For some reason, some have reduced to the rank of a simple "rumor" our previous post transcribing the comment by the French Association "Paix Liturgique" on the attack by Abp. Jordy, Archbishop of Tours and assigned by the French Conference of Bishops (CEF) to deal with Traditional Catholics.
Naturally, we would not have posted such a grave matter based on a simple rumor. No, the letter on general norms on all Traditional Catholic pilgrimages in France does exist, and our translation of it is transcribed below. It was a letter based on correspondence sent by Abp. Jordy and other anti-Traditional French bishops to the Dicastery for Divine Worship, headed by Cardinal Roche, and its intent is obviously to create all kinds of embarrassment to the organizers of the Paris-Chartres Pilgrimage and all other pilgrimages in France. It is shameful and, unfortunately, it is not a "rumor".
***
Paris, Tuesday, May 6, 2025
Dear brother bishops,
In response to questions raised by the Bishop of Chartres and certain other bishops concerning the Chrétienté pilgrimage [Rorate Note: the official name of the Chartres Pilgrimage is "Notre-Dame de Chrétienté], the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, in a letter from Cardinal Roche dated April 8, forwarded to the Presidency of the French Bishops' Conference the following information, which it would like the bishops to make known:
1/ Only the diocesan bishop, as moderator, promoter and guardian of all liturgical life in the particular Church entrusted to him, has the authority to regulate liturgical celebrations in his own diocese (cf. Christus Dominus 15). It is very important for everyone to know that only the diocesan bishop has this authority. Consequently, it is his exclusive competence to authorize the use of the 1962 Missale Romanum in his diocese, following the indications of the Apostolic See.¹
An organization, lay or ecclesiastical, can certainly convene and organize a pilgrimage, but has no authority in matters of liturgy.
Similarly, FSSP priests, according to the particular Decree given to them, know that they must obtain the consent of the bishops of the various dioceses in which they are located to use the pre-reform liturgical books when celebrating the sacraments outside their homes.
2/ As the faculty to celebrate using the 1962 Missale Romanum granted by the diocesan bishop is valid only for the territory of his diocese, it is up to the bishop of each diocese through which the Chartres Pilgrimage will pass to grant the faculty to celebrate Mass using the 1962 Missale Romanum within the territory of his diocese to priests ordained before July 16, 2021, the date of publication of the Motu Proprio Traditionis Custodes; for those ordained after this date, the bishop must request a license from the Apostolic See.²
3/ Contrary to what has been requested by the Pilgrimage organization in the “Practical information for priests, religious, seminarians and nuns taking part in the pilgrimage” on page 5, during the pilgrimage all priests have to celebrate the sacrament of Penance according to the Ritual reformed by the Council.³
4/ All priests must be offered the real possibility of celebrating Mass according to the Roman Missal renewed by decree of the Sacred Ecumenical Council Vatican II.
We invite you to further this information in any way you see fit.
Mgr Lebrun and I remain at your disposal for any further information.
Vincent Jordy
Archbishop of Tours
Dominique Lebrun
Archbishop of Rouen
____
Notes :
1. Francis, Apostolic Letter Traditionis Custodes on the use of liturgical books predating the reform of the Second Vatican Council, n. 2.
2. Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments - Responsa ad dubia on certain provisions of the Apostolic Letter in the form of Motu Proprio Traditionis Custodes of the Supreme Pontiff Francis, article 5.
3. Ibid, articles 1 and 8.
***
We thank Tribune Chrétienne for providing the original French transcript of this important document. Of course, since the Bishop of Chartres is in charge of his Cathedral, he will allow the Final Mass there in the Traditional form, but that does not minimize the grave attack on the fully traditional nature of the pilgrimage, which has made its success throughout the decades.
