POPE FRANCIS’ CARDINAL THINKS THAT TRADITIONIS CUSTODES WAS WRONG HEADED AND SHOULD BE CHANGED TO ALLOW GREATER FREEDOM FOR THE TLM FOR TRUE PEACE AND JUSTICE IN THE CHURCH…

 

This is a hopeful interview of Cardinal Francois Xavier Bustillo, OFM, Conv. That means he belongs to the same worldwide Franciscan Order as does my former bishop, now the Metropolitan Archbishop of Atlanta, Gregory Hartmayer, OFM. Conv. 

That means, too, that he is of the same religious order as Bishop Michael Martin, OFM, Conv. of the Diocese of Charlotte in my province. 

Under SP, Archbishop Hartmayer was very accommodating of those who wanted the TLM and allowed it for years to be at the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist in Savannah each Sunday at 1 pm. I was one of the priests on a rotating schedule to celebrate it there. 

He allowed priests to celebrate the TLM in parishes where there were those who wanted it. And he allowed the other sacraments in the ancient form as well as Requiem and Nuptial Masses.

Cardinal Bustillo was named a Cardinal by Pope Francis in 2023. He would be an excellent advisor to Pope Leo XIV as he discerns what he will do, if anything, with Traditionis Custodes.

He is bishop of a diocese in Corsica which is owned by France but off of Livorno, Italy where my mother is from. Her father, my grandfather, ancestry is Corsica. Just a disclaimer. 

This interview was published on June 30, 2025 in the French publication Tribune Chrétienne, but before the bombshell publication of secret documents that contradict the stated purpose and reason for Traditionis Custodes:

CARDINAL FRANÇOIS-XAVIER BUSTILLO, O.F.M. CONV.

the Bishop of Ajaccio, Corsica, since 2021, 

Tribune Chretienne: Speaking of differences, the faithful attached to the Tridentine rite expect a lot from this pope. So what can we tell them?

Cardinal Bustillo: I think there's room in the Church for everyone, and I repeat, there's room for everyone for those faithful attached to the Tridentine rite. In the Catholic Church, there are many rites, so there shouldn't be any problems at that level. Therefore, the Pope, in his mission, must first LISTEN, then DISCERN, and then DECIDE. This is the usual practice of a pope. If there are delicate situations, different sensitivities, etc., he must first listen and evaluate all the arguments, and then decide. And the Pope is following this path, saying to himself: for the moment, he understands all the realities, all the pain... and when he has all the elements, he will decide.

Tribune Chretienne: Are you personally in favor of this relaxation of the motu proprio Traditionis Custodes?

Cardinal Bustillo: I am obviously for peace in the Church. And peace in the Church, before speaking through the rite, passes through the Spirit. The rite is a question of form; it is the expression of celebrating one's faith with God, so what is important is first to pacify minds so as not to fall into ideology. The rite in itself is not a problem. When we look at the Mozarabic, Ambrosian, Eastern rites, etc., that is not the problem. The question for us Catholics is to remain within an idealistic logic without falling into ideology.

So the Tridentine rite is not a problem in itself within the Church. I don't know how to celebrate it, but I realize that there must be no rigidity in the rites; that too is important: we must above all remain in communion.

So, I am first and foremost in favor of a relaxation of consciences, because otherwise we fall into confrontation. As Cardinal Sarah said, "It is first and foremost important that there be spiritual maturity, otherwise we fall into the logic of confrontation, we say that we have a pope against us, etc." I have never celebrated the Tridentine rite; I don't know it very well, but I know and respect many faithful who are close to it and who prefer this rite. I respect their choices. As a pastor, we must think of the good of all. So, if someone loves this rite, I am for them to continue it. I am not saying: everyone must do the same!

We must respect a holy diversity that involves accepting diversity at the liturgical level. So, above all, seek the communion of the Church: communion, communion, communion!

When we look at society, when we see the wars between Israel and Iran... and we Catholics, what do we do?! If we Catholics are divided, we are stupid, we are few in number, and if we allow ourselves the luxury of being divided, then it really isn't great. The Church must have the maturity to accept differences and divergences.