In illo tempore! Um estudo sobre o tradicionalismo católico, opiniões, motivações e a adesão de fiéis católicos

Abstract

This research studies traditionalist Catholics, faithful who opt for a spirituality with traits and particularities of an old Catholicism, rejecting, to some extent, the updates proposed by the Second Vatican Council in the 1960s. One of the main characteristics of the traditionalists we studied is their preference for the Latin Mass. For the study, along with the literature review, we conducted internet mapping and field visits, outlining the history and characteristics of traditionalist groups operating in Brazil. We also developed a questionnaire that collected 217 responses from these faithful, which were fundamental to understanding how they think religiously and politically, and how they justify their adherence to this type of spirituality. The work identified themes of convergence and divergence among the faithful of different traditionalist movements operating within the national territory, demonstrating that it is not a homogeneous current, sometimes sharing common opinions, sometimes distancing themselves, with positions ranging from moderate to radical. Regarding motivations, the faithful say they prefer the Latin Mass to avoid poorly celebrated new Masses, also because of the aesthetics of the old Mass, to escape the so-called "crisis in the Church," or simply to totally reject the new Mass.