In 2021, Pope Francis released a decree, Traditionis Custodes, which put restrictions on the celebration of the Traditional Latin Mass. Traditional Catholics worldwide were heartbroken. Under Pope Benedict XVI, greater freedom was allowed for the celebration of the beautiful ancient liturgy and new Latin Mass communities sprung up worldwide.
Now that progress has slowed and even reversed in certain cities. While some Traditional Catholics are still blessed to have a Traditional Latin Mass community nearby, many others don’t.
How are we to respond to Pope Francis’ decree?
Hold your anger in check.
Charity must reign supreme. If you let your anger consume you, you’re at risk of crossing dangerous boundaries. We see this with certain individuals and groups whose anger has brought them to the brink of schism.
We’re not saying anger is never warranted. But, so often, it does us more harm than good. As our friend Joseph Pearce said, “The only person I trust to turn over the tables in the temple is Jesus Christ.” If we lose charity, we’re on the wrong side even if we’re saying the right things.