Under Benedict XVI, the outlook for liturgical conservatives in the Church looked more promising than ever. Two of Benedict’s most significant documents – Summorum Pontificum and Sacramentum Caritatis – sought to renew the liturgical life of the Church in different ways. Reverence in the liturgy, it seemed, was making a comeback, and the “reform of the reform” – the curbing of post-Vatican II excesses – appeared to be advancing.
But for the last four years Pope Francis has not made liturgy a priority and the little he has said has not been terribly reassuring for “reform of the reform” supporters. He recently asked young people who are devoted to the Latin Mass: “Why so much rigidity?” This prompted outrage and upset among some priests and laypeople.
