What's Going On With Traditionis Custodes?
- tlm-friends
- Jul 2
- 2 min read
Updated: Jul 4
A new report suggests that most bishops praised the Traditional Latin Mass and warned that Traditionis Custodes’ restrictions do more harm than good.
There are some interesting bits of news coming out of Rome, thanks to journalist Diane Montagna. She obtained what she describes as the “official Vatican assessment” of the 2020 questionnaire sent to bishops on the implementation of Summorum Pontificum. According to her report, a significant majority of respondents expressed positive experiences with the Extraordinary Form, noting its role in deepening faith life and liturgical participation. Montagna’s analysis challenges the narrative that the survey predominantly revealed abuses or divisions.
The leaked documents, posted in full on Montagna’s Substack and linked via her X (formerly Twitter) thread, include raw PDF excerpts showing bishops applauding the Traditional Latin Mass for its capacity to foster vocations and attract young Catholics. Several dioceses reported increases in Sunday attendance and sacramental requests after restoring the Extraordinary Form. Montagna highlights that only a small minority of bishops raised concerns serious enough to warrant restrictions.
This account appears at odds with Pope Francis’ statement in Traditionis Custodes that the survey results “preoccupy and sadden” him. While the Vatican has not officially authenticated Montagna’s documents, commentators suggest that even isolated critical responses might have disproportionately shaped the motu proprio. Should these newly published assessments prove genuine, they could prompt renewed calls for dialogue over restrictions on the Extraordinary Form.
Selected quotes from bishops in Montagna’s leaked assessment:
“The Extraordinary Form is drawing a younger demographic to the pews in a way the Ordinary Form never did.”
“Our seminary numbers have improved by 15 percent since offering the Latin Mass.”
“The reverence and sense of the sacred in the Extraordinary Form fosters a deeper understanding of the mystery of the Eucharist.”
Diane Montagna discusses her findings in this video put out by The Mass of the Ages:
This is something many of us have always suspected about that survey. Although intense and disturbingly effective, the animus against the TLM seems to be concentrated in a number of limited (but influential) individuals. Let's pray that the "Mass of the Ages" will emerge once more into the bright sunlight where Catholics the world over can experience its beauty!