But no ban on the Tridentine Mass at traditionalist pilgrimage

After rumours about a possible ban on the Tridentine Mass at the traditional pilgrimage to Chartres, it can now take place as planned. "Despite rumours about a possible ban on the final mass in the cathedral, Mons. Cristory, Bishop of Chartres, has confirmed that he will be there to receive you," reads a press release issued by the organisers at the weekend. The closing service will be celebrated in the cathedral as usual.

Around 18,000 people took part in the traditionalist pilgrimage last May. At that time, the German Cardinal Gerhard Ludwig Müller celebrated the closing mass. It is still unclear who will be the celebrant this year. In December, rumours arose that the Vatican was considering a possible ban on the closing mass in the pre-conciliar rite. It was feared that the organisers would not adhere to the norms for the celebration of the Tridentine Mass. They had also not received authorisation from Rome.

Vatican already intervened in Spain

After the rumours became known, the organisers reacted with incomprehension. It was difficult to explain such a ban by the Vatican to the participants, they said. The local bishop of Chartres, Philippe Christory, then criticised such an attitude. He also hoped for a decision from Rome: "If anyone has to decide, it's the Pope".

In 2021, Pope Francis reversed the liberalisation of the celebration of the traditional Latin Mass introduced by his predecessor Benedict XVI with the motu proprio "Traditionis custodes". The head of the Church thus imposed new and, above all, stricter conditions, which were subsequently tightened by the responsible liturgical dicastery under Cardinal Arthur Roche. Last summer, the Vatican had already intervened in the Spanish traditionalist pilgrimage in the archdiocese of Oviedo, similar to that in Chartres in France, and prohibited the final mass in the pre-conciliar rite. (mtr)