Traditionalist communities cautiously optimistic after FSSP news

Traditional Latin Mass attendees expressed cautious optimism on Monday after a traditionalist community released a communique detailing their continued permission to celebrate Mass with the pre-Vatican II 1962 missal.

In the Feb. 21 publication, the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter (FSSP) wrote that Pope Francis had met with two members of the society of apostolic life about a week before he promulgated the decree.

“In the course of the audience, the pope made it clear that institutes such as the Fraternity of St. Peter are not affected by the general provisions of the motu proprio Traditionis custodes, since the use of the ancient liturgical books was at the origin of their existence and is provided for in their constitutions,” it said.

This would apply also to other traditional religious institutes, including the Institute of Christ the King, Sovereign Priest (ICKSP).

Traditionis custodes is a motu proprio that was released in July 2021. It enacted restrictions on the celebration of the traditional Latin Mass.

The FSSP has more than 50 personal parishes in North America, and is present in 39 dioceses across the United States. The fraternity also has an additional 85 apostolates in France and Belgium, and 79 apostolates in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.

The ICKSP has 121 priests in its membership throughout the world.

"The news from Rome today is very encouraging. The FSSP, ICKSP and the other Ecclesia Dei priestly institutes simply want to bring the Gospel to their flocks using the classical liturgy that helps draw devotees closer to God and all whilst remaining in true fidelity to the Roman Pontiff,” Kevin Jones, secretary of the Latin Mass Society of England and Wales.