At a conference the Latin Mass Society hosted in London June 14, Cardinal Raymond Leo Burke expressed his hope that Pope Leo XIV would act to end what he called the “persecution from within the Church” of Catholics who attend the Traditional Latin Mass (TLM).
The conference, held at St. Wilfrid’s Hall at the London Oratory, featured a variety of speakers addressing themes of liturgy and tradition, including Bishop Athanasius Schneider, auxiliary bishop of Astana, Kazakhstan.
Joining the event via video, the American cardinal and former prefect of the Apostolic Signatura called for a return to the generous provisions granted under Summorum Pontificum, Pope Benedict XVI’s 2007 apostolic letter which had allowed broad access to the older Roman rite.
“It is my hope that he will put an end to the persecution of the faithful in the Church who desire to worship God according to the more ancient usage of the Roman rite,” he told the crowd.
Cardinal Burke, long recognized as a leading defender of Catholic tradition, liturgy, and moral teaching, confirmed he has already communicated his concerns to Pope Leo.
“I certainly have already had occasion to express that to the Holy Father,” he said. “Certainly it is my hope that he will, as soon as it is possible, take up the study of this question and try to restore the situation as it was after Summorum Pontificum, and even to continue to develop what Pope Benedict XVI had so wisely and lovingly legislated for the Church.”
Summorum Pontificum restored the right of priests to celebrate the TLM without needing permission from their bishops.
“With the promulgation of the motu proprio Traditionis Custodes, the liturgical peace which was the fruit of the application of Summorum Pontificum has been most seriously disturbed,” Cardinal Burke said during his address.
Traditionis Custodes, issued by Pope Francis in 2021, rolled back many of the freedoms granted by Summorum Pontificum.
“It is my hope that those serious questions which have rightly impeded the acceptance of the law contained in Traditionis Custodes will be addressed at the earliest possible time,” Cardinal Burke later added.
The cardinal also emphasized Pope Benedict’s teaching that the TLM is not in conflict with the newer form of the liturgy, but rather complements it in continuity.
“‘There is no contradiction between the two editions of the Roman Missal. In the history of the liturgy there is growth and progress, but no rupture,’” Cardinal Burke said, quoting Summorum Pontificum. He also cited Pope Benedict’s insistence that what was once sacred cannot suddenly be cast aside.
“‘What earlier generations held as sacred remains sacred and great for us too, and it cannot be all of a sudden entirely forbidden or even considered harmful,’” he said, further quoting the motu proprio. “‘It behooves all of us to preserve the riches which have developed in the Church’s faith and prayer, and to give them their proper place.’”
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