Roche’s gamble — and the Vatican law of power

In the implementation of 'Traditionis custodes,' Cardinal Arthur Roche has been criticized for an approach that seemed to arrogate authority to his office, beyond the motu proprio's text.

In the years since Pope Francis promulgated Traditionis custodes, it has fallen to Cardinal Arthur Roche, prefect of the Vatican’s liturgy office, to interpret the pope’s policy, and to engage with the diocesan bishops tasked with implementing the policy in their local churches.

As the Dicastery for Divine Worship oversees that process, Roche has been cr…