Michael Davies (1936–2004) was, from the 1970s until his death, the foremost lay advocate of the Traditional Latin Mass (TLM). His books, particularly the trilogy Cranmer’s Godly Order, Pope John’s Council and Pope Paul’s New Mass, were an enormous influence on a generation of Catholics attached to the TLM and set the terms of the debate. He rejected the extreme claims made by some that the reformed Mass was invalid or that recent popes were not real popes, and when he died he was praised by Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger. Nevertheless, his support for the Traditional Mass and the traditional teachings of the Church was uncompromising.
11:00 PM
A life in defence of tradition: Michael Davies reconsidered
Leo Darroch’s new biography explores how a schoolteacher became a leading voice in debates over liturgy and doctrine
Joseph Shaw
7 min read
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