From Mr Gerald B Lyons
Sir, John Beaumont (January 24) goes into some detail in proving the schism which led to the formation of the St Pius X Society. However, as with everyone who has expressed opinions on this matter, he misses the salient point.
Archbishop Lefebvre and his associates refused to lose the traditional worship of the Church and declared their continuing allegiance to the traditional Holy Sacrifice of the Mass as celebrated for the past almost 2,000 years, and paid a price for that loyalty as did the English Martyrs who died for the same Mass some 400 years ago.
The reason for the success of the .Society is that thousands flocked to the celebration of the Old Latin Mass and the Society's seminaries are full today with the priests who will forever keep alive the traditional Missal.
Mr Beaumont speaks of the "remarkably generous" offer to grant a return to the fold by Rome. The declaration to be agreed by the St Pius X Society would include the following: "We recognise the validity of the Novus Ordo Missal promulgated by. Pope Paul VI every time it is correctly celebrated with the intention of offering the true sacrifice of Holy Mass." Note: there is no mention of the Traditional Latin Mass or of it having any place in the modern Church. Hardly a generous offer!
Yours faithfully, GERALD 13-LYONS Leeds LS16 5JS