In an exclusive interview with AdVaticanum, the Prefect of the Dicastery for Divine Worship speaks about his dicastery, the controversy over an Islamic chant at a Belgian university Mass, the future of Traditionis Custodes, the validity of SSPX sacraments and whether there was an appetite among bishops for change from Summorum Pontificum
Cardinal Arthur Roche is one of the most senior churchmen in the Vatican. He served as Secretary of the then Congregation for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments for almost a decade before becoming Prefect of the now Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments in 2021. Now in his fourth pontificate as a bishop and his third as a member of the Curia, his influence over the liturgical direction of the Church is unparalleled.
The most contentious issue the Cardinal has had to contend with has undoubtedly been the extent to which the Dicastery permits the celebration of the Traditional Latin Mass. On this subject, he has taken a markedly different approach from the two prefects under whom he served as secretary, Cardinals Antonio Cañizares Llovera and Robert Sarah. For Cardinal Roche, the Church should worship with one voice by embracing the liturgical changes implemented following the Second Vatican Council, which he sees as an improvement on the Vetus Ordo.
Alongside his curial positions, Cardinal Roche is deeply personable and has a genius for friendship. He is a family friend of the Ballester family, whose eldest son is on track to become the Church’s first millennial saint, and carries with him in Rome many friendships from his time as Auxiliary Bishop of Westminster and Bishop of Leeds.
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