• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Corpus Christi Watershed

Pope Saint Paul VI (3 April 1969): “Although the text of the Roman Gradual—at least that which concerns the singing—has not been changed, the Entrance antiphons and Communions antiphons have been revised for Masses without singing.”

  • Donate
  • Our Team
    • Our Editorial Policy
    • Who We Are
    • How To Contact Us
    • Sainte Marie Bulletin Articles
    • Jeff’s Mom Joins Fundraiser
  • Pew Resources
    • Brébeuf Catholic Hymnal
    • Jogues Illuminated Missal
    • Repository • “Spanish Music”
    • KYRIALE • Saint Antoine Daniel
    • Campion Missal, 3rd Edition
  • MUSICAL WEBSITES
    • René Goupil Gregorian Chant
    • Noël Chabanel Psalms
    • Nova Organi Harmonia (2,279 pages)
    • Roman Missal, 3rd Edition
    • Catechism of Gregorian Rhythm
    • Father Enemond Massé Manuscripts
    • Lalemant Polyphonic
    • Feasts Website
  • Miscellaneous
    • Site Map
    • Secrets of the Conscientious Choirmaster
    • “Wedding March” for lazy organists
    • Emporium Kevin Allen
    • Saint Jean de Lalande Library
    • Sacred Music Symposium 2023
    • The Eight Gregorian Modes
    • Gradual by Pothier’s Protégé
    • Seven (7) Considerations
Views from the Choir Loft

Did Pope Francis Just Publicly Rebuke the Prefect of Divine Worship?

Jeff Ostrowski · February 7, 2023

HOSE WHO STUDY papal pronouncements and decrees are taught to take into consideration—that is, seek to understand—the “mind of the lawgiver.” Since our blog is concerned with the sacred liturgy, it’s worth noting something that took place recently. On 3 February 2023, Pope Francis met with the Catholic bishops of the Democratic Republic of Congo. His Holiness responded to a hypothetical retort: “But I don’t know, because the code [of Canon Law] tells me…” Then Pope Francis said: “We must observe the code, because it is serious, but the heart of the pastor goes beyond it.”

Traditiónis Custódes • What is the mind of the lawgiver when it comes to Traditionis Custodes, a Motu Proprio which sought to slow down the spread of the Traditional Latin Mass? The lawgiver has emphasized having a “pastoral heart” rather than a rigid, legalistic, and restrictive application. Indeed, Pope Francis said on 13 July 2022: “Be open to acceptance, and hence to the value of inclusion. Don’t let yourselves be drawn into short-sighted ideologies that want to show others—those who are different from ourselves—as enemies.” On 26 September 2021, Pope Francis said: “The Holy Spirit does not want closedness; He wants openness, and welcoming communities where there is a place for everyone.”

Cardinal Roche In The Crosshairs? • Arthur Cardinal Roche has not had an easy time of it lately. Not long ago, he was publicly contradicted by Pope Francis vis-à-vis the traditional PONTIFICALE ROMANUM. On 16 June 2022, Cardinal Roche made shameful comments about Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, which came off as ill-conceived and churlish. Now, the words of Pope Francis to the bishops of the Democratic Republic of Congo are being interpreted as a public rebuke of the beleaguered Roche. Cardinal Roche (in a way some feel approaches “megalomania”) has endorsed an overly-rigid, overly-restrictive interpretation of Traditionis Custodes. Cardinal Roche even published a letter encouraging parishes to ostracize and belittle Catholics who have an appreciation for the Extraordinary Form, which—before being made a cardinal—Archbishop Roche had praised as more “reverent” (his word) than the Ordinary Form.

Jeff’s Advice • I will not repeat what I said in the open letter I published (reluctantly, and with deep sadness). But I do have some advice for Cardinal Roche: Stop encouraging parishioners to ostracize Catholics manifesting what Pope Saint John Paul II referred to as “legitimate aspirations.” Our church does not need more division. The Second Vatican Council declared: “Even in the Liturgy, the Church has no wish to impose a rigid uniformity in matters which do not implicate the faith or the good of the whole community.” Cardinal Roche, your time would be better spent addressing the catastrophically serious liturgical abuses which are causing great harm to the church and, thanks to the internet, irreparable scandal. It certainly seems absurdly evil to claim—as Cardinal Roche has done—that’s it’s wrong to celebrate the ancient Mass inside a parish church, but virtually anything else (such as choir rehearsal, tours of the statues, speeches, graduations, concerts, cleaning the pews, etc.) is not wrong when it takes place in the self-same parish church.

Roche’s Anger? • Needless to say, I cannot read Cardinal Roche’s heart. But in my opinion, he seems irritated by the response of (most) bishops to TRADITIONIS CUSTODES. That document placed the liturgy more firmly under the control of the local bishop, and Cardinal Roche seems opposed to this. The “Ordinary Form” Catholics have possession of all the property, schools, rectories, chanceries, universities, and churches, whereas the “Extraordinary Form” Catholics have absolutely nothing—so it’s difficult to understand why Cardinal Roche is obsessed with belittling and ostracizing them. Indeed, Cardinal Roche should seriously consider reading what Nathan told King David. If memory serves, Roche only served as bishop of a diocese for a very short period of time before going into bureaucratic posts. He seems unaware of a very important Church law, which says: The salvation of souls is the supreme law of the Church.

