Cardinal Juan Sandoval Iñiguez, archbishop emeritus of Guadalajara, Mexico, has written an impassioned letter to Pope Francis urging him not to ban the Traditional Latin Mass amid rumors that the Vatican is planning to further restrict its use. In his letter dated July 6, Cardinal Sandoval reminded the Pope of the importance of preserving the richness and cultural significance of the ancient liturgy, which he believes has been celebrated in various forms throughout history.
The cardinal argues that the Lord’s Supper, as commemorated in the Latin Mass of St. Pius V, has always preserved the essentials of Christ’s sacrifice and the Eucharist, regardless of language or rite. He notes that many individuals and groups have expressed a desire to preserve the Latin Mass due to its rich liturgy and cultural significance.
Cardinal Sandoval also highlights the importance of preserving the Latin language, which he believes is essential to Western culture alongside Greek. He implores Pope Francis not to allow the ban on the Latin Mass to happen, emphasizing his role as guardian of the Church’s historical, cultural, and liturgical richness.
The cardinal has a long history of service in the Catholic Church, having served as archbishop of Guadalajara from 1994 to 2011. He was also a key participant in the papal conclaves that elected both Pope Benedict XVI and Pope Francis. In October last year, he made headlines by sending a set of questions to Pope Francis on matters of doctrine and discipline in the Catholic Church.
Cardinal Sandoval’s letter is significant not only because it highlights his personal opposition to any ban on the Latin Mass but also because it underscores the importance of preserving cultural and liturgical heritage. His words echo the sentiments expressed by several public figures earlier this month, who called upon the Holy See to preserve what they described as the “magnificent” cultural artifact of the Latin Mass. As the debate surrounding the future of the Latin Mass continues, Cardinal Sandoval’s letter serves as a powerful reminder of the value and significance of preserving our cultural and liturgical heritage.
Source: Catholic News Agency
