Cardinal Cupich: One Rite

Cardinal Blase Cupich, the Archbishop of Chicago, published a column in mid-January 2026 on ChicagoCatholic.com (Liturgy: Tradition, reform, unity - Cardinal Blase J. Cupich - Chicago Catholic - Chicago Catholic), reflecting on remarks by Cardinal Arthur Roche and emphasizing the need for liturgical unity in the Roman Rite. In the piece, he argues that the liturgy is inherently living and adaptive, calling for ongoing reform in response to cultural changes over time. He praises this dynamism as essential to the Church's mission and unity, drawing on historical precedents like Pope Pius V's efforts to standardize liturgical practice. Cupich explicitly states that "there must be only one rite" in the Roman (Latin) Church to preserve ecclesial unity, aligning this with Pope Francis's directives in Traditionis Custodes and the broader post-Vatican II liturgical vision.

 The Positive Aspects: Tradition as Living and the Roman Rite as One Rite

One of the strongest elements in Cupich's column is his affirmation that tradition is not static but living. He highlights how the liturgy evolves with the passage of time and shifts in culture, ensuring it remains relevant and expressive of the Church's faith in every era. This resonates deeply with Catholic teaching on living tradition, as articulated in documents like Dei Verbum from Vatican II, which describes tradition as a dynamic transmission of revelation through the Church's life. Cupich's emphasis here underscores that authentic tradition involves organic development, not rigid preservation of every historical accretion. He portrays reform not as rupture but as purification and renewal, allowing the liturgy to better reflect the Church's self-understanding as a pilgrim people gathered around the Eucharist.

Equally compelling is his insistence that the Roman Rite is fundamentally one rite. This echoes Pope Benedict XVI's earlier framework in Summorum Pontificum (2007), where he described the pre- and post-Vatican II forms of the Mass as the "Extraordinary" and "Ordinary" Forms of the same Roman Rite. Cupich builds on this by stressing unity: despite variations in expression, the Roman Rite remains a singular liturgical tradition rooted in the same theological core—the paschal mystery of Christ. By affirming "one rite," he promotes a vision of harmony within diversity of expression, where the Church speaks with a unified voice in worship. This can foster a sense of belonging for Catholics across different preferences, reminding us that the liturgy unites rather than divides when oriented toward the same Christ.

These points are valuable contributions to ongoing discussions about liturgy. They remind readers that the Church's worship has always adapted—think of the gradual incorporation of vernacular elements, musical developments, or architectural changes over centuries—while preserving essentials like the Eucharistic prayer, sacraments, and scriptural foundations.

 The Negative Aspects: Targeting the Extraordinary Form Without Balanced Praise

However, the column's tone and focus reveal significant shortcomings. While Cupich celebrates ongoing reform and the need for one rite, he directs his critique primarily at the Extraordinary Form (the 1962 Missal, or Traditional Latin Mass). He echoes Cardinal Roche's references to Pius V's standardization, implying that allowing two forms undermines unity and that the post-Vatican II reform better fulfills the Church's call to renewal. The piece frames acceptance of the reformed liturgy as essential for preserving Church unity, with little positive acknowledgment of the Extraordinary Form's own gifts.

This selective emphasis is problematic. If both the Ordinary Form and Extraordinary Form are legitimately two expressions of the one Roman Rite—as Benedict XVI taught and as Cupich implicitly nods to—why not praise both? The Extraordinary Form offers profound treasures: its emphasis on reverence, silence, Gregorian chant, ad orientem orientation, and the sense of transcendence that draws many to deeper prayer. It has nourished saints, fostered vocations, and provided a rich spiritual patrimony for countless Catholics. Dismissing or sidelining it in favor of the reformed rite risks portraying one form as deficient or outdated, rather than complementary.

A more balanced approach would celebrate how both forms enrich the Church. The Ordinary Form highlights active participation and communal dimensions, aligning with Vatican II's call in Sacrosanctum Concilium for "full, conscious, and active participation." The Extraordinary Form excels in contemplative depth and historical continuity. Praising both would better reflect the "mutual enrichment" Benedict XVI envisioned, where each form learns from the other—perhaps incorporating more silence and chant into the Ordinary Form, or more vernacular accessibility into celebrations of the Extraordinary Form. Instead, the column's focus on reform as necessary and the need for "only one rite" (seemingly prioritizing the Ordinary Form) can feel like a subtle targeting of the Extraordinary Form, contributing to perceptions of marginalization among its adherents.

 Addressing Misinterpretations on X Regarding Eastern Rites

Some posts on X (formerly Twitter) have claimed that Cupich's call for "one rite" attacks the Eastern Catholic Rites, suggesting he seeks to impose uniformity across the entire Catholic Church and erase legitimate diversity in rites like the Byzantine, Alexandrian, or Syriac traditions. This is a misreading of the column. Cupich's context is explicitly the Roman (Latin) Rite, not the sui iuris Eastern Churches. He references Pius V's efforts to standardize within the Western tradition and ties his argument to preserving unity in the Roman Rite amid discussions of post-Vatican II reforms and Traditionis Custodes. The Catholic Church comprises 24 sui iuris Churches with distinct rites, and nothing in Cupich's piece suggests suppressing Eastern liturgies. Claims of an attack on Eastern Rites appear to stem from broader frustrations with liturgical restrictions but do not align with the text's clear scope.

 Conclusion: Toward Greater Unity Through Mutual Respect

Cardinal Cupich's column rightly celebrates tradition as living and the Roman Rite as one, offering a timely reminder of the Church's adaptive vitality and call to unity. Yet its emphasis on reform while critiquing the Extraordinary Form without equivalent praise misses an opportunity for genuine dialogue. If both forms are truly one rite, the Church would benefit from leaders who highlight the strengths of each, fostering mutual enrichment rather than competition. This approach would heal divisions, honor the faithful attached to the Extraordinary Form, and better reflect the richness of Catholic worship.

In an era of polarization, affirming the living nature of tradition while embracing both forms could model the unity Cupich seeks—one rooted in love for the same Eucharist, the same Lord.

 Sources

- Liturgy: Tradition, reform, unity - Cardinal Blase J. Cupich - Chicago Catholic - Chicago Catholic

- Gloria TV summary and excerpts from Cardinal Cupich's January 21, 2026, column on ChicagoCatholic.com (via Free Republic post dated January 26, 2026).

- Michael Haynes (@MLJHaynes) X post (ID 2015785066975166798, January 26, 2026) quoting Cupich: "there must be only one rite as a means of preserving the unity of the church."

- Related X discussions (e.g., @ZealousLawrence clarifying context to the Roman Rite, not Eastern Rites).

- Pope Benedict XVI, Summorum Pontificum (2007) and accompanying letter, on the two forms of one Roman Rite.

- Vatican II, Sacrosanctum Concilium (1963), on liturgical reform and noble simplicity.

- Pope Francis, Traditionis Custodes (2021), on the unique expression of the Roman Rite's lex orandi.

- Archdiocese of Chicago website (chicagocatholic.com) for Cupich's published writings (contextual reference).