Letters to the Editor
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May 20, 2025
Gerry Turcotte’s recent column hailing the late Pope Francis as the “People’s Pope” ignores decisions that betrayed an autocratic style rather than pastoral leadership.
Francis’s curtailment of the venerable Traditional Latin Mass dimmed a vital liturgical light. Its growing embrace by large young families shone as a beacon of renewal. Abrupt dismissal of Bishop Joseph Strickland from the Diocese of Tyler Texas in 2023 signalled another move against voices of tradition. Within the Roman Curia, by replacing longtime officials with loyalists, Francis centralized power and stifled debate.
These episodes remind us true pastoral leadership listens to and nurtures diverse traditions of the faithful.
Michael Henry Otis
Newmarket, Ont.
How will the new Pope treat tradition? – the Editor.