How to End Traditiones Custodes Restrictions

The Extraordinary Form of the Mass, with its timeless beauty and reverence, stands as a cherished expression of the Church’s liturgical heritage. As Pope Benedict XVI emphasized in Summorum Pontificum, there is only one Mass with two expressions—the Ordinary and Extraordinary Forms—united in their essence as the same sacred rite. Pope Paul VI, reflecting on Vatican II, reaffirmed that the Mass remains unchanged in its core, even as the Church, guided by her authority as noted in Sacramentum Ordinis, retains the power to adapt, update, or even remove rites.

The liturgy has evolved throughout the Church’s history, reflecting her living tradition (Joseph Jungmann notes in The Mass of the Roman Rite, “The Roman Mass… has undergone a long process of development” -Vol. 1, p. 135). True love for the Church calls for obedience and acceptance of this reality, as the liturgy belongs to the Church under the pope’s stewardship. Regrettably, a small but vocal faction within the traditionalist movement has promoted schism, heresy, conspiracies, racism, antisemitism, and defiance against the pope and bishops, acting with a sense of entitlement. This prompted Pope Francis to issue restrictions in Traditionis Custodes, affecting traditionalists broadly. Yet, with a change of heart and renewed fidelity, these restrictions could be eased, fostering unity in the Church’s worship.

For Traditionis Custodes to be relaxed by a future Pope or Pope Leo XIV, those "traditionalist" Catholics pushing ideologies via the Extraordinary Form, as Pope Francis mentioned, would need to demonstrate significant changes in their approach and behavior.

Below is a list outlining the necessary conditions that can remedy the situation regarding the Extraordinary Form restrictions, in our opinion:

• Cease Promoting Ideologies: Traditionalists must stop pushing rigid ideological stances that create division, focusing instead on unity within the Church’s framework. They must stop seeing the Church, her teachings and leaders as "conservative/right" and "liberal/progressive."
  
• Priorities: They should focus on the great mandate of evangelizing and spreading the faith, not using every opportunity and means to attack the Church, her teachings and leaders. No one will be attracted to the Church when her own members have a toxic relationship with her.
  
• Abandon Fictitious Terms: Discontinue using terms like “TLM,” “NO,” “Traditional Latin Mass,” or “Novus Ordo,” which are not recognized by the Church and are borderline heretical. The Church acknowledges only one Mass with two expressions: the Ordinary Form and the Extraordinary Form (summorum pontificum).
  
• Submission to Rome and the Pope: Fully submit to the authority of Rome and the Pope, respecting his decisions and teachings without dissent or selective obedience.
  
• Embrace Vatican II: Study and accept the teachings and intentions of Vatican II, rejecting false narratives or misinterpretations that distort its purpose.
  
• Respect the First See: Refrain from judging the Pope or the Holy See, acknowledging that Church teaching prohibits anyone from judging the First See.
  
• Avoid Acting as Self-appointed Custodians of the Faith: Stop attempting to act as self-appointed guardians of the Church’s tradition, as this role is not granted to individuals by Church teaching. Only the pope is the protector of the Sacred Deposit alongside with the bishops.
  
• Recognize Tradition as Living: Accept that Catholic tradition is a living organism, not confined to a specific historical period, and cease promoting one era as the sole authentic form of Catholicism. The Catholic religion them becomes about one's palate or taste instead of the Truth that is objective and timeless. It becomes a religion of the individual worshiping the individual's personal tastes.
  
• Avoid Schismatic Tendencies: Refrain from adopting attitudes or actions reminiscent of Martin Luther, ensuring they do not place themselves above the Church’s hierarchy. No one can judge the first see.
  
• Reject Conspiracy Theories: Set aside social media-driven conspiracy theories and falsehoods that undermine the Church’s authority and sow division. Pundits who use social media to present their false narrative as "authentic Catholicism" do so for a profit. They make money off of the naive who believe their lies and do not vet their false claims.
  
• Fidelity to Church Authority: Demonstrate unwavering faithfulness to the Magisterium, Sacred Scripture, all ecumenical councils, canon law, and the Church’s hierarchical structure. Each Catholic is not a pope or magisterium.
  
• Look Forward, Not Backward: Focus on moving forward in faith, honoring the past without imposing it as a rigid template for the Church’s future.

By adhering to these conditions, traditionalists who engage in ideologies would show a commitment to unity, obedience, and fidelity to the Church’s living tradition, potentially creating conditions for a relaxation of Traditionis Custodes under a future pontiff like Pope Leo XIV.

The goal of Pope Francis via Traditiones Custodes is to protect the Extraordinary Form. To make sure the One Mass that is of all ages is free from ideology and corruption. That this Extraordinary Form exists to worship the One God, unite people in prayer, and serve to amplify faith. It is not meant to be used to belittle other Catholics who do not attend this form or to use it as leverage with false pretense that one is a "real Catholic" while others are not or are "modernists."

The Roman Rite or Latin Rite has changed over time. There have been several missals. The Missal of 1570 is not the same at the Missal of the 5th century or 1962. It has developed with some parts removed or added over time.

The question those traditionalists engaging in ideologies must ask themselves is: Want free access to the extraordinary form of the Mass? It is easy: submit to Rome and set ideologies aside. Leave behind Protestant lite. Assimilate ALL of Catholicism, her teachings, disciplines, and councils.