FSSPX and Traditionis Custodes: Gänswein Criticizes, Koch Holds Hope

Two curial voices on July 4: Gänswein deems Francis' *motu proprio* "erroneous," Koch still believes reconciliation with the Fraternity is possible. A line is emerging, minority but audible.

The Fact

Two curial voices emerged simultaneously in the press on July 4, 2026, regarding the SSPX dossier and the traditional Mass. Archbishop Georg Gänswein, former private secretary to Benedict XVI and apostolic nuncio in the Baltic countries, told Infovaticana that the motu proprio Traditionis Custodes constituted an "error" that "must be corrected." Cardinal Kurt Koch, prefect of the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity, confided to the same media outlet that he still believes reconciliation between the Society of Saint Pius X and Rome is "possible," despite the excommunications notified on July 2.

Our Analysis (in the Light of Magisterium)

These two statements do not belong to the ordinary magisterium of the Pope. They are theological and diplomatic opinions of two prelates, whose authority is real but limited. They shed light on the mindset of part of the Roman Curia. In our previous edition, we noted Cardinal Müller’s call for the "full freedom" of the traditional Mass. The convergence of Müller, Gänswein, and Koch outlines a line. It is not a majority position in the Vatican, but it exists. The Second Vatican Council, in Sacrosanctum Concilium (n. 4), teaches that the Church "considers all lawfully recognized rites as equal in right and dignity, and wishes to preserve and foster them in every way." The motu proprio Summorum Pontificum of Benedict XVI (July 7, 2007) had drawn concrete conclusions from this. Traditionis Custodes by Francis (July 16, 2021) reversed the logic. The debate is doctrinal, not merely disciplinary.

For Reflection

Liturgy is not a matter of factions. It is "the public worship which our Redeemer, as Head of the Church, offers to the heavenly Father, and which the community of the faithful offers to its Founder, and through Him to the eternal Father" (Pius XII, Mediator Dei, November 20, 1947, n. 20). We will pray that Leo XIV finds the path to liturgical peace, in fidelity to the Council and to Tradition.