Analysing the current status of the traditional Mass and the SSPX, Bishop Athanasius Schneider told the Catholic Herald that there are “evident doctrinal and liturgical defects in the Novus Ordo” which must be addressed, but that the Vatican still views the old rite “as something dangerous”.
Astana’s prominent auxiliary, Bishop Athanasius Schneider, is due to celebrate Mass for the annual traditional Mass pilgrimage to Rome later this month. In a change of fortune from last year, the pilgrimage was denied permission to celebrate the Mass in the Vatican, as had been the default, meaning that Schneider will instead offer the liturgy in the Papal Basilica of St. Mary Major.
Schneider had personally conveyed the pilgrimage organisers’ request – for the Mass to be held in the Vatican – to Pope Leo during a private audience in December 2025, but it took until August 2026 for an answer in the negative to return from the Secretariat of State. Asked about this and the status of the old rite under Leo, Schneider opined that the restrictions are “continuing and even in some cases it’s becoming worse. There is news of some dioceses with a drastic reduction, which is a kind of persecution.”
Many devotees of the traditional Mass have previously attended the Society of Saint Pius X, but since the much contested July 1 episcopal consecrations the Vatican has urged Catholics to avoid SSPX liturgies: although still-active Vatican texts do outline the manner in which it is possible to attend without being deemed to “formally adhere” to the declared schism.
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