At the French Bishops’ Assembly in Lourdes, Cardinal Aveline warns that the Latin Mass dispute endangers the Church’s unity and faith.
Newsroom (25/03/2026 Gaudium Press )The ongoing debate over the Traditional Latin Mass took center stage at the Spring Plenary Assembly of the French Episcopal Conference, as Cardinal Jean-Marc Aveline, Archbishop of Marseille and the conference president, described the issue as a “painful wound” harming the very unity of the Catholic Church. The gathering, held in Lourdes from March 24 to 26, brought together bishops from across France to address liturgical tensions, clergy abuse reforms, and international conflicts shaping the Church’s mission.
A wound at the heart of unity
In his opening address, Aveline directly confronted what he called “a painful wound” dividing the faithful over the Tridentine Mass. Quoting a letter from Cardinal Pietro Parolin sent on behalf of Pope Leo, Aveline said it was “worrying that a painful wound continues to open up in the Church concerning the celebration of the Mass, the very sacrament of unity.”
The statement underscored the cardinal’s view that this rift is not merely administrative, but theological — striking at the “core of ecclesial life.” His words resonated strongly in a Church still navigating the implementation of Traditionis Custodes, the papal document that restricts widespread celebration of the pre-Vatican II liturgy.
Listening, but within the Church’s “great Tradition”
Despite his alarm, Aveline stressed the need for pastoral sensitivity. “We all know the urgent need to listen to the spiritual thirst of all the baptized,” he said, urging bishops to understand the deep attachment many faithful feel toward the older rite.
Yet he cautioned that such openness cannot detach from Church teaching: this listening must remain “firmly linked to the great Tradition of the Church,” one that embraces all councils, “including, without a doubt, the Second Vatican Council.” The message was clear — dialogue, yes, but always within the continuity of Catholic doctrine.
A discussion that will continue
Aveline emphasized that the debate over liturgy and tradition is far from settled. He announced that the bishops would devote a dedicated conference to the theme “Liturgy and Tradition,” indicating that the issue’s complexity demands further collective reflection.
“This matter is so important that we should begin to address it together in our assemblies,” he said, noting that the topic would also inform preparations for the consistory called by Pope Leo XIV in June.
Beyond liturgy: Abuse, education, and global crises
The assembly’s agenda extended beyond the liturgical question. French bishops are expected to deliberate the future of the Instance nationale indépendante de reconnaissance et de réparation (INIRR), the independent body handling abuse reparations, whose current mandate ends in August 2026. Aveline urged the creation of a more enduring structure for justice and healing.
Education also stood out as a papal priority. The bishops planned to explore how Catholic education in France can remain a force for moral and cultural renewal, especially amid growing secularization.
Finally, the assembly turned its eyes outward. The escalating violence in the Middle East weighed heavily on the discussions, with Aveline condemning what he called a “merciless war” and urging the Church to remain a voice for peace.
Remembering martyrs, looking toward Easter
As the French bishops’ meeting continues through Thursday, the proceedings will also honor the memory of the martyrs of Algeria — a solemn remembrance that connects past witness and present faith at the threshold of Holy Week.
For Cardinal Aveline and his brother bishops, the question of the Latin Mass remains a test of balance: how to reconcile fidelity to tradition with the unity of a universal Church still striving to heal its deepest divides.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Infovaticana
Related Images:
