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Young Catholics must be united

SIR – The growing divide among young Catholics in England and Wales between those who align themselves with traditionalists and those who regard themselves as liberals appears to be ever increasing. As a Catholic in my mid-twenties I find it disconcerting that many choose to align themselves with either one of these “camps”, especially as in our ever-more secularised society Catholics need to be united. It’s a particular shame to hear many traditional and right-wing Catholics constantly make reference to how wonderful things were before the Second Vatican Council and how the liturgy was so much better then. As someone who has an appreciation for reverent liturgy, I find it encouraging that many others respect and understand the importance of dignified liturgy. But our faith needs to be inclusive and not exclusive. Sadly, for many people the traditional Latin Mass does not encourage them in their faith – and I say that as someone who has a real appreciation for it. I find it strange that some young Catholics feel they can speak as a voice of authority on an era they were not alive in. It’s a shame to hear young Catholics who were born after the Second Vatican Council complain that life in the Church before the Council was better. I remember having this discussion with a priest once who said that, for him, life was certainly not better pre-Council. He had memories of attending Mass in Latin as a young boy and they were not pleasant ones. He recalled priests who had no idea how to celebrate the Latin Mass appropriately, and lay people who were disengaged and unaware of what was going on. Young Catholics need to be united, not divided, and if the liturgy continues to cause divisions then how are we showing love and respect to Our Lord? Donato Tallo Eastbourne, East Sussex