THE TAOS TATLER.

William Goh Seng Chye Archbishop of Singapore

Change is likely coming to Vatican policies, including, possibly, the celebration of Usus Antiquior, the Traditional Latin Mass. That is, if Cardinal Chye of Singapore has anything to do with it.

In a wide-ranging interview with the Daily Compass, the Cardinal spoke supportively of the new Pope, saying,  “. . . I think Pope Leone XIV is exactly the Pope the world needs right now.” And, “The new Pope will not be ambiguous and will not leave the interpretation of what he says up to each individual.”

Regarding TLM, that statement could be interpreted negatively as meaning the Latin Mass will be universally suppressed, as it is not now (for example, compare the Archdiocese of New Mexico, with its strict enforcement of the edict, with that of New York’s).

His Eminence, however, does not seem to be of that mind. When asked what will become of those who prefer the Latin Mass, his response was encouraging:

Personally, I believe there is no reason to stop people who prefer the Tridentine Mass . . . Of course, the unity of the Church must be preserved, but we already have different rites, such as the Syro-Malabar rite. We can accept different ways of celebrating the Eucharist, so I believe we should not stifle those who prefer the Tridentine rite. Ultimately, what matters is not the rite or the form in which it is celebrated, but whether one encounters God in depth. [Italics added.]

Personally, Bickerstaff believes some of the more zealous proponents of TLM could benefit reading that last sentence of his Eminence. Your mostly humble blogger must also acknowledge the opinions expressed above are those of only one cardinal. However, this one cardinal, His Eminence Cardinal Chye, is  influential among his peers and well liked. As Nico Spuntoni, his interviewer, wrote of him,

Several cardinals told us that Cardinal William Goh Seng Chye’s speech was one of the most appreciated during the general congregations. This comes as no surprise, as the archbishop is known for his doctrinal clarity, pastoral zeal, and liturgical sensitivity.

It seems a certainty to Bickerstaff that the cardinal will have influence on Pope Leo XIV, especially as the latter seems much more open to other’s opinions, as opposed to his predecessor.

We will have to wait and see, but things appear to be looking up for Catholic tradionalists.

A FaceBook posting, put up by David Gabler, of a short piece by John Samuel Craig; it is quoted here in its entirety because there isn’t a single wasted word.

Regardless of your politics, I’d encourage you to consider this picture: the beautiful, brilliant, daughter of Indian immigrants. A man who grew up without a father and a drug addicted mother, who joined the military and then attended and graduated from the #1 law school in America on the GI bill. The first American pope, a Godly man, faithful to Catholic doctrine, who spent ten years in Peru, sleeping on dirt floors and serving the poor. The son of Cuban immigrants who fled Castro’s Cuba. His mother was a maid. His father was a bartender. And his wife, the beautiful daughter of Columbian immigrants.
We have recently seen some of the worst of America. Here’s a picture of the best.

John Samuel Craig

h/t Fr Peter West

May God bless America.

There are unconfirmed reports containing good news regarding Cardinal Sarah, who was on the outs with Pope Francis. Apparently, he has been restored to grace by Pope Leo XIV and has been appointed by Leo, who created the position,  Special Papal Envoy to Sub-Saharan countries. Those countries are far more conservative in their Catholic beliefs and practices than most Western countries, which has caused much antagonism between Pope Francis and church leaders in the south. Sarah’s assignment, should he choose accept it (to paraphrase a long-ago television program), is to reconcile the parties, and repair the damages done by the previous reign.

Sarah’s job will be a tough one, which may explain why he will answer to Pope Leo alone. It may also be to avoid papal politics interfering with his job, making him a powerful man indeed; quite a reversal in the fortunes of Cardinal Sarah.

Bickerstaff expects there shall be more surprises coming from our pope soon.

From the New York Post

Palm Springs IVF clinic bomber ID’d as Guy Edward Bartkus, a ‘pro-mortalist’ who opposed people being born ‘without their consent’

It is reasonable to assume the late miscreant was not a Catholic.

More from the Post.

A 25-year-old self-described “pro-mortalist” has been identified as the attacker who detonated a car bomb outside a fertility clinic in Palm Springs Saturday — killing himself and injuring four other people, according to sources.

Guy Edward Bartkus, of Twentynine Palms, is believed to have detonated an explosive device in his car outside the American Reproductive Centers, which performs IVF treatments, egg collections and other procedures, law enforcement sources told The Post

But the clincher in this bizarre tale is Barkus seemed to have considered himself a humanitarian of sorts, though his humanitarian instincts, such as the, manifested themselves in a rather peculiar way.

Bartkus allegedly described his fanatical pro-death beliefs in written and recorded manifestos as being against bringing people into the world without their consent to spare them from future suffering, [Italics added]. KCAL news reported.

. . . but only if it’s done right.

From the Catholic News Agency:

The Pontifical Institute of Sacred Music said this week it is launching its “Let’s Sing with the Pope” initiative as a series of “short educational video tutorials” to make Gregorian music accessible to everyone.

“Done right,” meaning more than simply announcing the program and hoping parishes might adopt it. Instead, this admirable project must be promoted heavily, emphasizing that chant is an integral part of Catholic worship going back to the earliest days of the Church.

