Cardinal Goh by Archcomms / Wikimedia Commons (Left), Pope Leo XVI by Catholic Church England and Wales / Flickr (Right)
Cardinal William Goh of Singapore has voiced strong support for the continued celebration of the Tridentine Mass, urging against discrimination toward those who find spiritual nourishment in the traditional liturgy. His comments come amid renewed attention to liturgical unity following the election of Pope Leo XIV.
“Personally, I believe there is no reason to stop people who prefer the Tridentine Mass,” Cardinal Goh told The Daily Compass in a post-conclave interview. Although he does not celebrate the Latin Mass himself, he recognized a vibrant group of mostly young professionals in Singapore who are drawn to its reverence and beauty.
“Why should I stop them?” he asked. “They do not reject Vatican II and therefore should not be discriminated against.”
Cardinal Goh’s comments stand out at a time when some dioceses have restricted traditional liturgies in response to the late Pope Francis’ 2021 motu proprio Traditionis Custodes.
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He emphasized that permitting such expressions of worship is not about resisting Church teaching but embracing liturgical diversity within unity, noting the traditional rite’s longevity and the existence of other rites within the Church.
Cardinal Goh also offered a candid assessment of other challenges facing the new pope and the expectations many hold for his leadership.
“I think Pope Leo XIV is exactly the Pope the world needs right now,” Cardinal Goh said.
Reflecting on the previous pontificate, he acknowledged Pope Francis’ efforts to evangelize the marginalized and promote the missionary nature of the Church. Still, he noted a downside: “His teachings appeared ambiguous in his attempt to reach everyone in terms of doctrine and morality.”
This perceived lack of clarity, the cardinal said, contributed to divisions across the Church, particularly on hot-button issues such as marriage and gender ideology.
“If we are not clear about what the Church teaches, it is very difficult to work together in unity,” he told The Daily Compass. He described how confusion led to members of the faithful quoting the pope to justify conflicting views, complicating the Church’s call to authentic inclusion.
“Being truly inclusive means saying: ‘yes, we understand you are struggling. That you cannot live the Gospel. We will help you; we will walk with you. It may take time. We will help you fall in love with Jesus slowly. One day, perhaps, you will come to understand,’” Cardinal Goh said.
The cardinal voiced optimism that Pope Leo XIV, drawing from his Augustinian roots and experience in both Latin America and the Roman Curia, will offer the doctrinal steadiness needed.
“He seems to me to be a man who is aware that when a pope makes comments, they are taken seriously,” the cardinal observed. “He will not be ambiguous and will not leave the interpretation of his words open to individual interpretation.”
Cardinal Goh concluded, “I want to vote for a Pope who is truly inspired by the Holy Spirit. Someone who can unite the world and walk in truth and love. I believe Leo XIV is the right man for the job.”
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