Pope, in interview, laments ‘rigidity’ of youth who prefer Latin Mass

I was going to respond to this, but so many readers have, and so well, that I have nothing to add. Except perhaps that it becomes more and more difficult to cling to the doctrine that Holy Spirit informs the election of Popes. One has to hold to it, of course, but it ain’t easy. And then, I am critical of the rioters against the election of last week, so I cannot oppose the Conclave of 2013. And finally, the Church survived Alexander VI; she will survive Francis. The Gates of Hell....

“Dig, dig, this rigidity always hides something.” In a way he’s right. His rigid manner of insulting anyone, whose motivations he constantly and judgmentally condemns without basis, is probably hiding a level of papal narcissism.

How dare the Pope insult my students by calling them rigid! They hide nothing, not their love of God, not their respect for the President elect, not their devotion to the Church. For 20 years I have fought against real rigidity among EF parishioners, and for 10 years before that against OF parishioners and priests. I know rigidity, and it is far, far less present in the EF communities than in the OF parishes. A person who cannot understand someone's preference for the EF is just plain ignorant.

"Pope Benedict accomplished a just and magnanimous gesture to reach out to a certain mindset of some groups and persons who felt nostalgia and were distancing themselves." The historical reality is it's more than nostalgia that animates these folks. For most concern for justice- for rendering to God the worship due- is primary. The Christian vocation involves testimony and love. These are necessarily rigid; look to the Cross. Thus martyrdom is never too far removed from the shadows we cast.

If some young people who were not raised with the Latin Mass prefer it, that should tell you everything you need to know about that "rigidity". You are sitting in judgement on the motives and feelings of others au contraire to your own statement.

It's beyond belief that he doesn't know what ‘reform of the reform’ refers to. He is a leftist and an angry man, and that's what his own rigidity is hiding. He is a text-book study of what the Holy Spirit protects against and what is not protected. We must double our prayers that the Holy Spirit grants him discernment.

Most Catholics are unaware that has always been a Latin version of the "New Mass"—actually it's the original text from which all vernacular translations derive. Our parish celebrates one such Mass every Sunday. The Latin language connects us powerfully with the centuries of Catholics who came before us. To those who complain that no one understands Latin anymore, I answer that it's easy to become familiar with the very simple Latin of the Mass. Make the effort!

The Holy Father doesn't seem to realize how routinely judgmental he is and how hurtful his sometimes negative and harsh opinions are to many faithful and faith-filled bishops, priests, religious and laity. It is mystery and a contradiction.

The Pope's positions continue to demonstrate his apparent lack of knowledge. It does not take much theology to distinguish between the use of Latin and the older form of the liturgy. Latin is certainly a culturally unifying aspect, but it is the older form itself that presents us with a Mass that is centered on the suffering Christ rather than fostering a participant focused celebration. Many airy Catholics no longer seem to grasp this. Latin was merely a worthy and effective servant.

Poor guy. He doesn't just leave the 99 to go after the lost one, he kicks and beats the handful still in the fold hoping that'll bring the 90% of the flock that disappeared. Let me know how that works out for ya.

I would argue that young people generally come to love the old Mass on an affective or aesthetic level before they get into the ideology that sets that at odds with the new Mass in a problematic way. But there is often also a reaction against liberal theological and moral deviations involved; many are disillusioned with the way of thinking of those who ushered in the new Mass because they have in fact often failed as teachers and guides in the faith. Young people wanted fish and were given snake

Perhaps the Holy Father is thinking of those people who think that the traditional Latin Mass is objectively better than the Novus Ordo Mass. It's one thing to prefer it aesthetically, but unfortunately, many go beyond that.

The rigidity of this Pope, and his hypocritical unwillingness to follow his own advice about "the importance of listening to others" is a scandal that will do nothing but harm the Church. I pray for him daily, while he continues to do nothing but insult and defame those who disagree with him.

I find it increasingly difficult to avoid concluding that his Holiness is not an ideologue. Could there be no legitimate grounds for preferring the EF over the (Anglican) OF? He sounds very much like defenders of Obama/Clinton who see racism/misogyny behind every critique, as if there could be no legitimate ground for it. Great way to perceive your "adversaries" as less than human. The Pope's criticism cannot be reconciled with humble listening and introspection.