Legal Positivism • There’s an old saying: “For their enemies, evil men impose Canon Law; for their friends, evil men interpret Canon Law.” Cardinal Roche seems to be endorsing an overly-rigid interpretation of TRADITIONIS CUSTODES. But if one reads the document with rigidity, it doesn’t attack the 1962 Missal at all. The precise words of TRADITIONIS CUSTODES attempt to slow the spread of “the Missal antecedent to the reform of 1970”—which is the 1965 Missal, not the 1962 Missal.

Opinions by blog authors do not necessarily represent the views of Corpus Christi Watershed.

Filed Under: Articles Tagged With: 1965 Missal, Bishop Arthur Roche, Traditionis Custodes Motu Proprio Last Updated: February 8, 2023

Subscribe

It greatly helps us if you subscribe to our mailing list!

* indicates required

About Jeff Ostrowski

Jeff Ostrowski holds his B.M. in Music Theory from the University of Kansas (2004). He resides with his wife and children in Michigan. —(Read full biography).

Primary Sidebar

Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    New Bulletin Article • “14 September 2025”
    My pastor requested that I write short articles each week for our parish bulletin. Those responsible for preparing similar write-ups may find a bit of inspiration in these brief columns. The latest article (dated 14 September 2025) discusses OFFERTORY ANTIPHONS and contains a wonderful quote by Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF Download • Draft Copy (Pamphlet)
    A few days ago, I posted a draft copy of this 12-page pamphlet with citations about the laity’s “full, conscious, and active participation.” Its basic point or message is that choir directors should never feel embarrassed to teach real choral music because Vatican II explicitly ordered them to do that! We’ve received tons of mail regarding that pamphlet, with many excellent suggestions for improvement. Please feel free to chime in!
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    “Entrance Chant” • 23rd (Ordinary Time)
    This coming Sunday, 7 September 2025, is the 23rd Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year C). You can download the “Entrance Chant,” conveniently located at the feasts website. I also recorded a rehearsal video for it (freely available at the same website). The Communion Chant includes gorgeous verses in FAUXBOURDON. I attempted to create a rehearsal video for it, and it’s been posted at the feasts website, called by some: “church music’s best kept secret.”
    —Jeff Ostrowski

Quick Thoughts

    Karl Keating • “Canonization Questions”
    We were sent an internet statement (screenshot) that’s garnered significant attention, in which KARL KEATING (founder of Catholic Answers) speaks about whether canonizations are infallible. Mr. Keating seems unaware that canonizations are—in the final analysis—a theological opinion. They are not infallible, as explained in this 2014 article by a priest (with a doctorate in theology) who worked for multiple popes. Mr. Keating says: “I’m unaware of such claims arising from any quarter until several recent popes disliked by these Traditionalists were canonized, including John XXIII, Paul VI, and John Paul II. Usually Paul VI receives the most opprobrium.” Mr. Keating is incorrect; e.g. Father John Vianney, several centuries ago, taught clearly that canonizations are not infallible. Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen would be another example, although clearly much more recent than Saint John Vianney.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    Vatican II Changed Wedding Propers?
    It’s often claimed that the wedding propers were changed after Vatican II. As a matter of fact, that is a false claim. The EDITIO VATICANA propers (Introit: Deus Israel) remained the same after Vatican II. However, a new set of propers (Introit: Ecce Deus) was provided for optional use. The same holds true for the feast of Pope Saint Gregory the Great on 3 September: the 1943 propers (Introit: Si díligis me) were provided for optional use, but the traditional PROPRIA MISSAE (Introit: Sacerdótes Dei) were retained; they weren’t gotten rid of. The Ordo Cantus Missae (1970) makes this crystal clear, as does the Missal itself. There was an effort made in the post-conciliar years to eliminate so-called “Neo-Gregorian” chants, but (contrary to popular belief) most were retained: cf. the feast of Christ the King, the feast of the Immaculate Conception, and so forth.
    —Corpus Christi Watershed
    Solemn “Salve Regina” (Chant)
    How many “S” words can you think of using alliteration? How about Schwann Solemn Salve Score? You can download the SOLEMN SALVE REGINA in Gregorian Chant. The notation follows the official rhythm (EDITIO VATICANA). Canon Jules Van Nuffel, choirmaster of the Cathedral of Saint Rumbold, composed this accompaniment for it (although some feel it isn’t his best work).
    —Corpus Christi Watershed

Random Quote

The representative Protestant collection, entitled “Hymns, Ancient and Modern”—in substance a compromise between the various sections of conflicting religious thought in the Establishment—is a typical instance. That collection is indebted to Catholic writers for a large fractional part of its contents. If the hymns be estimated which are taken from Catholic sources, directly or imitatively, the greater and more valuable part of its contents owes its origin to the Church.

— Orby Shipley (1884)

Recent Posts

  • Do You Recognize This Hymn? Do You Like It?
  • Charlie Kirk’s Fascination with Traditional Catholic Liturgy
  • “Novus Ordo Parish … With Polyphony?” • Is that possible? How specifically does that work?
  • “The Injustice of Traditionis Custodes” • (Private Meetings at the Vatican)
  • New Bulletin Article • “14 September 2025”

Subscribe

Subscribe

* indicates required

Copyright © 2025 Corpus Christi Watershed · Isaac Jogues on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in

Corpus Christi Watershed is a 501(c)3 public charity dedicated to exploring and embodying as our calling the relationship of religion, culture, and the arts. This non-profit organization employs the creative media in service of theology, the Church, and Christian culture for the enrichment and enjoyment of the public.