Traditionalism in the church is successful – as a fringe phenomenon

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Congratulations, Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter: for the first time, the number of members has risen to over 10,000. With its focus on the Traditional Latin Mass, the traditionalist community, founded in 1988, is succeeding in doing what the mainstream church is despairing of: it is growing steadily, the seminaries are well filled and it also appeals to young people. A success story.

However, it would be a mistake to see traditionalism and the increased openness to the Traditional Latin Mass as the key to getting more people interested in the church again. As much as groups such as the Petrusbruderschaft succeed in giving supporters of certain positions - for example with regard to issues such as the image of the family or the protection of life - a home: It is absolutely a marginal phenomenon.

In contrast, there is still much more commitment in the classic church structures, which are orientated towards the innovations of the Second Vatican Council: In the almost 10,000 German parishes, church services are celebrated daily and countless young people serve as altar servers. Then there are the large and strong associations: from the Kolping Society for Families (around 200,000 members) to the women's associations and the Federation of German Catholic Youth (BDKJ), in which around 660,000 children and young people are organised.

They all celebrate services in the national language, with the active participation of the faithful. Increased celebrations of the Eucharist in Latin and an emphasis on strict traditionalist values are difficult to imagine. That would drive people away on a grand scale, but not attract new ones. As legitimate as some people's fascination with the Traditional Latin Mass and times long past may be, it is neither a model nor a role model for the broad masses.