Rev. James Martin

Well, that's a really interesting question. We had an article in America Media by John Baldovin, who was a liturgical theologian that talked about the Latin Mass. And, you know, to go back to church unity, and, you know, I don't know if I would have made the same decision as the Pope, you know, in terms of the limiting. But, you know, I think he saw it as a threat to unity.

Well, that's a really interesting question. We had an article in America Media by John Baldovin, who was a liturgical theologian that talked about the Latin Mass. And, you know, to go back to church unity, and, you know, I don't know if I would have made the same decision as the Pope, you know, in terms of the limiting. But, you know, I think he saw it as a threat to unity.

I think that's, you know, that was behind that document that he came out with. And so... If we're going to say that we need unity in terms of sexual teaching, right, and not breaking the church on that, I think he didn't want to break the church on that as well, on the Latin mass. That was his judgment. Yeah. So, like I said, I don't know if I would have done it exactly the same way.

I think that's, you know, that was behind that document that he came out with. And so... If we're going to say that we need unity in terms of sexual teaching, right, and not breaking the church on that, I think he didn't want to break the church on that as well, on the Latin mass. That was his judgment. Yeah. So, like I said, I don't know if I would have done it exactly the same way.

Well, first of all, I think I may have said this to you before. I'm more traditional than you might think. That's the first thing. So devotion to the saints, to the blessed sacrament, to lords, too. So some of these things are right up my alley. You know, my general rule is whatever brings you closer to God. And if you like the Latin Mass, wonderful.

Well, first of all, I think I may have said this to you before. I'm more traditional than you might think. That's the first thing. So devotion to the saints, to the blessed sacrament, to lords, too. So some of these things are right up my alley. You know, my general rule is whatever brings you closer to God. And if you like the Latin Mass, wonderful.

If you like to go to a Taizé service, wonderful. If you like San Egidio, I know this is all inside baseball stuff to non-Catholics, but wonderful. And it's not surprising that people would turn to more traditional ways of being Catholic and traditional rites, you know, in kind of times of uncertainty. I think there's a certain comfort to that. Interesting times. Interesting times.

If you like to go to a Taizé service, wonderful. If you like San Egidio, I know this is all inside baseball stuff to non-Catholics, but wonderful. And it's not surprising that people would turn to more traditional ways of being Catholic and traditional rites, you know, in kind of times of uncertainty. I think there's a certain comfort to that. Interesting times. Interesting times.

There's a certain comfort to that. And I think it's great. Here's the dividing point for me. as long as people who say that don't say that other Catholics are somehow not Catholic. So I think as long as there's openness, right, to both sides, as long as you're not what a friend of mine calls a rigidarian, then I think it's great.

There's a certain comfort to that. And I think it's great. Here's the dividing point for me. as long as people who say that don't say that other Catholics are somehow not Catholic. So I think as long as there's openness, right, to both sides, as long as you're not what a friend of mine calls a rigidarian, then I think it's great.

Look, I grew up in the 1960s, 1970s Catholic Church, which a lot of people deride as beige Catholicism, right? Felt banners. But you know what? It meant a lot to me, and it still means a lot to me. And I go back to my home parish, which is this big 1960s A-frame parish outside of Philadelphia, and I love it. And if that appeals to me, that's great.

Look, I grew up in the 1960s, 1970s Catholic Church, which a lot of people deride as beige Catholicism, right? Felt banners. But you know what? It meant a lot to me, and it still means a lot to me. And I go back to my home parish, which is this big 1960s A-frame parish outside of Philadelphia, and I love it. And if that appeals to me, that's great.

If someone else goes to a high mass, a high solemn mass that's in Latin at some cathedral and that appeals to them, that's great. So I think the key is not cutting off the other side and really taking the other person's spirituality and faith seriously. And I do see that in Catholicism. I do see a lot of, you're not really Catholic if you do this or that.

If someone else goes to a high mass, a high solemn mass that's in Latin at some cathedral and that appeals to them, that's great. So I think the key is not cutting off the other side and really taking the other person's spirituality and faith seriously. And I do see that in Catholicism. I do see a lot of, you're not really Catholic if you do this or that.

And that's frustrating because the Catholic Church really should be Here comes everyone, particularly in spirituality. I'm really strong about that. I really hate when people say, you're not a good Catholic because you don't pray the rosary, or you're not a good Catholic because you don't go to Taizé services or San Egidio, right, or something that's a little more liberal.

And that's frustrating because the Catholic Church really should be Here comes everyone, particularly in spirituality. I'm really strong about that. I really hate when people say, you're not a good Catholic because you don't pray the rosary, or you're not a good Catholic because you don't go to Taizé services or San Egidio, right, or something that's a little more liberal.

You know, I hope not, given that we're speaking right after Easter and we've just welcomed... One would think there wouldn't be. But I really do think, for me, the trouble is when people say, because you don't do this, you're a bad Catholic. And it's basically because you don't do what I like doing. And that's really frustrating to me.

You know, I hope not, given that we're speaking right after Easter and we've just welcomed... One would think there wouldn't be. But I really do think, for me, the trouble is when people say, because you don't do this, you're a bad Catholic. And it's basically because you don't do what I like doing. And that's really frustrating to me.

You know, and also, I'll just say, I mean, this is not to gather sympathy, but, you know, when I tell people that I love the rosary, I went to Lourdes, people kind of cock their head at me and say, how can you believe in that stuff? And I say, well, I'm Catholic. And that, to be kind of diminished that way is a very strange feeling.

You know, and also, I'll just say, I mean, this is not to gather sympathy, but, you know, when I tell people that I love the rosary, I went to Lourdes, people kind of cock their head at me and say, how can you believe in that stuff? And I say, well, I'm Catholic. And that, to be kind of diminished that way is a very strange feeling.