according to the ancient form of the rite. Posted on June 17th from the traditionalist blog Let thegenerally well informed, this rumor has since spread at great speed, some even putting forward the date of July 16, the anniversary of Traditionis Custodes, published in 2021 by the Pope to strongly limit the use of this rite.
However, according to several Vatican sources to which La Croix has had access, no document of this type is currently being prepared by the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, in charge of the liturgy. “It’s just chatter”a senior Vatican official complains. The same person denounces “fantasies”. Another source explains that these rumors are perfectly “unfounded”.
No official denial
However, the Vatican has chosen, for the time being, not to officially deny these rumors. “To deny it would be to give them weight, when it is not worth it.”they justify themselves at the Vatican, where they are accustomed to never commenting on rumors of this kind.
Several sources explain to The cross that these rumors could originate from an erroneous interpretation of Roman decisions concerning certain communities or institutes. One of them concerns the Missionaries of Divine Mercy, in the south of France, whose ordinations were suspended sine die at the request of Rome. The Vatican is currently studying the file of this community under diocesan law in order to determine whether it is relevant to authorize them to celebrate according to the ancient form of the rite. A Roman authorization that has been mandatory since Traditionis Custodes.
The publication of the 2021 motu proprio had caused strong tensions in French traditionalist circles, some of whom vigorously denounced the questioning of the facilitation of the celebration according to the ancient rite, granted by Benedict XVI.
