Prominent U.K. figures in the arts, business, journalism, and politics have appealed to the Vatican not to impose new restrictions on the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite, also known as the Traditional Latin Mass, echoing Agatha Christie and others in the 1970s which led to the Agatha Christie Indult.

In a letter to the Times of London, published July 3, more than 40 signatories, Catholic and non-Catholic  — including “Downton Abbey” creator Julian Fellowes, human rights activist Bianca Jagger, and opera singer Kiri Te Kanawa — lamented “worrying reports from Rome that the Latin Mass is to be banished from nearly every Catholic church:”

Latin Mass at risk

Sir, On July 6, 1971, The Times printed an appeal to Pope Paul VI in defence of the Latin Mass signed by Catholic and non-Catholic artists and writers, including Agatha Christie, Graham Greene and Yehudi Menuhin. This became known as the “Agatha Christie letter”, because it was reportedly her name that prompted the Pope to issue an indult, or permission, for celebration of the Latin Mass in England and Wales. The letter argued that “the rite in question, in its magnificent Latin text, has also inspired priceless achievements … by poets, philosophers, musicians, architects, painters and sculptors in all countries and epochs. Thus, it belongs to universal culture.”

Recently there have been worrying reports from Rome that the Latin Mass is to be banished from nearly every Catholic church. This is a painful and confusing prospect, especially for the growing number of young Catholics whose faith has been nurtured by it. The traditional liturgy is a “cathedral” of text and gesture, developing as those venerable buildings did over many centuries. Not everyone appreciates its value and that is fine; but to destroy it seems an unnecessary and insensitive act in a world where history can all too easily slip away forgotten. The old rite’s ability to encourage silence and contemplation is a treasure not easily replicated, and, when gone, impossible to reconstruct. This appeal, like its predecessor, is “entirely ecumenical and non-political”. The signatories include Catholics and non-Catholics, believers and non-believers. We implore the Holy See to reconsider any further restriction of access to this magnificent spiritual and cultural heritage.
Robert Agostinelli; Lord Alton of Liverpool; Lord Bailey of Paddington; Lord Bamford; Lord Berkeley of Knighton; Sophie Bevan; Ian Bostridge; Nina Campbell; Meghan Cassidy; Sir Nicholas Coleridge; Dame Imogen Cooper; Lord Fellowes of West Stafford; Sir Rocco Forte; Lady Antonia Fraser; Martin Fuller; Lady Getty; John Gilhooly; Dame Jane Glover; Michael Gove; Susan Hampshire; Lord Hesketh; Tom Holland; Sir Stephen Hough; Tristram Hunt; Steven Isserlis; Bianca Jagger; Igor Levit; Lord Lloyd-Webber; Julian Lloyd Webber; Dame Felicity Lott; Sir James MacMillan; Princess Michael of Kent; Baroness Monckton of Dallington Forest; Lord Moore of Etchingham; Fraser Nelson; Alex Polizzi; Mishka Rushdie Momen; Sir András Schiff; Lord Skidelsky; Lord Smith of Finsbury; Sir Paul Smith; Rory Stewart; Lord Stirrup; Dame Kiri Te Kanawa; Dame Mitsuko Uchida; Ryan Wigglesworth; AN Wilson; Adam Zamoyski

The Agatha Christie Indult refers to a special permission granted by Pope Paul VI in 1971, allowing the continued celebration of the Tridentine Mass (the traditional Latin Mass) in England and Wales despite the widespread adoption of the new Mass promulgated after the Second Vatican Council. This indult is named after the famous British mystery writer Agatha Christie, who, alongside other notable cultural figures, signed a petition requesting the preservation of the traditional Latin liturgy.

Background

After the Second Vatican Council, the Catholic Church introduced a new form of the Mass, known as the Novus Ordo Missae, which was to be celebrated in the vernacular languages instead of Latin. This led to the phasing out of the traditional Latin Mass, causing dismay among many faithful who cherished its ancient rites.

The Petition

In 1971, a petition was presented to Pope Paul VI by a group of prominent individuals, including artists, writers, intellectuals, and clergy, expressing their desire to preserve the Tridentine Mass. Among the signatories were Agatha Christie, Graham Greene, and other distinguished figures who were not necessarily Catholic but appreciated the cultural and historical significance of the Latin Mass. Their appeal highlighted the Mass’s role in Western cultural heritage and its aesthetic and spiritual value.

The Indult

Moved by the petition, Pope Paul VI granted an indult permitting the continued use of the Tridentine Mass in England and Wales. This permission was significant as it allowed the faithful to continue participating in the traditional liturgy, preserving an important aspect of the Catholic Church’s liturgical heritage.

Impact and Legacy

The Agatha Christie Indult is seen as an early step towards the broader recognition of the traditional Latin Mass within the Catholic Church. It prefigured later developments, such as Pope John Paul II’s indults in the 1980s and Pope Benedict XVI’s 2007 motu proprio Summorum Pontificum, which allowed for wider celebration of the Tridentine Mass across the globe.

Conclusion

The Agatha Christie Indult serves as a testament to the enduring significance of the Tridentine Mass and the successful advocacy by a diverse group of cultural figures. It underscores the intersection of faith, culture, and heritage, reflecting a collective effort to preserve an ancient liturgical tradition for future generations.