Defend the TLM: Here's How!

Add your voice to those stepping up to defend the Mass of the Ages!

Catholic blogger Damian Thompson (@holysmoke on Twitter/X) notes that "It's clear that further persecution of the TLM is extremely controversial in Rome, and that publication of this document (perhaps tomorrow) would horrify senior members of the Curia." He goes on to report that "Vatican sources say anti-TLM document is ready and...Archbishop Viola is desperate for the Pope to approve it, possibly tomorrow...but that "Francis is not convinced. This could change at any moment."

Mr. Thompson urges his readers to sign the MacMillan petition on Change.org.

From the Petition:

My name is Sir James MacMillan. I'm a Scottish composer who, along with many other people in the arts and public life, wrote to The Times on 3 July pleading with the Vatican to end its recent policy of banning the ancient Traditional Latin Mass from Catholic parishes around the world. 

Signatories included the human rights campaigner Bianca Jagger, fellow musicians Dame Kiri Te Kanawa, Lord Lloyd-Webber and Sir András Schiff; historians Tom Holland and A.N. Wilson; Tristram Hunt, director of the Victoria and Albert Museum; Lord Stirrup, former Chief of the Defence Staff; and the fashion designer Sir Paul Smith. 

Some of them are Catholics, but many are non-Catholics and they include non-believers. All of us recognise that, to quote the letter, the destruction of the Traditional Latin Mass would be 'an unnecessary and insensitive act in a world where history can all too easily slip away forgotten'. 

There are continuing reports from Rome that the Vatican, having already severely restricted access to the Latin Mass, is planning what would amount to a formal worldwide ban on its celebration in ordinary parishes. 

This petition, like the Times letter, is entirely ecumenical and non-political. Whatever your beliefs, I urge you to sign it as a gesture of support for those Catholics who have found spiritual solace in the old Latin Mass and now – at a time when religious minorities around the globe are facing harassment – face the prospect of being forced to disown their own precious heritage. Please keep any messages of support respectful, as this petition does in any way not challenge the authority of Pope Francis and attacks on him would damage our cause.

You can sign the petition by following this link: Petition · Stop the ban on the Traditional Latin Mass - United Kingdom · Change.org