This text, released on Friday, March 6, of the second week of Lent, draws on the Gospel and the readings from the Mass of the day to address the current tensions surrounding Tradition in the Church.
In this meditation, Cardinal Zen directly addresses the question of dialogue between the Holy See and the Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX). He begins by recalling that a schism would constitute grave damage for the Church and must be avoided.
(The SSPX has no intention whatsoever of causing a schism; if it wishes to proceed with episcopal consecrations, it is without the slightest schismatic intention. Rather, it is with the sole concern of ensuring the continuity of its apostolate in service to the Church).
The cardinal further emphasizes the gravity of the problem of conscience faced by many faithful attached to Tradition. He poses a fundamental question: “How can one compel someone to follow teachings that manifestly deny the holy Tradition of the Church?”
A Call for Papal Intervention
In his reflection, Cardinal Zen refers to the ongoing discussions between the SSPX and the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith.
However, he openly questions the prospects for such a dialogue in the current circumstances: “The SSPX has been sent to engage in dialogue with the head of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, but is there any hope in this dialogue?”
The cardinal does not hesitate to express his reservations about the current leadership of the dicastery, headed by Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, often nicknamed “Tucho.”
According to him, the latter’s vision seems difficult to reconcile with the defense of Tradition.
In this context, Cardinal Zen implicitly calls on Pope Leo XIV to take charge of the matter himself, particularly regarding the episcopal consecrations envisioned by the Society to ensure the continuity of its apostolate.
The Question of the Traditional Latin Mass
The cardinal’s reflection also addresses the question of the traditional liturgy, which is at the heart of current tensions. He believes it would be wrong to abolish the Traditional Latin Mass: “And the Traditional Latin Mass? It is obviously wrong to want to eliminate it.”
These words echo the concerns of many clergy and faithful throughout the world who maintain the Traditional Latin Liturgy as a spiritual treasure of the Church and an authentic expression of the Catholic Faith.
The true unity of the Church can only be built by remaining faithful to received Tradition. This appeal by Cardinal Zen—despite his concern to preserve the Second Vatican Council by attributing its deviations to a supposed “spirit of the Council,” and despite his desire for a “reform of the reform” of the liturgy that would attempt to save the Novus Ordo—nevertheless resonates with a deep convictions of the SSPX.
Fidelity to Tradition is not a rejection of the Church, but rather a service rendered to its unity and continuity.
The episcopal consecrations envisioned by the Society are part of this perspective: ensuring the transmission of the priesthood and the Catholic Faith without rupture. This is in line with the work carried out by Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre.
During this Lenten season, the faithful are invited to pray for the Church, so that unity may be achieved not in blind obedience, but in truth and fidelity to Catholic Tradition.