The title of the series, Let’s Sing with the Pope, initially struck your Tatler as somewhat namby-pamby, as well absurd, for it presumably was conceived during the reign of the late Pope Francis. The notion of chanting with him, for some, might have had as much appeal as singing along with a surly detention officer.

Pope Leo, however, at this admitedly early juncture, not only seems to be well-familiar with chant,  but also gives indication of being one of the most popular popes in a long time. If the Pontifical Institute of Sacred Music can somehow arrange an endorsement from Leo of their worthy project, it might result in Let’s Sing with the Pope becoming much in demand. And, in hopeful speculation by this writer, it just might generate interest in the original context of where Catholic chant was sung, Usus Antiquior.

h/t Fr Peter West

This piece might have you believe it.

From For What it’s Worth

I’d seen a few cautiously optimistic reactions to the Supreme Court’s 7-2 decision requiring individual “due process hearings” for each person who came across the border these past 4 years, with or without official permission, but “Legal Insurrection’s Professor William Jacobson shares my own dire view: we’re screwed.

***

The decision goes far beyond whether these people can be removed using a novel method of applying the Aliens and Sedition Act — as the court notes “[T] he Government may remove the named plaintiffs or putative class members under other lawful authorities” but those are meaningless words when coupled with the requirement that government conduct individual hearings for each and every one of them.

Biden let in so many illegals that it will be simply impossible to process them as per the Supreme Court decision. They are here to stay, including the gang members, rapists, drug dealers, and all the rest. To those who argue the majority of illegals have no criminal records, President Trump has rightly pointed out they are already law breakers being here illegally. They are hardly the wholesome types their supporters might insist.

The Left is hell-bent on turning the United States into a third-world country. The vast majority of the populace will suffer hugely should they succeed, but with the mental blinkers firmly in place, they reject that possibility and heap abuse on those who argue it. The only comfort, albeit small, is that leaders of revolutions, other than ours, are quickly destroyed themselves afterward.

By no means should we be claiming a belated victory. None of those aiding and abetting media clowns have pleaded mea culpa. Instead, they’re cranking out book$ claiming they were duped. By whom, we ask?

In his column today, Kruiser covers the above complaint and the degree of damage done by Biden’s henchmen. An excerpt is below.

There is no sweetness with this vindication, however. Being right doesn’t erase all that went on leading up to having it be proven. The damage done to the Republic while it was being run by a drooling moron and his commie handlers is going to be difficult to undo. President Trump is doing his best, but the Biden puppet presidency was an absolute wrecking ball. 

Christ’s peace is not the silence of the tomb after a conflict, and it is not the result of subjugation. Peace is a gift that gazes at others and renews their lives. Let us pray for this peace, which is reconciliation, forgiveness, and courage to turn the page and start again.

Two thoughts:

1) A lovely, if a tad idealistic, sentiment and certainly one for which must strive.

2) What a joy to read English from the Holy Father that isn’t  translated.

Robert Royal is editor-in-chief of The Catholic Thing and president of the Faith & Reason Institute in Washington, D.C.

Your Tatler, heartened to note that Royal’s feelings about Leo XIV are essentially the same as his own, naturally felt it necessary to share them, though only with excerpts, so that you would feel compelled to read his entire essay. It’s longish, but well worth the effort.

LEO XIV: LITURGY, THE HEART, AND THE POST MODERN CITY

The world is still a bit giddy over what happened in Rome the past few weeks. I’ve been present in the Urbs Aeterna over decades, for a couple of conclaves, and many Vatican events. As I recently confessed (here), these past dozen years I’ve felt great weariness and distaste, for obvious reasons, at all that Church business. But I have to record that the emotion that greeted Leo XIV when he stepped out onto the loggia of St. Peter’s was – in both intensity and quality (whoever expected to hear Italians shouting il papa americano!) – like nothing I’ve ever seen. I felt it myself, deeply, too.

***

One of the things that many of us have noticed about Pope Leo is the way he seems grounded – “based” in the current slang – in his spiritual formation as an Augustinian and in what seems a manly and genuine serenity. One Chicagoan who knows him a bit told me, “At least he’s not crazy.” That is probably setting too low a bar for the successor to Pope Francis, but we’re right to expect some great things given the more traditional way Leo has conducted himself – his traditional vestments on the loggia, his careful celebrations of the liturgies, and his well thought-out and delivered remarks at every event to date.

***

Several commentators have expressed the hope that he will bring back Pope Benedict XVI’s openness to the Traditional Latin Mass, which there’s reason to think he might. Given the calmness he seems to be deliberately cultivating – not an artificial media strategy but something that seems to radiate from his basic personality.

It’s good that he emphasized peace towards all in his first public words as pope. Catholics shouldn’t get too agitated if he continues to push immigration and climate concerns. These are “issues” that don’t go to the heart of what the Faith needs to be mid-21st century. But he’s going to need a more robust philosophical and theological framework for that effort – especially in trying to think through the promise and peril of AI – as Leo XIII did in his revival of Thomism. It will be interesting – and indicative – to see who is selected to help in that effort.

Again, read it all, especially as Royal makes interesting comparisons between XIII and XIV.