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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.”

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Views from the Choir Loft

Cardinal Tobin says excluding EF Catholics is “good” so long as they’re not “banished” completely

Jeff Ostrowski · October 11, 2023

IRST I WILL comment on the video. Then I’ll share two personal stories of exclusion. With the archbishop of Newark, NJ (JOSEPH CARDINAL TOBIN), Diane Montagna had the following exchange, which was caught on video. Cardinal Tobin had said: “I think the real beauty of our Catholic Church is clear, when the doors are open and welcoming.” In response, Ms. Montagna asked how such a statement is consonant with recent Vatican attempts to kick Catholics out of their parishes, forcing them to celebrate the Holy Mass in other places such as gymnasiums.

Explicit & Specific • Diane Montagna asked specifically about parishes that were flourishing. Inexplicably, CARDINAL TOBIN chose to speak about parishes closed because they weren’t flourishing.

Here’s the direct URL link.

“So Long As They Aren’t Banished Completely” • Watch the video and judge for yourself. From what I can understand—and I’ve watched it twice—CARDINAL TOBIN says excluding EF Catholics is “good” (his word) as long as they’re not completely banished from the Catholic Church.

It’s Good For You! • Cardinal Tobin seems to be saying that moving Holy Mass from a flourishing parish Church into a gymnasium is actually a “good” thing, even though Catholics exercising what Pope Saint John Paul II called “legitimate aspirations” don’t realize it yet. (That’s what Cardinal Tobin said; watch the video.) It’s very difficult for me to understand how encouraging the People of God to treat certain Catholics as lepers is somehow equivalent to “welcoming.” Perhaps the best treatment of this situation so far was the heartfelt article published by Monsignor Charles Pope.

*  PDF Download • “From the Peripheries” (Mons. Charles Pope)
—Excerpt: “As a pastor of souls, I wince at this sort of language…”

“Ego Sum Ostium” • For the record, I believe CARDINAL TOBIN is incorrect to say that “the real beauty of our Catholic Church is … when the doors are open and welcoming.” The real beauty of our Catholic Church, at least according to what I was taught, is the REAL PRESENCE of Jesus Christ on our Altars. Jesus Christ, being the Second Person of the Blessed Trinity, is infinitely more valuable than an open door. Indeed, our Savior said in John 10:9: “I am the door; a man will find salvation if he makes his way in through Me.”

Jeff Shares Personal
Examples of Exclusion

(1) Consider a Benedictine monk I’ve known for twenty years. A few months ago, he brought up something about the “love” and “tenderness” shown by the Vatican to those who feel excluded. Responding to this, I asked him about recent documents from Rome attempting to strangle communities attached to the Traditional Latin Mass. Several times I asked: “What are we to make of this? Who can explain this?” His response was to cut off all communication with me. Just like that. He didn’t even have the courtesy to say: “By the way, it’s been nice knowing you for the last 20 years.” I dared to ask a question—and that’s my punishment.

(2) Consider a priest in Rome, whom I’ve known for more than a decade. I’ve gone out of my way to help him, even sending books he requested (which cost hundreds of dollars to ship to Rome). A few months after TRADITIONIS CUSTODES was issued, I called him on the telephone. I was trying to come to grips with certain items—but the minute I asked him to help me understand, he hung up the phone and has never spoken to me again.

I have already written about how ignoring someone can be one of the cruelest things you can do. Therefore, I don’t need to go into all that again.

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

Filed Under: Articles Last Updated: October 11, 2023

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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).

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Corpus Christi Watershed

President’s Corner

    New Bulletin Article • “21 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 21 September 2025) discusses some theological items—supported by certain verses in ancient Catholic hymns—and ends by explaining why certain folks become delirious with jealousy when they observe feats by Monsignor Ronald Knox.
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    Cheap! Cheap! Cheap!
    It’s always amusing to see old diocesan newspapers—in huge capital letters—advertising the Cheapest Catholic Paper in the United States. The correspondent who sent this to me added: “I can think of certain composers, published by large companies in our own day, who could truthfully brag about the most tawdry compositions in the world!” I wonder what she could have meant by such a cryptic comment…
    —Jeff Ostrowski
    PDF Download • Dom Murray Harmonies
    Along with so many others, I have deep respect for Dom Gregory Gregory Murray, who produced this clever harmonization (PDF) of “O SANCTISSIMA.” It’s always amazed me that Dom Gregory—a truly inspired composer—was so confused when it came to GREGORIAN CHANT. Throughout his life, he published contradictory statements, veering back-and-forth like a weather vane. Toward the end of his life, he declared: “I see clearly that the need for reform in liturgical music arose, not in the 18th and 19th centuries, but a thousand years earlier—in the 8th and 9th centuries, or even before that. The abuses began, not with Mozart and Haydn, but with those over-enthusiastic medieval musicians who developed the elaborate and flamboyant Gregorian Chant.”
    —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

“Prohibiting or suspecting the extraordinary form can only be inspired by the demon who desires our suffocation and spiritual death.”

— Robert Cardinal Sarah (23-sep-2019), chosen by Pope Francis to be the Vatican’s chief liturgist

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