The Traditionalist Movement, Episode 3: Rebel Priests, 1964-1978
Aug 20, 2021
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This podcast explores the resistance of priests to changes in the liturgy after Vatican II. It discusses the destruction of the Roman Rite, secret masses held by traditionalists, and the arguments about the Pope's authority in making changes. The podcast also covers the resistance of priests in Normandy and Brazil, the implementation of reforms, and the takeover of a church in France by traditionalist priests. It provides background on Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre and the founding of the Society of Saint Pius X, and highlights the role of Ana Balblinini in the traditionalist movement.
Opposition to the changes in the liturgy and Vatican II sparked the formation of traditional Latin Mass communities.
Marcel Lefebvre and the Society of Saint Pius X provided an alternative seminary formation and revitalized the Latin Mass.
The conflict between Lefebvre and the Catholic Church hierarchy led to the suppression of the society of St. Plaist the 10th and a rupture between Lefebvre and the Church.
Deep dives
Rebel Priests and Clerical Opposition
In this podcast episode, the speaker discusses the clerical opposition to the changes in the liturgy and other changes after Vatican II. Laymen and clergy have different levels of obedience to bishops, but by the mid-1970s, the official line from bishops conferences and the Vatican was that the old mass no longer existed. Different individuals and groups reacted to this in various ways, with some organizing traditional Latin mass communities in rented halls and even establishing their own parishes.
The French Traditionalist Scene
The French traditionalist scene in the 1970s was characterized by combative and extreme perspectives. Figures such as George de Nantes, Mendam Abbé Khoash, and Father Dukoborj played important roles in opposing the liturgical changes. Their criticism ranged from the new religion introduced by Vatican II to the liturgy and the lack of clear binding teachings. Amidst the chaos, Marcel Lefebvre emerged as a significant figure, known for his staunch Catholic stance and extensive missionary work in Africa.
The Society of Saint Pius X
As Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre witnessed the turmoil caused by the council, he became increasingly concerned and formed a one-year training course for seminarians. In 1970, he founded the Society of Saint Pius X, offering alternative seminary formation and teaching the Latin Mass. Within four years, the Society had grown significantly, establishing seminaries, ordaining priests, and branching out into multiple countries. By 1974, the seminary at Econ had ceased celebrating the new Mass.
Conclusion
This podcast episode highlights the opposition to the changes in the liturgy and Vatican II, particularly in the French traditionalist scene. Clerics and laypersons reacted and organized traditional Latin Mass communities in response to the official line that the old Mass no longer existed. Marcel Lefebvre and the founding of the Society of Saint Pius X played a significant role in providing an alternative seminary formation and rejuvenating the Latin Mass.
Background and Context
In the late 1970s, France experienced a decline in its seminaries and clergy recruitment. Traditional practices were changing, and the Catholic Church was undergoing reforms after the Second Vatican Council. The society of St. Plaist the 10th, led by Marcel Lefebvre, attracted attention as it continued to uphold traditional teachings and practices. Lefebvre's seminary saw an influx of French seminarians, causing concern among the French bishops. The French bishops and the Vatican formed a commission that visited Lefebvre's seminary to assess its adherence to post-conciliar standards. The visitors shocked the seminarians with their statements, expressing doubts about married clergy and the physical nature of the resurrection. This event further strained the relationship between Lefebvre and the French bishops.
Conflict and Suppression
The visitation prompted tensions between Lefebvre and the Catholic Church hierarchy. During a meeting in Rome, Lefebvre defended his traditionalist views and opposed the post-conciliar reforms. The Vatican accused him of opposition to the Council, the pope, and the reforms, citing his private declaration as evidence. Despite Lefebvre's argument that he was carrying on tradition, the Vatican ordered the suppression of the society of St. Plaist the 10th, declaring it in opposition to the Church's teachings. Lefebvre refused to comply and continued to ordain new priests in defiance of the Vatican's orders. The conflict escalated with Pope Paul VI's suspension of Lefebvre from the priesthood, leading to a rupture between Lefebvre and the Church hierarchy.
In this episode, we will look at some of the priests (and a few bishops) who resisted the suppression of the old Roman rite during the 1960s and 70s. We discuss how arguments over the liturgy inevitably involved disputes about the Second Vatican Council, and the reforms implemented in the immediate post-conciliar period, as well as the series of events that would lead to the separation of the Society of St. Pius X from communion with Rome.
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