Reason 25

25. Because we are faced with a dilemma: either we become Protestantized by worshiping with the New Mass, or else we preserve our Catholic Faith by adhering faithfully to the traditional Mass of All Time.


Several major problems: first, where is the dilemma? A dilemma only exists where both propositions are essentially equal in their desirability. There is no suggestion of anything negative in the second proposition offered here, there fore, no dilemma. Given this choice, who would pick the first?

Secondly, and less importantly, the traditional Mass cannot be the Mass of All Time literally, as it is certainly not the way the Mass was celebrated in the year AD 200. Further, there are other legitimate liturgies within the Church, from the Ambrosian rite to the Dominican rite still celebrated today. Perhaps what is meant is that the Mass is for all future time, and as long as it is celebrated somewhere, this is true.

The third issue here is the most important I have to raise: this reason is in no way valid. It assumes the very thing it is arguing against, that is, it begs the question. Imagine I say I cannot vote for a certain politician because he is a communist, and someone asks my for my reasons. If I answer “because I either must vote for a communist or vote for the politician who supports my beliefs” I have given to answer. All this reason says is that they oppose the New Mass as Protestant because it is Protestant, something which most be proved independently.

In the end one must ask “why are we becoming Protestantized?” And this objection does not offer an answer.