Traditional Mass in Madrid takes a hit from Cardinal Cobo: Veto, prohibition and exclusion for the Faithful

A group of faithful from the Community of Madrid recently sent a letter to Jesús González Alemany, their regional episcopal vicar (Vicariate VII), a position of direct trust of Cobo, with a specific and deeply felt request: that one of the Sunday Masses in their territory be celebrated according to the liturgical form of the 1962 Missal, commonly known as the "Traditional Mass" or "Latin Mass."

In the letter, signed by residents of Pozuelo de Alarcón, Boadilla del Monte, and other nearby towns, the signatories express their appreciation for current parish life while sharing their personal and family discovery of the traditional liturgy, described as "a treasure accumulated over the centuries" and linked to saints such as Saint John of the Cross, Saint Maximilian Kolbe, and Saint John Paul II. They emphasize the special appeal this liturgy holds for young people, "starting with our own children, who love it even more than we do."

The petition does not demand radical changes, but rather the possibility of celebrating a weekly Sunday Mass in the liturgical form prior to the 1970 reform. They also assure that the faithful themselves would be responsible for organizing the choir, music, and altar servers for a worthy celebration.

A response with a legal basis: Traditionis custodes

However, the response received, signed by the vicar, refers directly to the motu proprio Traditionis custodes, promulgated by Pope Francis on July 16, 2021. Specifically, it invokes Article 3.6 of the document, which prohibits bishops from authorizing the creation of new groups that celebrate with the Missal prior to the 1970 liturgical reform, even in dioceses where communities already do so.

The communication emphasizes that the papal document is motivated by the concern to maintain liturgical unity as an expression of ecclesial communion. It states that, far from integrating sensibilities, the proliferation of celebrations according to the ancient rite "has deepened the fracture of that communion."

In addition to the doctrinal explanation, the Motu proprio was attached in full to the response e-mail, for the information of the applicants.

A nod to the faithful's request

If a bishop has pastoral understanding and a sincere desire to welcome all the faithful who wish to live their faith in communion with the Church, he can certainly authorize the celebration of the traditional Mass according to the 1962 Missal. Traditiones Custodes grants him this exclusive power, establishing conditions that, properly interpreted, are not an insurmountable obstacle but rather a guide to ensure that such a celebration is carried out in fidelity to the Pope and the Magisterium. When there is a stable group of devout faithful, respectful of the Council and legitimate authority, there is no objective pastoral reason to deny them this spiritual nourishment.

Therefore, the refusal to allow these celebrations, when done without heeding the believing hearts of the faithful or their legitimate desire to live the liturgy inherited for centuries, responds more to an ideological stance. It is based on an exclusive vision of the Church that distrusts the Roman liturgical heritage itself and considers suspect—if not downright disloyal—those who love it and call for its preservation. This attitude contradicts pastoral charity, breaks ecclesial communion, and unjustly marginalizes those who wish to remain in the Church without renouncing the form that nourished generations of saints.

The Church cannot be built on the principle of exclusion, much less on liturgical persecution. Unity is not achieved by repressing legitimate diversity or demanding emotional or theological uniformity.

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