The Vatican and the SSPX: repairing the damage—Part II

By Phil Lawler ( bio - articles - email ) | Jul 10, 2026

Yesterday in this space I argued that in the wake of the SSPX schism, good Catholics of all descriptions should take the advice of Pope Benedict XVI and “make every effort to enable for all those who truly desire unity to remain in that unity or to attain it anew.” In that first part of my essay I concentrated on what not to do, and particularly on the missteps that traditionalists should avoid. Here in Part II my focus will be on the positive steps that Church leaders should take.

First, undo the damage caused by Traditionis Custodes

If the goal of Pope Francis was to enhance Church unity, his 2021 apostolic letter has been a failure. The initiative was based on false information and a faulty judgment. Its practical effect has been to increase the tensions between tradition-minded Catholics and the hierarchy. Since Traditionis essentially reversed Summorum Pontificum, it seems obvious that Pope Leo, too, could reverse his predecessor’s policy.

Since Pope Leo took office there have been signs that he is disposed to allow diocesan bishops more freedom to accommodate the legitimate requests of traditionalists, loosening the tight restrictions of the previous regime. But he could do more than issue subtle signals; he could abolish the restrictions and actively encourage the “mutual enrichment” that Pope Benedict sought. Indeed if he had done so earlier in his pontificate, the new Pope would have given tradition-minded Catholics more confidence in his leadership—and consequently, less sympathy for the SSPX members who defied him.

Prominent Vatican officials, past and present, have reached that same conclusion. “Traditionis Custodes has failed; we must return to Summorum Pontificum,” says Cardinal Gerhard Müller, the former prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. “Maintaining the prohibitions is an assist to Lefebvrist propaganda.”

“We need to rethink Traditionis Custodes, especially for those faithful who feel drawn to [the traditional liturgy] without sharing the ideology of the SSPX,” agrees Cardinal Kurt Koch—who is, by the way, the prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity.

Cardinal Angelo Bagnasco, the retired Archbishop of Genoa, recognizes the pastoral wisdom of encouraging the traditional liturgy, as allowed by Summorum: ‘If, in this area, differences do not become absolutes, banners, or parties, then why not? The good of souls is the mission of the Church.”

And it should be no surprise that Archbishop Georg Gänswein, the longtime secretary to Pope Benedict, sees the same wisdom in Summorum. “I believe that Pope Francis made a mistake, without realizing it,” he says of Traditionis. He acknowledges that Pope Francis was seeking unity, “but it had the opposite effect.” He goes on to suggest:

Speaking frankly, I believe that Rome can now open to the possibility of being more flexible, generous, and paternal with regard to the possibility of celebrating Mass in Latin.

Second, crack down on serious liturgical abuses in the Novus Ordo.

Many faithful Catholics have become traditionalists after fleeing from parishes where the Mass was celebrated without reverence, where liturgical rubrics were ignored, where the altar became an ideological showcase. For some such refugees from liturgical corruption, the SSPX was the only readily available alternative.

Now, having learned to love the ancient liturgy, those Catholics ask why the only priests subject to prompt disciplinary action by the hierarchy are those who celebrate the Traditional Latin Mass. Why are they expected to adhere to strict liturgical guidelines, when so many other priests make their own rules?

“I believe we must put an end to the abuses of the liturgy,” says Cardinal Antonio Maria Rouco Varela, the retired Archbishop of Madrid, noting that some practices that are common today are contrary to the actual recommendations of Vatican II. He argues: “The liturgy of Vatican II must be celebrated properly, and we also need understanding for those who prefer the old rite.”

Bishop Johannes Henriks of Amsterdam has a similar perspective. He has urged his priests to welcome lay Catholics who have been active in the SSPX, understanding that many of them have had “disappointing experiences within the Catholic Church, such as a lack of reverence and fidelity to Church and faith.”

Third, reassure traditionalists that they are welcome.

The SSPX has broken with Rome, but the many thousands of traditionalist Catholics who are not affiliated with the SSPX should not be regarded as second-class citizens in their dioceses. (That was, unfortunately, the result of Traditionis Custodes). At the same time, those who have worshipped with the SSPX, but do not want to join in the schism, should be extended a warm welcome.

In Norway, Bishop Fredrick Hansen of Oslo recognized this pastoral challenge, and issued a message to all traditionalists:

You wish to be able to take part in the liturgical celebration according to the 1962 Missal. Many of you also look to a spiritual expression and a spirituality shaped by the pre-conciliar liturgy. I understand this. Masses according to the 1962 Missal are celebrated every Sunday at St. Joseph Church in Oslo. This will continue. If there is a need for it, and if it would be for the good of the Church and of souls, I will also expand this form of Mass celebration in our local Church.

In Minnesota, Bishop Bernard Hebna of St. Paul-Minneapolis sounded a similar note:

At this difficult moment, we are blessed that the same traditional Eucharistic liturgy beloved by those who have worshipped with the SSPX in the past continues to be celebrated in six locations throughout the archdiocese,” Hebda said. “I am confident that those who prefer the Traditional Latin Mass could find a home here.

In Bridgeport, Connecticut, Bishop Frank Caggiano also put out the welcome mat, saying: “I invite home those who previously worshipped with the Society.” He added: “The reverent worship that has drawn those faithful remains very much alive in our own parishes.”

Finally, if diocesan bishops should make special efforts to welcome traditionalists, it follows that the Vatican should reprimand bishops who show an active hostility toward the traditionalists in the flock. The Diocese of Charlotte might be a good place to start.