Majority of Catholics don’t know about the cruel attempt to suppress the Traditional Latin Mass. Wherein Fr. Z rants.

We need to work harder, friends.

Some time ago, Pew Research Center did a poll and found that “Two-thirds of U.S. Catholics unaware of pope’s new restrictions on traditional Latin Mass”. HERE

This is interesting, because it shows how Catholic news is not getting to Joe Bagofdoughnuts.

Despite the controversy, most U.S. Catholics are unaware of Pope Francis’ recent actions, with roughly two-thirds saying they have heard “nothing at all” about the new restrictions, according to a Pew Research Center survey of adults conducted Sept. 20-26, 2021. But there are pockets of opposition to the new rules, with weekly Mass-goers and Catholic Republicans expressing higher levels of disapproval than those who do not go to Mass regularly and Catholic Democrats. Nevertheless, Francis remains a very popular figure among American Catholics, with about eight-in-ten continuing to express a favorable view of the pope, little changed since March.

Catholic Democrats.  The Democrat party is the Party of Death.   A Catholic who willingly embraces the values of that party, with its clear and aggressive pro-abortion platform, is unlikely to be attracted to the TLM.

As a matter of fact, the content of the TLM is likely to repel such a person if she is not converted by it.

Otherwise, there are probably swaths of Catholic who still vote or at least self-identify as Democrats because a) their parents were dems and/or b) they are so uninformed that they don’t know how far the party has moved to the left.

How would they be aware of what’s going on with the TLM?  If they are going to church at all, their parishes are probably leftist too.

All the survey respondents who indicated they have heard at least a little about the new limitations received a follow-up question asking whether they approve or disapprove of the pope’s decision. Their opinions are divided about evenly between those who approve (9% of all Catholics) and those who disapprove (12% of all Catholics) of Francis’ actions. An additional 14% of U.S. Catholics say they have heard at least a little about the change, but either have no opinion on it or declined to give their opinion.

The poll also broke down political alignment and views of Francis.  You might be able to guess at the results.

A priest friend familiar with the ways of statistics wrote to me:

The more interesting statistic from another poll is that only 20% of Catholics 40 years old and younger attend Mass regularly (meaning “at least 1 time monthly). I suspect a greater percentage of them attend TLM than the Catholic population in general. Also, assuming the veracity of this statistic, 80% of the Catholic parishes should be shuttered…and presto chango, there’s no priest shortage whatsoever and the seminaries are producing sufficient numbers of ordinandi for those numbers.

We have to factor in the demographic sink hole opening up under the Church.  Pretty soon the percentage of active, practicing Catholics who are inclined toward traditional worship is going to grow even faster.   This is one reason why, I believe, there are attempts to crush Catholics who desire traditional sacred liturgy.

Here’s my main point.

I tried to spark some energy among people who do NOT know about the antics of Francis and others regarding traditional Catholic sacred worship.  That’s why when I posted the proposition about being a true Custos Traditionis – pray the Memorare and offer morifications for the overturning of Traditionis custodes or at least its benign interpretation, HERE.

However, to get the ball rolling with more people, I also offered a t-shirt and buttons that say Custos Traditionis and, beneath,

“Ask me.”

Either in Latin or, more practically, in English.  Memorare in various languages on the back.

“Ask me.”

This is intended to inform more people about what has been done to Catholics – all Catholics – through the cruel and unusal move of that Motu Proprio.

Do NOT be complacent.  Do NOT accept this situation as “normal”.  There is nothing “normal” about the attempt to suppress the the Traditional Roman Rite in the Roman Catholic Church.  It is such a self-contradiction as to be diabolical.

“Ask me.”

Your weapons in this battle – which is by no means over – are prayer, penances, and information.

Get informed.  Be ready.

About Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

Fr. Z is the guy who runs this blog. o{]:¬)
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10 Comments

  1. Pingback: Majority of Catholics don’t know about the cruel attempt to suppress the Traditional Latin Mass. Wherein Fr. Z rants. | Fr. Z’s Blog – The Old Roman

  2. redneckpride4ever says:

    I refer to my comment on post you made about the Santa Fe Diocese/SSPX.

    How many Catholics actually know what happens in the Church? Or is it simply a Sunday social club?

    And to quote myself: just my 2 cents.

  3. Danteewoo says:

    In passing you mention priest shortage? But the ratio of priests to PRACTICING Catholics is almost certainly higher than it was before the Council. Small consolation.

  4. Danteewoo says:

    In passing you mention priest shortage? But the ratio of priests to PRACTICING Catholics is almost certainly higher than it was before the Council. Small consolation.

  5. summorumpontificum777 says:

    I’m trying to wrap my head around how 2/3rds of self-identified Catholics could have *not* heard about Traditionis Custodes or at least its essential thrust. I’m certainly willing to believe that the statistic is true, though, so it does seem to be prime facie evidence that a majority of Catholics must:
    (1) Pay zero attention to anything that could be classified as “Catholic internet “(blogs, social media, online editions of Catholic newspapers & magazines, etc.).
    (2) Pay zero attention to EWTN or Catholic radio
    (3) Pay zero attention to diocese news releases and the local bishop’s letters to the faithful
    (4) Not read upper-tier secular newspapers like the Wall Street Journal and the New York Times, both of which covered the TLM-crackdown

    Let’s face it. A majority of self-identified Catholics are just not very interested in the subject of Catholicism.

