TLMPHOBIA: WHY IS A LITURGICAL ETHOS AND ORDER WITH ALMOST 1,800 YEARS OF TRADITION SO HATED? WHAT HAS RADICALIZED THE TLMPHOBIC?

In terms of unity in liturgical and even doctrinal diversity, the cultural heritage and ethos of the liturgies of the east and the west (Western Rites in union with the pope; Eastern Rites in union or not in union with the pope) is of the same period of initial organic development although with the differences in cultural trappings of the period in which they developed. 

With the revisions of the Latin Rite liturgies after Vatican II, the Roman Rite liturgies became distanced from our Eastern Rites counterparts and pulled more into the cultural ethos of Protestantism’s concepts of liturgy, stripped down, simplified and instructional rather than mystical. 

It appears that Pope Paul VI and his Consilium thought it was more important for the Roman Rite to align itself with the Protestant ethos of the Liturgy than with the Eastern Rites, in union or in schism (Orthodox). This is very odd to say the least since the East, in union or in schism, have valid sacraments, valid apostolic succession and more in common with Rome than Protestantism. Very strange indeed. But ecumenism with Protestantism, with a naive belief this would lead Protestants back to the Catholic Church, was deemed more important than leading the Orthodox back to full communion. I would say it is easier to lead the Orthodox back to full communion, because it has already been done with those who are in the Eastern Rites of the Church. 

But why are so many Catholics, clergy and laity, so fearful of the TLM liturgies? 

1. They think it is divisive. But it is not more divisive than the Liturgies of the Eastern Rites in Union with Rome.

2. They think TLMers are rigid and backwardists. That may be so, but why do the TLMphobics think they need to psychoanalyze fellow Catholics and their liturgical preferences?

3. They say that Latin is a language that many don’t understand. That’s true, but with today’s multiplicity of languages at Mass often those who attend Mass if they are English speakers can’t under Spanish, Portuguese, Vietnamese and the like. 

4. They think the TLM liturgies are an attempt to undo Vatican II. Do they think that is also the case with those who love the Eastern Rites Liturgies which, for the most part, were not reformed by the Vatican and if Vatican II had an effect on them, it was more parochial than from on high.

5. They think it marginalizes the laity, glorifies clericalism and isn’t in tune with Vatican II ecclesiology—so what? Both accept the Nicene Creed except for heterodox TLM haters. 

Yes TLMphobia, while not a crime is a mental illness that needs counseling, not radicalization.