CNA Deutsch, May 23, 2025 / 11:55 am (CNA).
In an interview with the Daily Compass portal on Thursday, Cardinal William Goh, the archbishop of Singapore, said he hopes for greater doctrinal clarity from Pope Leo XIV.
“If we are not clear about what the Church teaches, it is very difficult to work together in unity. Although both the so-called ‘left’ and ‘right’ of the Church are interested in promoting the mission of evangelization, there has been an internal division on certain issues such as marriage, LGBTQ+ rights, and transgender rights. These issues have divided the Church because, at a certain point, it became unclear what is right.”
The cardinal said that as an Augustinian, Pope Leo has “a solid foundation in the tradition and spirituality of St. Augustine.”
“At the same time,” Goh, who was made a cardinal by Pope Francis in 2022, said that Pope Leo “has worked in Peru and is familiar with situations of poverty and suffering. He also spent several years in Rome and is therefore familiar with the challenges facing the Curia. Having been prior general of his order, he has already demonstrated his leadership qualities. In his first public appearances, he was sober and cautious in what he said and did.”
He continued: “He seems to me to be a man who is aware that a pope’s statements are taken seriously, which is why he is cautious and prudent. This is to be welcomed because it means people won’t be confused. I believe he will be able to clarify doctrine and prevent the ‘left’ and the ‘right’ from fighting each other. He will not be ambiguous and will not leave the interpretation of his words open to individual interpretation.”
According to the website, Goh said about Pope Francis: “I believe that the least pleasant aspect of his pontificate was that his teachings appeared ambiguous in his attempt to reach everyone in terms of doctrine and morality.”
Goh also addressed the issue of the traditional liturgy.
“I personally believe there is no reason to discourage people who prefer the Tridentine Mass,” the cardinal said. “They are not doing anything wrong or sinful. Of course, the unity of the Church must be preserved, but we already have different rites, such as the Syro-Malabar rite. We can accept different forms of celebrating the Eucharist, so we should not suppress those who prefer the Tridentine rite.”
Ultimately, he said, “it is not the rite or the form of celebration that matters” but rather “whether one encounters God deeply.”
Goh said he does not celebrate in the traditional form, “but I’m not against those who celebrate it. In my country, there’s a small group of about 300 people, mostly young professionals. Sometimes I ask them, ‘Why do you prefer this celebration?’ They reply that they find it more thoughtful and contemplative and that it brings them closer to God. Why should I discourage them?”
He continued: “If they reject the teachings of the Second Vatican Council, that would of course be a completely different matter, and they should be disciplined. But they don’t, and therefore I don’t think we should discriminate against them. After all, this is the Mass that has been celebrated for hundreds of years, isn’t it?”
This story was first published by CNA Deutsch, CNA’s German-language news partner, and has been translated and adapted by CNA.
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We read: “The cardinal said that as an Augustinian, Pope Leo has ‘a solid foundation in the tradition and spirituality of St. Augustine’.” From St. Augustine–as with individuals and now with parts of the Church itself, the double life:
“…it is no monstrous thing partly to will a thing and partly not to will it, but a sickness of the mind [!]. Although it is supported by truth, it does not wholly rise up, since it is heavily encumbered by habit. Therefore there are two wills, since one of them is not complete, and what is lacking in one of them is present in the other” (Confessions, Bk. 8, Ch. 9:21).
Deeper than the misnomers of “left”and “right.”
The use of the terms “left” and “right”, while sometimes used as political terms cannot be used when the reference point is the fact that God, The Most Holy And Undivided Blessed Trinity, In The Unity Of The Holy Ghost, The Perfect Divine Eternal Love Between The Father And His Only Begotten Son, Who Proceeds From Both The Father And His Only Begotten Son, Is The Author Of Love, Of Life, And Of Marriage. To deny that The Blessed Trinity Is The Author Of Love, Of Life, And Of Marriage, is apostasy.
Christ’s Teaching on the Sanctity of all human life from the moment of conception to the moment of death, and the Sanctity of the marital act within The Sacrament of Holy Matrimony, and thus sexual morality, is not up for debate.
Perfect Divine Eternal Love does not divide, it multiplies, as in The Miracle Of The Loaves and Fishes.
We read: “The cardinal said that as an Augustinian, Pope Leo has ‘a solid foundation in the tradition and spirituality of St. Augustine’.”
From St. Augustine, about the double life and individuals and now parts of the Church as a whole, both:
“…it is no monstrous thing partly to will a thing and partly not to will it, but a sickness of the mind [!]. Although it is supported by truth, it does not wholly rise up, since it is heavily encumbered by habit. Therefore there are two wills, since one of them is not complete, and what is lacking in one of them is present in the other” (Confessions, Bk. 8, Ch. 9:21).
Deeper than the political misnomers of “left” or “right.”
Years ago, in 1995, we attended a Mass in London. It was in English but very bland. Like a grade school play. We then attended a Mass in Germany. It was in Latin or German and we could understand the clarity of the complete Mass. I had been raised in USA serving as an Alter Boy in the Latin Mass, so I understood it and enjoyed it. I think I would still prefer the Latin Mass.