Pig Latin

On Saturday, Pope Benedict XVI issued a decree removing the restriction of using the traditional Latin mass. Otherwise known as the “Tridentine Rite,” the Latin mass has been part of the Catholic Church for centuries. But its use was restricted as a result of the Vatican II Council (1962-1965) and subsequently the local dialect of the area where a church was located was permitted. Besides allowing the use of the local language, Vatican II struck down the use of texts that were prejudiced against Jews. Predictably enough, liberals and Jews were the most outraged by the decree.

It seems as if the pope has taken a step back in time by giving into conservative Catholics who split from the Church after Vatican II. The pope believes that by using the traditional mass, the sacred aura of the church will be restored. Granted, there is a good chance that most Catholics will not be hearing the traditional mass when they arrive at church next Sunday, as no changes were made to the traditional missal used in every Catholic Church. But there will be cases of outrage that will arise from the decree, which may or my not influence the next pope’s stance on the issue.

Undoubtedly the appeal of Catholicism to the general public will be hurt by this decree and will chase the younger generation away from the church. On top of that, the decree will erase the good will and sense of tolerance towards other faiths that Pope John Paul II spread during his tenure as Bishop of Rome. Compared to John Paul II, Benedict is a hard line conservative who has brought forth the old feelings of ill will towards the Catholic Church. I’m not conjecturing that his election was a mistake. But if the church wants to be the “church of the 21st century,” the next pope will surely be younger and more liberal. Maybe then we can finally move on.