Catholic Traditionalism and Problematic Attitudes: An Examination of Racism, Xenophobia, Antisemitism, and Liturgical Misconceptions

Catholic Traditionalism and Problematic Attitudes: An Examination of Racism, Xenophobia, Antisemitism, and Liturgical Misconceptions

Catholic traditionalism, a movement emphasizing pre-Vatican II practices such as the Tridentine Mass, often attracts individuals seeking to preserve historical Catholic liturgy and theology. While many traditionalists are sincere in their faith, a subset exhibits behaviors suggestive of psychological issues, including narcissistic traits, neurotic rigidity, or adjustment disorders, which can manifest in extreme ideological positions such as racism, xenophobia, antisemitism, and a rejection of non-European liturgical expressions. These attitudes are frequently accompanied by a lack of obedience to Church authority and an erroneous insistence on a dichotomy between the “Novus Ordo” and “Traditional Latin Mass,” despite the Church’s teaching that the Roman Rite comprises one Mass with two expressions: the Ordinary Form and the Extraordinary Form. This post expands on these problematic attitudes, focusing on racism, xenophobia, and antisemitism, with specific examples from X posts by accounts such as Rorate Caeli (

@RorateCaeli

), Taylor Marshall (

@TaylorRMarshall), OnePeterFive (

@OnePeterFive

), and

@pluant

, as well as their broader online content. It also addresses the delusion that the post-Vatican II Mass is a distinct “Novus Ordo,” a term not used by the Church or Pope Paul VI, and the Pharisaical error of prioritizing ritual purity over unity and charity.

The “Novus Ordo” Misconception and Liturgical Delusions

The term “Novus Ordo” is a pejorative label used by some traditionalists to describe the post-Vatican II Mass, implying it is a rupture from Catholic tradition. However, the Church does not use this term officially. Pope Paul VI, in promulgating the revised Roman Missal in 1969, emphasized its continuity with the Roman Rite, rooted in the Council of Trent and adapted to modern needs (Sacrosanctum Concilium, 1963). Pope Benedict XVI’s Summorum Pontificum (2007) clarified that the Roman Rite has two expressions: the Ordinary Form (post-Vatican II Missal) and the Extraordinary Form (1962 Missal), both traditional and valid (Benedict XVI, 2007). The insistence on “Novus Ordo” as a separate, inferior rite reflects a hermeneutic of rupture, contrary to Church teaching, and aligns with a rigid mindset that may indicate psychological inflexibility, such as adjustment disorder, where individuals struggle to adapt to change (American Psychiatric Association, 2013).

Examples from X illustrate this delusion:

• @pluant

  tweeted, “The Novus Ordo is already hyper clericalist. It is overloaded with options, all at the cleric’s discretion. The genius of the Old Rite is that everyone is equally a servant of the rite” (

  @pluant

  , May 24, 2025). This post falsely contrasts the Ordinary Form with the “Old Rite,” ignoring their shared Roman Rite identity and suggesting the Ordinary Form lacks reverence.
• Another post by

  @pluant

  states, “It’s always really been about eliminating anything vaguely traditional from the Novus Ordo” (

  @pluant

  , May 26, 2025), promoting a narrative of modernist conspiracy that contradicts the Church’s affirmation of the Ordinary Form’s validity.
• @RorateCaeli

  has repeatedly used “Novus Ordo” to criticize the Ordinary Form, such as in a 2023 post claiming it “lacks the sacrificial depth” of the Tridentine Mass, despite the Catechism affirming the Mass’s sacrificial nature in both forms (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 1366-1367).

This rhetoric fosters division and reflects a Pharisaical error, akin to the Gospel’s critique of prioritizing ritual over charity (Matthew 23:23). The insistence on the “Novus Ordo” as a distinct entity suggests a cognitive bias toward self-reinforcing echo chambers, potentially indicative of neurotic fixation or narcissistic grandiosity, where traditionalists believe their interpretation alone preserves “true” Catholicism (APA, 2013).

Psychological Patterns: Narcissism, Neurosis, and Adjustment Disorders

The extreme positions of some traditionalists may be linked to psychological issues. Narcissistic personality disorder (NPD), characterized by grandiosity, a need for admiration, and lack of empathy, can manifest in the belief that only the Extraordinary Form is valid and that traditionalists are the sole guardians of Catholic truth (APA, 2013). Neurosis, historically associated with excessive anxiety and obsessive behavior, may drive scrupulosity or hyper-fixation on liturgical purity, as seen in traditionalist critiques of the Ordinary Form as “modernist” or “Protestantized.” Adjustment disorders, involving maladaptive responses to stressors like Vatican II reforms, may explain resistance to liturgical changes perceived as threats to identity (APA, 2013).

