The Archbishop of San Francisco, Salvatore Cordileone, believes that the restrictions imposed by the motu proprio Traditionis custodes do not constitute a sustainable long-term policy and warns that they could push some Catholics toward communities that are not in full communion with Rome.
The statements were made during an interview given to Raymond Arroyo on the program The World Over Live, after Cardinal Arthur Roche, Prefect of the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, assured in an interview with The Tablet that Leo XIV will not modify Traditionis custodes or restore the regime established by Benedict XVI with Summorum Pontificum.
Risk to unity
Cordileone avoided speculating about the Pope’s intentions, although he stated that the emphasis Leo XIV has placed on unity should also be reflected in pastoral care for the faithful attached to the traditional liturgy.
“I don’t know to what extent he knows the Holy Father’s thinking, but I think one thing is clear to everyone: the Holy Father wants to bring everyone together. Everything revolves around unity,” he said.
He then expressed his main concern about maintaining the current restrictions.
“My concern is that, if these restrictions remain, people will feel they have no other choice but to seek spiritual nourishment in the most traditional way the Church celebrates worship.”
The archbishop added that the question of unity must be considered from both perspectives.
“I think there is concern for unity on both sides. One of those concerns is that, if the restrictions remain, people will end up turning to groups that are not in full communion with the See of Rome.”
At the same time, he clarified that broader access to the traditional liturgy must be accompanied by the assurance that those who participate in it remain fully united to the Church and accept the teachings of the Second Vatican Council. According to him, that has generally been the experience of the Church in the United States.
“Young people love tradition”
Cordileone went further when asked whether Traditionis custodes constitutes a viable long-term policy.
“To be honest, I don’t think it’s realistic,” he replied.
The archbishop based that assessment on the growing interest of new generations in the Church’s liturgical tradition.
“We see the younger generation. They all love tradition. They love the more classical way the Church celebrates worship.”
According to him, that interest is not limited to the celebration of the traditional Mass, but also extends to celebrations of the reformed rite carried out with greater solemnity, sacred music, and the priest facing ad orientem.
“Even the current form of the Mass, celebrated in a more traditional way, with the priest ad orientem, sacred music, great solemnity and reverence, is what they desire. They seek that deep tradition.”
Cordileone concluded by stating that this is a phenomenon which, in his view, will continue to grow.
“This is unstoppable. It has attracted many young people and will continue to do so.”
The response to Roche
The statements by the Archbishop of San Francisco respond to the remarks made this week by Cardinal Arthur Roche, who ruled out that Leo XIV has any intention of reversing the restrictions introduced by Pope Francis in Traditionis custodes or returning to the regime of Summorum Pontificum.
Roche also maintained that many bishops have already granted authorizations within the framework provided by the current regulations and questioned the claims of persecution made by some groups linked to the traditional liturgy. He also criticized the tone used by those who direct public attacks against Church leaders.