Cardinal Defends Latin Mass Against Francis’ Crusade

Hong Kong Cardinal Joseph Zen, 89, is worried about possible restrictions Francis may impose on the Traditional Latin Mass.

On his blog OldYosef.hkdavc.com (June 12), he makes a point in stressing that he is "clearly not considered an extremist" of the Roman Rite and that he has worked actively for the Novus Ordo as a priest and bishop.

Nevertheless, Zen cannot deny the good that came from the Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum. Through the Roman Rite, many young people of Hong Kong have "rediscovered the sense of adoration and reverence we owe to God, our Creator.”

Zen writes that he “cannot forget" the Mass of his childhood. In Shanghai, his father took him to Mass every day and to five Masses on Sunday [while it would be impossible for a contemporary boy to stand the verbiage of five Novus Ordo services in a row].

As a boy, Zen felt the deep reverence of the Roman Rite and was fascinated by the beauty of the Gregorian chant. This experience has nourished his vocation to the priesthood, “as in the case of so many others.”

Picture: Joseph Zen, © Etan Liam, CC BY-ND, #newsCmusxlymit