B. A. Santamaria - Traditionalism in The Catholic Church

Traditionalism in The Catholic Church

Santamaria also bitterly opposed what he saw as liberal and non-traditional trends in the Catholic Church following the Second Vatican Council (which he had sought to attend as an independent observer), and founded a magazine through his Thomas More Centre, called A.D. 2000, to argue for traditionalist views. He welcomed Pope John Paul II's return to conservatism in many areas.The conservative Archbishop of Melbourne, George Pell, a staunch supporter and admirer of Santamaria, delivered the panegyric at his funeral, which was held at St. Patrick's Cathedral, Melbourne. He died of an inoperable brain tumour aged 82 at Caritas Christi Hospice, Kew.

On his death Santamaria was praised by conservatives for his opposition to communism, but also by some on the left (such as veteran left-wing Labor ex-Cabinet Minister Clyde Cameron) and by social democrats (such as former Governor-General Bill Hayden) for his consistent critique of unrestricted capitalism.