Ad Populum

It has been fairly widely reported today that Cardinal Nichols, Archbishop of Westminster, has wasted little time contacting the clergy of his diocese, and essentially urging them to ignore the words of Cardinal Sarah concerning the celebration of Mass ad orientem. (See post below).

It is noteworthy that Cardinal Nichols is speaking for himself, and not on behalf of the Bishops' Conference of England and Wales.  So far as I am aware, no other bishop of England or Wales (or indeed of the world) has responded similarly.

The conclusion that we must make, is that Cardinal Nichols has an agenda all of his own, and it is one that is antagonistic to the traditional movement in the Church.  It is also one that will not be welcomed by a significant proportion of his clergy, and of his flock.