The Reception of the Second Vatican Council by Traditionalist Catholics

The reception of the Second Vatican Council by traditionalist Catholics is a complex phenomenon. First, the traditionalist world is a universe unto itself, consisting of networks of many individuals and movements. Added to this is the passage of time and varying situations, which has led to an ever-changing interpretation of the council by traditionalists. This chapter will examine the reception of Vatican II by traditionalists over three different eras. The first runs from 8 December 1965 to 30 November 1969; that is, from the closing of the council to the entry into force of the prescriptions of the Apostolic Constitution Missale Romanum (3 April 1969). From this date, the reception of Vatican II by opponents of the council entered a new, second phase. That continued until the year 2000, when the Society of St Pius X organized a pilgrimage to Rome, which gave rise to doctrinal discussions between the society and the Holy See. These discussions opened a new period in the reception of Vatican II by traditionalists, which continues to the present day.