Is it wrong to attend a Mass in which Jorge Bergoglio (“Pope Francis”) is named in the Eucharistic Prayer?
Currently, this is perhaps our most frequently asked question.
We have no canonical or theological expertise in the matter—nor has the Lord said anything to us regarding this particular question. But in response to those who have asked us, we offer this as simply our prayerful opinion.
No, in general we don’t believe it would be wrong to attend such a Mass at this time.
In this confusing situation, we can understand the option that some have proposed of interiorly withholding communion with Jorge Bergoglio, while affirming communion with Our Lord and His Church.
While the current situation is substantially different and eminently more grave than the Great Western Schism (1378-1417), two examples from that time are still worthy of consideration.
The first is St. Vincent Ferrer who, like other saints and good Catholics, for a time erroneously believed that the anti-pope Clement VII was the true pope. During this time in good faith he would have been praying the Mass in union with an anti-pope. And it was during this time that the Lord worked through him a seemingly unheard-of number of miracles, healings, and conversions.
Secondly, St. Anthony of Florence during this same era of schism, as Church historian Dr. Edmund Mazza points out, reproached those Catholics who refused to be in communion with their fellow Catholics over different beliefs about who was truly pope. He called for great charity to be exercised in a time of great confusion and uncertainty.¹
Charity is crucial to our situation today as well. These are extremely mysterious, confusing, and trying times. Times of an unprecedented crisis in the Church. Times profoundly difficult for faithful clergy and laity alike. Times which call for faith, discernment and courage, as well as humility, patience and, again, charity.
There are many good priests and bishops who sincerely believe that Jorge Bergoglio is pope. Others are unsure or have grave doubts. Still others have been given the light to recognize the truth about Bergoglio, but have discerned that the Lord is not yet calling them to speak out. For now, they believe they can best serve the faithful by remaining discreet. Different understandings and discernments, but all men who are celebrating the Mass in good faith.
In our own situation, we discerned the Lord warning us early on about Jorge Bergoglio. But for many years the Lord clearly indicated that He was not yet calling us to speak out. He was asking us to be silent and await His hour. This was a great sacrifice for us. We often thought of the hidden life of Jesus when He was still living as a simple carpenter, meekly fulfilling his religious duties, and going to the Temple but not yet denouncing the corruption there. And He continued His silence, for a time, even after St. John the Baptist had begun speaking out and boldly condemning the evil that was consuming the religious hierarchy of the time. It might have seemed that Jesus was failing to stand up to this evil and corruption. But it was not yet His hour and He had to wait. We believe this can be the case with many priests in our current situation.
The time is coming, we believe, when there will not be room for doubt, and all people will have to make a choice. But to reiterate, as we cooperate with God in His Reconquest, much charity and patience are needed in dealing with our brothers and sisters enveloped in the terrible confusion we are living. And that certainly includes our priests.
1 See Dr. Mazza’s interview with Dr. Robert Moynihan, “Vigano vs. the Pope,” Urbi et Orbi Communications, July 8, 2024.