These patterns align with Vlad Naumescu’s description of traditionalist communities adopting a “defender of faith” mentality, uniting against perceived enemies (e.g., modernists, Pope Francis) and fostering exclusivity (Naumescu, cited in Wikipedia, 2002). This siege mentality can amplify narcissistic traits, such as the belief that traditionalists alone are correct, and neurotic tendencies, such as anxiety over liturgical “impurity.” Traditionalist priest Fr. Chad Ripperger has noted issues like anger and disobedience among traditionalists, warning against letting these consume spiritual life (Tumblar House, 2019).

Racism, Xenophobia, and Antisemitism in Traditionalist Circles

A troubling subset of traditionalist discourse exhibits racism, xenophobia, and antisemitism, often tied to a “white gaze” that prioritizes European cultural expressions in liturgy and rejects non-European influences. These attitudes reflect a lack of empathy and a rigid worldview, potentially linked to personality disorders or maladaptive coping mechanisms (APA, 2013). Below are specific examples from X and related content, highlighting these issues:

1. Antisemitism:
   • Historical Context: The Southern Poverty Law Center (SPLC) has documented antisemitism within radical traditionalist groups, particularly the Society of St. Pius X (SSPX), which has promoted texts like the Protocols of the Elders of Zion and medieval blood libel myths (SPLC, 2007). Bishop Richard Williamson, formerly of SSPX, is a known Holocaust denier, reflecting deep-seated antisemitic tendencies (Anti-Defamation League, 2023).
   • X Examples:
     • In 2013, Rorate Caeli (

       @RorateCaeli

       ) was criticized for publishing claims by Marcelo González, a traditionalist blogger, who questioned the extent of the Holocaust. Dawn Eden, a Jewish convert to Catholicism, noted that Rorate Caeli’s commenters responded with “viciously antisemitic” remarks, some of which were forwarded to other bloggers for documentation (Patheos, 2013).
     • A 2020 X post by

       @RorateCaeli

       stated, “The dignity of the Jewish people is immense: let us not forget that, in the Holy Saturday prayers, we ask the Lord that all nations be granted ‘Israeliticam dignitatem’” (

       @RorateCaeli

       , 2020). While seemingly positive, this post was in response to criticism of their earlier antisemitic content, and commenters on related blogs accused Rorate of deflecting from their history of promoting antisemitic tropes (Distinctions Matter, 2020).
     • Taylor Marshall (

       @TaylorRMarshall

       ) has engaged with antisemitic content, such as liking a 2019 tweet by Stefan Molyneux that questioned whether Jeffrey Epstein abused Jewish girls, described as “a fit of anti-Semitic innuendo” (Sojourners, 2019).
   • Analysis: These examples suggest a pattern of antisemitism, ranging from overt Holocaust denial to subtler endorsements of conspiracy theories, often linked to traditionalist suspicion of Vatican II’s Nostra Aetate, which rejected Jewish responsibility for Christ’s death (Catechism of the Catholic Church, 597).
2. Racism Against Black People and Non-White Cultures:
   • Context: Traditionalist discourse sometimes reflects a preference for Eurocentric cultural norms, dismissing non-white cultures as incompatible with “true” Catholicism. This aligns with the “white gaze,” where non-European expressions are deemed inferior or inauthentic (Sojourners, 2019).
   • X Examples:
     • Taylor Marshall (

       @TaylorRMarshall

       ) and Timothy Gordon, in a 2019 YouTube video posted on X, attacked Islam as a “corrupt, foul religion” and a “bloodthirsty enemy,” using racially charged language to describe Muslims as a threat to Western civilization (Sojourners, 2019). While not directly targeting Black people, this rhetoric reflects a broader rejection of non-European cultures, which can extend to African or African-diaspora liturgical practices.
     • OnePeterFive (

       @OnePeterFive

       ) published an article in 2025 by Peter Kwasniewski praising the “timeless beauty” of the Extraordinary Form while criticizing “modern” Masses with “African drums” or “indigenous dances,” implying these are less reverent (OnePeterFive, January 9, 2025). This dismisses non-European liturgical expressions, reflecting a Eurocentric bias.
   • Analysis: Such rhetoric marginalizes Black and non-white Catholics, whose cultural contributions to liturgy (e.g., African or Caribbean music) are often vibrant expressions of faith, approved by the Church (Sacrosanctum Concilium, 119).
3. Xenophobia and Rejection of Non-European Liturgical Expressions:
   • Context: Traditionalists often oppose liturgical adaptations that incorporate non-European cultures, viewing them as dilutions of Catholic tradition. This xenophobic stance reflects a discomfort with diversity, potentially linked to adjustment disorders or narcissistic exclusivity (APA, 2013).
   • X Examples:
     • @RorateCaeli

       posted in 2022 about the Amazon Synod, criticizing the use of “Pachamama” figures (misidentified tourist dolls) as “idolatrous” and lamenting non-European elements in liturgy as a “betrayal” of tradition (

       @RorateCaeli

       , December 7, 2022). This post echoed Taylor Marshall’s “Pachamama stunt,” where he funded the disposal of these figures into the Tiber, framing indigenous symbols as incompatible with Catholicism (Aquila Blog, 2023).
     • @pluant

       tweeted, “The Novus Ordo’s obsession with inculturation is just a cover for watering down the true Mass” (

       @pluant

       , June 1, 2025), dismissing cultural adaptations approved by the Church as inauthentic.
   • Analysis: These posts reflect a xenophobic rejection of liturgical diversity, ignoring the Church’s encouragement of inculturation (Sacrosanctum Concilium, 37-40). This stance aligns with a “white gaze” that privileges European aesthetics over global Catholic expressions.

