Pope Francis' Traditional Latin Mass restrictions: Has your diocese responded yet?

Denver Newsroom, Jul 23, 2021 / 13:00 pm

Catholic clergy and lay people around the world continue to react passionately to newly imposed restrictions on the use of the Traditional Latin Mass, two weeks after Pope Francis released his controversial apostolic letter Traditionis Custodes.

In his motu proprio issued July 16, the pope recognized the “exclusive competence” of bishops to authorize or refuse the Latin Mass in their respective dioceses, and he directed bishops to ensure that groups dedicated to the “extraordinary form” do not deny the validity of Vatican II and its liturgical reforms. The pope also declared that Traditional Latin Masses can no longer be offered at “parochial churches,” and he ordered that readings must be in the vernacular.

Expressly aimed at unifying the Church, the document has sparked weeks of fractious commentary.

Several prominent Church leaders, as well as numerous conservative commentators such as author George Weigel, have been pointed in their criticism of the surprise announcement. In a July 21 essay published in First Things, Weigel called the motu proprio "theologically incoherent, pastorally divisive, unnecessary, cruel—and a sorry example of the liberal bullying that has become all too familiar in Rome recently."

Meanwhile, Fr. Thomas Reese, in a July 20 column for Religion News Service, said the document was part of Pope Francis’ effort to “separate the pious faithful with traditional devotion to the old liturgy from the ideologues who reject the reforms of the [Second Vatican] council.”

To date, some U.S. bishops have still not issued public statements on their plans to implement the pope’s new rules.

Most of the bishops who have issued statements have chosen temporarily to allow the Traditional Latin Mass to continue in their dioceses while they review the document, while others have restricted Latin Masses in certain parish churches. Some bishops have issued canonical dispensations for particular parish churches, allowing the Traditional Latin Mass to continue at those locations despite the document's restrictions on the Latin Mass at "parochial churches."

Below is a state-by-state list of episcopal statements on the state of the Traditional Latin Mass in their respective dioceses, as of July 30: 

Alabama 

Archdiocese of Mobile: The archdiocese told CNA: “Archbishop Thomas Rodi will be meeting with priests at previously scheduled deanery meetings before a final decision is made.” Until then, the Traditional Latin Mass will still be celebrated.

Diocese of Birmingham: Three parishes within the diocese are given permission to continue celebrating the Traditional Latin Mass: Our Lady Help of Christians Parish in Huntsville, Blessed Sacrament in Birmingham, Christ the King Chapel in Cullman (Simcoe). A dispensation was granted from art. 3 § 2 for the parish church of Blessed Sacrament in Birmingham.

Other priests who possess faculties to offer the Traditional Latin Mass should request authorization to continue to do so. They may celebrate “non-scheduled, non-publicized, non-public Masses in a sacred place with the explicit permission of the Diocesan Bishop or his delegate; this includes all visiting priests to the diocese.”

Alaska

Archdiocese of Anchorage-Juneau: N/A

Diocese of Fairbanks: N/A

Arizona

Diocese of Phoenix: Bishop Thomas Olmsted decreed that the Traditional Latin Mass may be celebrated in chapels, oratories, mission churches, or non-parochial churches, and dispensed seven parishes from the location restrictions of Art. 3, § 2 of Traditionis custodes. He also allowed the Extraordinary Form of the liturgy to continue at the personal parish of Mater Misericordiae.

Diocese of Tucson: Bishop Edward Weisenberger said “I do not envision any changes” to the celebration of the Traditional Latin Mass at Saint Gianna Oratory in Tucson.

Arkansas 

Diocese of Little Rock: Celebration of the Traditional Latin Mass has ceased at “regular parish churches.” Two parishes administered by the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter will not be affected.

California

Archdiocese of Los Angeles: N/A
Archdiocese of San Francisco: Priests already celebrating the Traditional Latin Mass may continue to do so.

Diocese of Oakland: Priests already celebrating the Traditional Latin Mass may continue to do so.

Diocese of Sacramento: N/A

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Diocese of Fresno: N/A

Diocese of San Bernardino: Bishop Alberto Rojas issued a canonical dispensation from Art. 3, § 2 of Traditionis custodes for two parishes in the diocese, allowing celebration of the Latin Mass according to the 1962 Missal to continue at those churches; priests seeking to celebrate the Traditional Latin Mass at those churches must seek faculties to do so.

Diocese of San Diego: N/A

Diocese of San Jose: N/A

Diocese of Santa Rosa: The diocese told CNA that while Bishop Vasa may have communicated to his priests, he has not yet, as other bishops have, written a general 'guidance' letter regarding the Motu Proprio. 

