The Neo-Indult Strategy
Will there be a new indult in play after the SSPX consecrates more bishops in July 2026?
Fr. Dave Nix recently posted on X about a letter issued by the Bishop of Owensboro, in Kentucky, to the pastor of Immaculate Conception parish, Fr. David Kennedy, directing him “to not celebrate the Mass according to the Roman Missal of 1962 after June 30, 2026.”
This was followed up with a piece from Riaan Van Zyl, who, writing for Integrity Magazine, summarized the situation. Both posts (Fr. Nix, and Van Zyl, aka Radical Fidelity) provide the backdrop for my article.
The question some Catholics have is: How does this latest development stack up with the high-profile and controversial SSPX consecrations lined up for the 01st of July 2026.
Since the close of the Second Vatican Council in 1965 and the promulgation of the new Mass (Novus Ordo Missae) in 1969, Rome has always treated the headache they have encountered in the form of Traditionalists demanding the old rite, with indults (temporary permissions).
One of the earliest and most famous post-conciliar indults was the 1971 'Agatha Christie Indult', that was “permitted to the local Ordinaries of England and Wales to grant that certain groups of the faithful may on special occasions be allowed to participate in the Mass celebrated according to the rites and texts of the former Roman Missal.” (see here)
However, prior to this Archbishop Lefebvre had already commenced with the initiation of the Society of Saint Pius X (FSSPX) in 1970, with permissions from his local bishop. Therefore, the use of the 1962 missal certainly was in use by the SSPX prior to the indult from Pope Paul VI.
This was followed up with John Paul II’s Apostolic letter Ecclesia Dei Adflicta with permissions and communities that came into, and owe their existence to the SSPX. Thanks to the infamous SSPX consecrations in 1988 which, though a big relief for Traditionalists, was no less of an substantial extension of the indult framework (Catholics who hold Popes John Paul II and Benedict XVI in particularly high regard often have difficulty swallowing this bitter pill, though some like Michael Matt of the Remnant do make it a point to remind their audience of the role played by the SSPX in allowing for the Latin Mass to be more accessible.
Then came Benedict XVI & his indult through the Motu proprio Summorum Pontificum in 2007, which on the face of it seemed generous because it extended the Latin Mass beyond the indult community to the diocesan level — but still needed supervision from Rome.
Whatever criticism of modernism one may level against the previous conciliar Popes (prior to Francis), they were at least willing to extend permissions, albeit reluctantly at times, after having their backs to the wall — as happened with Pope John Paul II in 1988, or out of some sense of realization — as happened with Benedict XVI in 2007. But make no mistake about this — Catholicism has thus found itself governed by a regime of permissions issued by ecclesiastical "wardens" (to borrow Stephen Kokx's analogy), as though Catholics require authorization to profess the faith that was always professed, and to attend the Mass that was always offered.
The permissions from Benedict XVI was shot down by Pope Francis through his Motu proprio Traditionis Custodes in 2021; this one action became the straw that broke the proverbial camel’s back in Francis’ relation with Traditional Catholics who were dependent on the Traditional Latin Mass vide diocesan priests and the indult community.
Since the “election” of Leo XIV as “Pope”, there has been a very palpable and clear ‘hope’ by the Latin Mass community that Leo will roll back the draconian revoking of the TLM in 2021 by Francis.
The indications of how inclined Leo was to such a policy change were confusing initially. He chanted in Latin, projected an image of personal piety, and embraced a more traditional liturgical aesthetic; Mozzettas, stoles, and richly ornamented vestments once again became prominent features of papal ceremonies every time Leo celebrated a liturgy. And every time this happened, Catholics all over the world swooned, including those who were at odds against Francis such as Trad Inc (the Trad Inc. treachery is well known and several writers and podcasters have spoken out against their hypocrisy. I have written a few articles and if one wants to refer these, they can go here , here and here). However, the confusion arose over the fact that Leo pledged fidelity to the continuation of Francis’ reforms right from day one.
As 2025 played out, things started to become a lot clearer on where Leo stood on any changes to the reforms by ‘Pope’ Francis (see here). In an interview with Crux, ‘Pope’ Leo said the following:
“Well, you can say Mass in Latin right now. If it’s the Vatican II rite there’s no problem. Obviously, between the Tridentine Mass [1962 rite] and the Vatican II Mass, the Mass of Paul VI, I’m not sure where that’s going to go. It’s obviously very complicated”
It therefore serves to reason that Rome’s strategy has evolved with respect to the treatment of the Latin Mass. The tune now sung in Kentucky with Bishop Medley is similar. Because, if you have read the above letter by him, here is what he says (emphasis mine):
“I know that in some dioceses the faithful who have shown a preference for the Mass celebrated in Latin have accepted the Novus Ordo Mass celebrated in the Latin language. I trust that between now and July 1, 2026, you can obtain the appropriate missal of Paul VI in Latin. I will grant the singular permission to offer this Mass ad orientem.”
It serves to also therefore reason that when the SSPX scheduled consecrations go through on 1st July 2026, Rome may be preparing a new accommodation strategy—one that preserves the liturgical aesthetics favored by traditionalists while remaining firmly within the framework of the 1969 Missal of Paul VI. Think of it as a Latin Mass, but with the Vatican II-Paul VI rite (The language used will be Latin, the mass will be offered ad orientem, and with no concelebration).
The reasoning would obviously be that with all the success Leo has had with his “avatar” loaded with traditional vestments, chants, and “appearances”, the same strategy can be replicated to handle Traditionalist “sentiment” — after all, the modernist presumes that the bare minimum that the Traditionalist is looking for is Mass in Latin, a Mass offered ad orientem, no concelebration, kneeling to receive the Eucharist, and those silly veils (silly in the opinion of progressives). This Rome can tolerate. What Rome cannot tolerate is any discussion or demand on the change of ecclesiological direction for which the foundation is Vatican II — which is why the SSPX, who does not accept the conciliar ecclesiology, but yet does not abandon the ship (conciliar) as the sedevacantist do, is such a threat to Rome.
On that note, did you know that James Martin SJ “celebrated” an ad orientem Mass? He “proudly” waved it in the face of devout and embarrassed Catholics through a post on X (see below).
If the interpretation of this trend is correct, the post-conciliar establishment may have developed a new strategy for managing traditionalist resistance: preserving selected external markers of tradition while maintaining the theological and ecclesiological trajectory & current established after Vatican II.
The remaining question is whether this approach will come into effect after July 2026. Based on current developments, I believe the answer is very likely “yes”.
Ave Maria
Yes the Ecclesia Dei & diocesan community are sitting ducks so to speak. Some (many?) who prefer the aesthetics of the TLM, and don't really get the problems associated with the ecclesiology of Vatican II, won't mind an indult (1969 missal) which gives them a counterfeit of the TLM.
“The Mass in Latin” phrase speaks to both the abject ignorance of NO folks and the hubris of the clergy.
“You could say the NO in Latin” ……. Wow! Lipstick on a pig.
As any Catholic with half a brain knows the TLM’s orientation is vertical. To God. It’s the offering of the Son to the Father. A sacrifice.
The NO? What can you say…..? It’s a communal meal. No offertory. No sacrifice. Sometimes a hootenanny. Is it even a valid consecration?
That’s it. The mass of Martin Luther. And in Latin it’s still the mass of Martin Luther.
To the Dystopian Synodal church……”Thanks but no thanks. We aren’t all idiots”