Progressive Catholic newspaper in France calls for a ceasefire in the liturgical wars started by Pope Francis

Chartres Pilgrimage: "Between the Church and the traditionalists, when will there be a de-escalation?"

It would be a horrible irony if the New Mass had an afterlife 

in the revival empowered by the Latin Mass

Rome's demands regarding the Chartres pilgrimage organized this Pentecost weekend, from June 7 to 9 by Our Lady of Christendom, are fueling a controversy. For Father Pierre Amar, a priest in the Yvelines department, appointing a special Vatican envoy to traditionalist circles could help calm the situation.

As it does every spring, the "traditionalist question" is brought to our attention. The ever-increasing columns of young people marching toward the spires of Chartres Cathedral are reawakening a painful question: that of unity among Catholics. After decades of bickering, one has the impression of a sad mess, made up of outstretched hands that are not grasped, of dialogue via websites and press releases, of Roman decrees, and successive press articles.

Let me be clear: the fact that the organizers of the Pentecost pilgrimage prefer that the priests participating in the pilgrimage celebrate Mass in the ancient form of the Roman Missal is quite consistent. But that they impose it on everyone is truly distressing (to be charitable). When I go to the Barroux monastery or the Fontgombault monastery, I celebrate according to the Latin missal used by the monks. Firstly, because I know how to do it and I can do it, which is not the case for all priests in France. But also because the proverb says: "When in Rome, do as the Romans do." However, the monks also have the kindness to ask me each time which missal I prefer to use...

A special envoy?

When there are belligerents, the immediate solution is to call for a ceasefire. Before dreaming of a peaceful resolution, let's first get everyone to stop shooting at each other.

Yes, "Cease fire!" between the traditionalists and the bishops, between Rome and the traditionalists. It is urgent to return to dialogue, to dare to trust, to meet again to get to know each other better, far from edicts, and especially far from microphones and cameras. To move forward on this issue, it seems urgent to accept a long-term approach. This seems to be the approach of the new Pope, Leo XIV, who is very sparing with his statements, but much less so with meetings of all kinds where he speaks... of the peace offered by Jesus Christ.

He has just successively appointed two special envoys to represent him: Cardinal Bustillo for the 350th anniversary of the apparitions of the Sacred Heart at the sanctuary of Paray-le-Monial and Cardinal Sarah for the festivities at the sanctuary of Sainte-Anne-d'Auray in Brittany. Could he not also appoint a special envoy to Chartres, who could then visit the entire traditionalist eco-system: its parishes, seminaries, and schools? A sort of audit in the spirit of Cardinal Gagnon's long-standing apostolic visit in 1987. It paved the way for reconciliation.

The Response of Young People

Another path is that of the pilgrims to Chartres themselves. A large number of them don't take sides against one another. They choose everything. The Catholic youth of 2025, the ones we—diocesan priests—see in our parishes on Sundays, in our scout groups, and in our chaplaincies, are capable of organizing a chapter for the Pentecost pilgrimage, but also of attending the Frat' des lycéens (High School Students' Association) and then the National Pilgrimage to Lourdes, or even the Paray-le-Monial sessions in the summer, without seeing any contradiction. Also read

"Traditional" Mass: A Rite that attracts young Catholics

If there is a topic surrounding the unity of the Church in general and the place of the "Our Lady of Christendom pilgrimage" in particular, it seems that young people offer a more pragmatic and peaceful response, far removed from preconceived notions: in the Church, there is a place for everyone, "Todos," as Pope Francis said. Could we not draw inspiration from the broad outlook of these young people who demand nothing and seek to live their faith with authenticity and depth in a world sorely lacking in hope?

Source

Cathcon: Traditionalism is not an eco-system.  It is the Catholic Faith, whole and entire.