(LifeSiteNews) — The head of the worldwide Benedictine Confederation has said since Pope Benedict XVI “opened doors” to the Traditional Latin Mass, its total suppression is “no longer possible.”
In an interview with katholisch.de, Jeremias Schröder, who has served as Abbot Primate of the Benedictine Confederation since 2024, was asked about the potential conflict between the Novus Ordo and the Traditional Latin Mass (TLM) in the Benedictine order.
“I don’t see a conflict there,” the German monk said. “Among us Benedictines, the traditional liturgy and the modern liturgy coexist in perfect harmony. We have about ten abbeys throughout the Order that celebrate the old rite, most of them in France. These belong predominantly to the Congregation of Solesmes, where, however, the majority of the monasteries follow the new missal.”
“Starting from the Abbey of Fontgombault, however, a group of monasteries has emerged that celebrate according to the old rite,” he continued. “They are fully integrated into their congregation. In addition, there is the monastery of Le Barroux with its daughter foundations, which was initially Lefebvrian in orientation. Following the unauthorized episcopal ordinations in 1988, the monastery returned to full communion with Rome and is directly subject to me as Abbot Primate.”
“We all treat one another with respect, and as Abbot Primate, I am also the Abbot Primate for these communities, even though I myself can only celebrate Mass using the new missal,” Schröder said. “That is what I did when I was invited to Fontgombault to celebrate the Conventual Mass, and it was, of course, accepted.”
When asked whether the Benedictines can serve as a model for the Church in its approach to dealing with TLM, Schröder said, “In a certain sense, yes, because we are already practicing this peaceful coexistence.”
“I am very curious to see how Pope Leo will address the issue,” he continued.
“Now that Pope Benedict has opened doors here, it will no longer be possible to completely push out the old rite.”
“We have fellow brothers and sisters who have built their religious lives on this form of prayer and celebration of the Mass. This now has a rightful place in the Church and should at least be permitted in some areas,” he concluded.