# Ad Orientem (to the East): Why There is a Controversy

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/explaining-the-faith-with-fr-chris-alar-1384651/ad-orientem-to-the-east-why-there-is-a-controversy
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/explaining-the-faith-with-fr-chris-alar-1384651/ad-orientem-to-the-east-why-there-is-a-controversy.md
Podcast: [Explaining the Faith with Fr. Chris Alar](https://stenobird.com/podcast/explaining-the-faith-with-fr-chris-alar-1384651)
Published: 2026-06-15T15:30:38+00:00
Episode link: https://share.transistor.fm/s/55934072
Audio file: https://media.transistor.fm/55934072/8999bef7.mp3
Processing state: not_requested
JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/explaining-the-faith-with-fr-chris-alar-1384651/episodes/ad-orientem-to-the-east-why-there-is-a-controversy
Duration seconds: 4502

## Resource

In Traditionis Custodes Pope Francis implemented restrictions on the Extraordinary Form of the Mass. But did that apply to the Novus Ordo Mass celebrated Ad Orientem? Is this allowed, and if so, is permission needed? What is more traditional, the priest facing toward, or away from, the people? What are the reasons this priestly posture should or should not be done? Hear Fr. Chris Alar explain this in detail and tell why it has been so controversial.

## Actions

- request_transcript: `POST https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/explaining-the-faith-with-fr-chris-alar-1384651/episodes/ad-orientem-to-the-east-why-there-is-a-controversy/transcription-requests` — Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode.
- read_markdown: `GET https://stenobird.com/podcast/explaining-the-faith-with-fr-chris-alar-1384651/ad-orientem-to-the-east-why-there-is-a-controversy.md` — Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource.

A page view does not enqueue transcription. Agents should invoke `request_transcript` explicitly when they need this episode processed.

## Transcript

Full transcripts are not published on public pages unless there is a clear rights basis.