Paix liturgique

I continue to follow very closely what happens at the Dicastery for Divine Worship, and with the utmost attention.

The Pope has now replaced its Secretary. Typically, and this is especially true in this instance, the Secretary is the main axe around which revolves all the activity of the Dicastery. Until now, this position was held by Monsignor Vittorio Francesco Viola, whom *Paix Liturgique* has mentioned on several occasions (for example: Paix Liturgique France). A Franciscan prelate, he is considered one of the "promising youngsters" (though he is already 60) within Pope Francis’s Curia. An alumnus of the Pontifical Atheneum of Saint Anselm, specializing, therefore, in liturgy, and a close associate of the well-known Andrea Grillo, a professor at the same institution – who once remarked of Viola, "He is more progressive than I am" – Vittorio Viola is a staunch proponent of *Traditionis custodes*.

The Pope has removed him from the Dicastery for Divine Worship, yet has granted him a highly significant role: he has been appointed Archpriest of St. Peter’s Basilica and Vicar General for Vatican City. He replaces Mauro Gambetti—also a 60-year-old Franciscan—whose disastrous tenure has resulted in his "exile" to a small Italian archdiocese, Chieti-Vasto. Viola, who is bound to be created a cardinal very soon, now becomes the authority on liturgy at St. Peter’s, a basilica he will now be able to fortify very effectively against any potential intrusion of the traditional Latin Mass.

Viola is highly regarded by the Pope: he is a discreet, hard-working man, known for his rather abrasive manner and great determination—qualities that make him well-suited to bring order to the affairs of the Basilica and the Fabric of St. Peter’s. Naturally, he celebrates only the new rite, though he does it with "dignity." ...two aspects that the Holy Father values above all else. A figure whose trajectory is therefore worth following closely.

He is being replaced as Secretary for Divine Worship by Msgr. Aurelio García Macías, previously the Dicastery’s Undersecretary and already a bishop, which is unusual for this position. A 60-year-old Spaniard known for his efficiency, he embodies perfectly what might be called a "senior Curial official." Within the Dicastery for Divine Worship, he was already in charge of everything related to the traditional rite. It was he who systematically sent letters of refusal to any bishop who forwarded a request from one of their newly ordained priests to celebrate the traditional Mass.

Nevertheless, Aurelio García is not an ideologue. He is, one might say, a pragmatic, just a highly reliable senior official. He served with loyalty under Cardinal Sarah, the former Prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship; he served with equal loyalty under Cardinal Roche—Sarah’s successor—and Msgr. Viola. And he will serve with efficiency under whichever new Prefect is appointed to replace Cardinal Roche (who turned 75 last year).

His liturgical doctrine aligns with that of Roche, Viola, and the Pope himself: emphasizing the beauty of the new liturgy (he translated into Spanish *Liturgia y belleza. Nobilis pulchritudo* by Piero Marini, who served as secretary to Annibale Bugnini, the architect of the liturgical reform, and later as Master of Ceremonies for John Paul II. He likes to say that "the liturgy does not belong to those who celebrate it"; consequently, there should be no room for "abuses" in the celebration of the new rite, only for a liturgy that is new and "dignified." Accordingly, he sought to temper the folkloric enthusiasm of the Mexican bishops regarding their pet project: the invention of a "Mayan rite" (Paix Liturgique France).

The prominence given to García Macías offers a clue as to the type of Prefect for the Dicastery that Pope Leo might soon appoint to replace Arthur Roche. The latter, who holds the rank of Bailiff Grand Cross of Honor and Devotion in the Order of Malta, might very well become the Order’s cardinal protector, thus succeeding Cardinal Gianfranco Ghirlanda.

Who, then, will become the Prefect for Divine Worship? There is talk of Msgr. Diego Ravelli, the Master of Pontifical Liturgical Celebrations. In fact, he speaks of it quite often himself, as it is his dream. Msgr. Guido Marini, who served as Master of Pontifical Liturgical Celebrations under Benedict XVI and, for a time, under Pope Francis, is also being mentioned. Such an appointment would cause traditionalists to rejoice, albeit mistakenly, for Guido Marini is entirely unacquainted with the traditional rite, and is a proponent of the new rite celebrated with "dignity." The plague of "dignity"! Since a "dignified" new rite remains the new rite.

In short, I do not harbour much optimism. Yet, I remain filled with great hope.

Let us pray, then, alongside the Parisian "sentinels" who recite the Rosary at 10 Rue du Cloître-Notre-Dame, Monday through Friday, 1:00 pm to 1:30 pm; at Saint-Georges de La Villette, 114 Avenue Simon Bolivar, Wednesdays and Fridays at 5:00 pm; and in front of Notre-Dame du Travail, Sundays at 6:15 pm.