  6. crownvic says:

    “80% of churches should be closed…”. Very true. However those in charge seem to think that combining parishes into “families” or “groups” is the solution. I’m looking at you Archdiocese of Cincinnati.. combining is a fools errand. Many churches need extensive repair and refit due to their age. Why invest 500k or 1 mil to fix up a church that has 75 people showing up on the one mass on Sunday? Has anyone priced a new boiler for a church ? 75k-100k for that. Brickwork needs touch up? Another 100k-350k depending on condition.. which is most likely poor because maintenance hasn’t been done in 30 years. How about a security / camera system? Another 75k. Oh, you have a water leak? How about 250k for a new roof and repair the water damage?

    I’m not pulling numbers out of thin air here. Those are actual numbers of a church in an urban area that I know very well. (Not in Cincinnati).

    So let’s get real honest here, as the sinkhole opens, there’s simply not enough donations to care for building, salaries, programs etc that are required to support a “vibrant” church. These churches will close due to lack of money and attendance. The buildings should be sold now and the proceeds put into restoring churches that have a chance at making it. But that requires decisiveness and courage.

    The picture of the Latin Mass being offered in a church with rubble around it comes to mind. It won’t be a war that destroys many churches it will be a term called “deferred maintenance”.

  7. Benedict Joseph says:

    The statistic is undoubtedly true. I’m surprised that the number who are aware of “Traditionis custodes” is as high as it is. We have to acknowledge the even more troubling reality that those Catholics who have been blessed to receive an accurate and authentic catechesis are passing away. They inhabit the age group of 70 and above. Much of what they were originally taught was soon contextualized into the post-conciliar dispensation and cast aside. What has transpired since the mid-sixties is a pedagogical grotesque. But for the small cult which digests Fishwrap no one absorbs the current magisterium. Those cognitively and heartfelt faithful to the perennial Magisterium recoil from what is presently dished out but, ironically, they are those most aware of what is on the table. We are well into the process of dismantlement. The faith when not handed on accurately — or not at all — is lost. Who will step up and bring a halt to the purposeful sacrilegious deconstruction we are forced to witness?

  8. Pingback: FRIDAY EDITION – Big Pulpit

  9. jflare29 says:

    Sadly, …I don’t find this terribly surprising. If anything, I’d be surprised if a poll showed how most US Catholics DID know of it. I think of the many people I’ve encountered over the years, Catholic and not. Technically, many self-ID as Catholics. Realistically, scratch the surface, …most won’t know Traditionis Custodes from Humanae Vitae; many have heard of neither.
    Most Catholics have little knowledge of Vatican II, itself, never mind what followed. They deem “trads” to be old-fashioned weirdos, if not just plain nuts. Most will not have cause to consider TC much beyond a perceived necessary evil.
    We have much need for prayer.

  10. Semper Gumby says:

    “We need to work harder, friends.”

    Indeed, and smarter too.

    summorumpontificum777: “A majority of self-identified Catholics are just not very interested in the subject of Catholicism.”

    The baptism rate continues to decline. Benedict XVI since, I think, the 1980s has been referring to a smaller yet more faithful Church and a “Creative Minority.” Still, a creative minority can and should be resilient and visible in the public square, from Eucharistic processions to prayer vigils outside abortuaries to protecting statues and churches to producing great art and music to explaining what, exactly, is a “Rogation Day” to the curious.

    Benedict Joseph: “We are well into the process of dismantlement. The faith when not handed on accurately – or not at all – is lost.”

    That recalls a speech Clarence Thomas gave for dedication of a chapel at Hillsdale College in 2019.

    “The construction of a college chapel is a public declaration that faith and reason are mutually reinforcing. And in 2019, the construction of a chapel is a bold act of leadership at a crucial time in our nation’s history…Each generation is responsible both to itself and to succeeding generations for preserving and promoting the blessings of liberty. Faith in God, more than anything else, fuels the strength of character and self-discipline needed to discharge ably that responsibility.”

    The Death Party and the Pachamama Vatican encourage irresponsibility, victimhood and forgetfulness. It’s a tough battle for hearts, minds and souls these days, but we will triumph.

    They have Horan of Babylon, Jeffrey Sachs, Max Beans, Bus Nuns and grotesque art and idols. The People of Pachamama are led by pop celebrities with cult-like followings. They have fads and emotional outbursts, not faith or heritage. The People of God have the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the Martyrs, the Saints, the nuns of the French Revolution, Fr. Kolbe and Fr. Capodanno, faithful clergy and laity in China and Africa, and Truth and Beauty.

    We’ve already won. True, it certainly doesn’t appear that way with wolves roaming the land sticking their snouts into churches, courtrooms, libraries, classrooms, restrooms and our bodies. But, one fine day when least expected the Big Game Warden in the Sky will swoop in on a helicopter and tell them wolves “Git!” Until then, we’re called to persevere.

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