The decision of Pope Francis in Traditionis Custodes falls under non-infallible discipline (as far as I can tell). This calls for religious submission of mind (i.e. intellect) and will. For non-infallible discipline, where no truth is being proposed for belief, the decision requires obedient acceptance and a sincere application. If the Holy See decides to add a holy day of obligation, then one must attend Mass on that day. If the USCCB is permitted and does issue a dispensation from that holy day, then one is not obligated. The Church has the authority of Christ. This behavior whereby one only accepts the decisions that are approved by one’s own mind and will, or by the majority opinion of a subculture, it is schismatic behavior. It is a rebellion against the authority of Christ.

One can mildly disagree with a decision of discipline. Perhaps Pope Francis or another Pope will change the course of TC, and there will be restrictions for a time, and then a broadening of use of the ancient liturgy again. Or perhaps the TLM will be abrogated for a time, just as religious orders are sometimes suppressed. We owe faithful obedience to the Holy See in all such matters, even though they are non-infallible.

But what I am seeing in response to TC, and it is continuing even today, is storytelling to undermine the authority of Christ.

[Matthew]
{28:12} And gathering together with the elders, having taken counsel, they gave an abundant sum of money to the soldiers,
{28:13} saying: “Say that his disciples arrived at night and stole him away, while we were sleeping.
{28:14} And if the procurator hears about this, we will persuade him, and we will protect you.”
{28:15} Then, having accepted the money, they did as they were instructed. And this word has been spread among the Jews, even to this day.

I hardly know what to call this group of persons. They rebel against every Pope or Council with any teaching or decision they dislike. They constantly attack Pope Francis. And they are now spreading all kinds of stories about the Latin Mass and the past documents of the Church on the liturgy, and also on Vatican II, so as to undermine the authority of Christ exercised by Pope Francis. And I don’t doubt that this decision by the Pope was of the Holy Spirit. Christ, the invisible head of the Church, continues to guide His body the Church through the visible head of the Church.

But their method of rejecting Church authority is to tell stories. There’s the story about Archbishop Bugnini, who supposedly was a freemason who hated the Church and yet was permitted to create the Novus Ordo Mass. That claim is absurd. And I don’t need to examine the details of the claim to know it is false, just as I don’t need to examine the details of a claim to know that Jesus never lied, that Adam did not have a wife before Eve, that no Pope has ever committed or taught heresy, and that there are no errors in the Bible. When something is contrary to the faith, we know by faith it is false. The Church is indefectible, and so Popes and Councils never err gravely in doctrine or discipline. Therefore, the Novus Ordo Mass is not the result of a conspiracy or an infiltration by freemasons or anyone else. I’ve been to NO Mass many times. It is a clear holy expression of worship of God. There are no fundamental errors or significant flaws. And telling stories to make holy Mass seem base or evil is wickedness beyond bounds. Many Saints have attended the NO Mass: Paul VI, John Paul II, Saint Teresa of Calcutta, Saint Carlo Acutis, and other modern-day Saints. They did not find it to be evil. Nor have any of the apparitions of the Blessed Virgin Mary warned us about the alleged evil of holy Mass.

The reaction to TC has proved its necessity. I wonder whether God will decide it is necessary to suppress the TLM completely for a time, until this schism, these heresies, and this rebellion against Christ ends.

RLCJ