The Pope has released the much anticipated (by many traditionalists) and feared (by some liberals) motu proprio, which allows for greater use of the Latin Tridentine mass. I am pleased, even though I am not personally invested in the controversy. Let me explain. I have no desire to attend a Tridentine mass regularly or even frequently. Perhaps I’ll visit once just to see what the fuss is about. Maybe I’ll like it and return. Then again, maybe not. However, I do want to see the Novus Ordo celebrated with dignity and reverence according to the rubrics of the missal. I think that by allowing greater use of the old mass, the celebration of the Novus Ordo will greatly improve. It’s like capitalism. People will no longer have to endure Marty Haugen, liturgical dance, hippy priests, and other craziness without options; they will have a choice and many will choose to attend the more dignified Tridentine rite at the parish down the road. This could cause pastors to introduce more dignified masses into their schedule. Or, this could backfire if pastors decide that with the old mass available and the traditionalists gone, they can introduce more craziness into the Novus Ordo mass. Let’s hope the latter isn’t the case. Either way, with the motu proprio, the overall quality of Catholic masses around the world will improve greatly. Thanks be to God.

I want to comment on one more thing: the progressive anger about the motu proprio. This is nothing but hypocrisy. Liberal Catholics love to talk about inclusivity and the big tent of Catholicism except when it includes conservative theology, dignified language, Latin, or anything else not on their agenda. Then again, perhaps elitist priests and liturgists who advocate every flaky novelty should be very afraid: the plebs now have a choice.