Traditional Mass, Catholic education and abuse: themes of the Pope's surprising letter to French bishops

Cardinal Parolin, Vatican Secretary of State, has sent today - March 18 - a letter to the french bishops, gathered in Lourdes for their Plenary Assembly.

The text is the initiative of Pope Leo XIV who, in addition to sending his prayers for the fruits of this meeting, touches on many important aspects with remarkable clarity and courage.   

Education

The Holy Father shows his interest in several topics to be addressed by the prelates during these days. First of all, he highlights education, “a topic that especially resonated with Pope Francis because of its crucial importance both for the future of the world and for the proclamation of the Gospel.”. 

In a context of “growing hostility towards Catholic institutions and questioning of their distinctive character,” the Pontiff “encourages a firm defense of the Christian dimension of Catholic education, which, without reference to Jesus Christ, would lose its fundamental purpose.”.

Child abuse

In addition to continuing with the process of repairing reparations to victims that they have initiated in France and continue to develop prevention measures, the Pope explains that mercy must also reach “priests guilty of abuse” so that they also “become the object of your pastoral reflections”.

Leo XIV notes that after “years of painful crises, the time has come to look firmly to the future and offer a message of encouragement and confidence to the priests of France, who have suffered greatly.”.

Traditional Liturgy

Finally, the Holy Father asks to pay special attention to the communities linked to the Vetus Ordo, which are growing in number. Specifically, Parolin points out that “it is worrying that a painful wound in the celebration of the Mass, the very sacrament of unity, continues to open in the Church”. 

“To heal it, a new mutual perspective is certainly necessary, with a greater understanding of each other's sensitivities,” the letter continues. It encourages “a perspective that allows the brothers, enriched by their diversity, to welcome one another in charity and unity of faith” and concludes with the hope that “the Holy Spirit will suggest concrete solutions that will allow the generous inclusion of those sincerely adhering to the Vetus Ordo, according to the guidelines established by the Second Vatican Council in matters of Liturgy”.