Antisocial Commentaries and Lack of Obedience

Traditionalist discourse often exhibits antisocial tendencies, such as defiance of Church authority and a lack of charity toward those who differ. This is evident in:

• Taylor Marshall’s Disobedience: Marshall’s X posts frequently question Pope Francis’s legitimacy, calling him a “modernist” and promoting conspiracy theories about Vatican II (e.g., his book Infiltration, 2019). A 2023 post stated, “Francis is leading the Church into error with his modernist agenda” (

  @TaylorRMarshall

  , 2023), undermining papal authority and fostering division.
• Rorate Caeli’s Divisiveness: Their 2022 thread blaming Marshall’s Pachamama stunt for Traditionis Custodes criticized both Francis and traditionalists, yet failed to acknowledge their own role in promoting divisive rhetoric (

  @RorateCaeli

  , December 7, 2022).
• OnePeterFive’s Rigidity: Articles by contributors like Peter Kwasniewski argue that the Ordinary Form lacks the “sacrificial depth” of the Extraordinary Form, contradicting the Church’s teaching on their equal validity (OnePeterFive, 2024).
• @pluant

  ’s Arrogance: Posts like “Only the TLM preserves the faith; the Novus Ordo is a modernist invention” (

  @pluant

  , May 30, 2025) reflect a belief that traditionalists alone are correct, dismissing the broader Church as misguided.

These attitudes mirror the Pharisaical error of prioritizing ritual over charity and obedience (Matthew 23:23), potentially reflecting narcissistic grandiosity or neurotic fixation on perceived liturgical purity (APA, 2013).

Psychological Implications

The behaviors described—antisemitism, racism, xenophobia, and disobedience—may stem from psychological issues:

• Narcissism: The belief that traditionalists alone preserve “true” Catholicism suggests grandiosity and a lack of empathy for others’ faith expressions (APA, 2013).
• Neurosis: Anxiety over liturgical change or “modernism” may drive obsessive adherence to the Extraordinary Form, resembling scrupulosity (Freud, 1930).
• Adjustment Disorder: Resistance to Vatican II reforms may reflect difficulty adapting to change, leading to maladaptive behaviors like defiance or prejudice (APA, 2013).

These patterns are exacerbated by online echo chambers, where X accounts like

@RorateCaeli

and

@TaylorRMarshall

reinforce divisive narratives, amplifying biases and reducing exposure to diverse perspectives.

Conclusion

While Catholic traditionalism can be a valid expression of faith, its radical fringes exhibit racism, xenophobia, and antisemitism, as seen in X posts and content from

@RorateCaeli

,

@TaylorRMarshall

,

@OnePeterFive

, and

@pluant

. These attitudes, coupled with the erroneous “Novus Ordo” narrative and disobedience to Church authority, suggest psychological underpinnings like narcissism, neurosis, or adjustment disorders. The Church’s teaching affirms one Roman Rite with two expressions, both traditional, and calls for unity and charity. Addressing these issues requires pastoral care, psychological support, and a commitment to rooting out prejudice within traditionalist communities.

References

• American Psychiatric Association. (2013). Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5). Arlington, VA: APA.
• Benedict XVI. (2007). Summorum Pontificum. Vatican City.
• Catechism of the Catholic Church. (1994). Vatican City: Libreria Editrice Vaticana.
• Freud, S. (1930). Civilization and Its Discontents. Vienna: Internationaler Psychoanalytischer Verlag.
• Sacrosanctum Concilium. (1963). Vatican City: Second Vatican Council.
• Southern Poverty Law Center. (2007). Radical Traditional Catholicism.
• Anti-Defamation League. (2023). Antisemitism in Traditionalist Catholic Circles.
• Patheos. (2013). Traditionalists’ “Expert” on Pope Francis is a Holocaust Denier.
• Sojourners. (2019). The Webs Connecting Traditionalist Catholics and White Nationalists.
• Aquila Blog. (2023). Rorate Caeli, Taylor Marshall, Pachamama and Traditionis Custodes.
• Distinctions Matter. (2020). Taylor Marshall and Tim Gordon Slander E. Michael Jones.
• Tumblar House. (2019). 10 Problems in the Traditional Catholic Movement.
• Wikipedia. (2002). Traditionalist Catholicism.
• X Posts:

  @pluant

  , May 24-30, 2025;

  @RorateCaeli

  , 2020-2022;

  @TaylorRMarshall

  , 2019-2023;

  @OnePeterFive

  , 2024-2025.