Diocese of Stockton: N/A

Diocese of Orange: After polling priests who celebrate the Latin Mass, the Bishop decided the four locations in the diocese which currently offer it are permitted to continue. 

Diocese of Monterey: N/A

Colorado

Archdiocese of Denver: Priests already celebrating the Traditional Latin Mass may continue to do so. 

Diocese of Colorado Springs: N/A

Diocese of Pueblo: N/A

Connecticut

Archdiocese of Hartford: N/A

Diocese of Bridgeport: Priests wishing to celebrate the Traditional Latin Mass - including in private - must write Bishop Frank Caggiano for permission to continue. Bishop Caggiano has promised to grant temporary faculties for at least private Masses.

Diocese of Norwich: N/A

Delaware

Diocese of Wilmington: N/A

Florida

Archdiocese of Miami: N/A

Diocese of Orlando: N/A

Diocese of Palm Beach: N/A

Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee: N/A

Diocese of St. Augustine: N/A

Diocese of St. Petersburg: N/A

Diocese of Venice: N/A

Georgia

Archdiocese of Atlanta: “The Masses celebrated according the Roman Missal edited by Saint John XXIII in 1962 are not suppressed in the Archdiocese of Atlanta, particularly at Saint Francis of Sales in Mableton, serve by the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter (FSSP).” Other priests not in the Fraternity are to request permission if they wish to offer the Latin Mass.

Diocese of Savannah: Priests already celebrating the Traditional Latin Mass may continue to do so. 

Hawaii

Diocese of Honolulu: N/A 

Idaho

Diocese of Boise: N/A

Illinois

Archdiocese of Chicago: Cardinal Blase Cupich stated that "current practices with regard to the 1962 Missal remain in place" in the archdiocese.

Diocese of Belleville: N/A

Diocese of Joliet: N/A

Diocese of Peoria: N/A

Diocese of Rockford: Priests already celebrating the Traditional Latin Mass may continue to do so. 

Diocese of Springfield: Bishop Thomas Paprocki issued a canonical dispensation from Art. 3, § 2 of Traditionis custodes for two parishes in the diocese, allowing celebration of the Latin Mass according to the 1962 Missal to continue at those churches.

Indiana

Archdiocese of Indianapolis: Holy Rosary Catholic Church reported on its website that the chancery “assured” the parish “nothing is changing” regarding the celebration of the Traditional Latin Mass there. 

Diocese of Evansville: N/A

Diocese of Fort Wayne-South Bend: N/A

Diocese of Gary: N/A

Diocese of Lafayette: According to Mater Dolorosa Latin Mass Community of the Lafayette diocese, Bishop Douglas Deshotel said that “in the interim,” celebrations of the Latin Mass may continue as they are currently scheduled.

Iowa

Archdiocese of Dubuque: Archbishop Michael Jackels said that at Immaculate Conception parish in Cedar Rapids, where the Extraordinary Form is offered, “efforts will be made, guided by the new norm, to provide for those folks.”

Diocese of Davenport: N/A

Diocese of Des Moines: St. Anthony parish in Des Moines reported that a regularly scheduled Sunday Latin Mass will continue, with permission from Bishop William Joensen.

Diocese of Sioux City: “The faithful attending the Latin Mass at the Cathedral of the Epiphany in Sioux City will not experience a change in worship for the time being due to the July 16 announcement from the Vatican.”

Kansas

Archdiocese of Kansas City: Archbishop Joseph Naumann has permitted traditional liturgies to “continue without interruption” at two locations, St. John Vianney Latin Mass Community in Maple Hill and St. Rose Philippine Duchesne Parish in Mission Woods. The Traditional Latin Mass is not permitted to be regularly scheduled for Sundays and Holy Days at other parish churches, and any proposals to celebrate it require discussion with Naumann or his delegate “well in advance.” Other priests of the archdiocese who “at times” wish to celebrate the Traditional Latin Mass “may continue to do so for the present,” but must contact the archbishop by Oct. 1, 2021 for continued permission. 

Diocese of Dodge City: N/A

Diocese of Salina: N/A 

Diocese of Wichita: Bishop Carl Kemme allowed celebration of the Traditional Latin Mass to “continue indefinitely” at four locations where it has regularly been offered: St. Joseph Parish in Wichita, Pius X Student Center in Pittsburg, Blessed Sacrament parish in Wichita, and St. Mary’s parish in Newton. He issued a canonical dispensation from Art. 3, § 2 of the motu proprio. All priests wishing to celebrate Mass in the Extraordinary Form must write for faculties to do so.

Kentucky

Archdiocese of Louisville: N/A

Diocese of Covington: N/A

Diocese of Lexington: Bishop John Stowe, OFM Conv. is permitting the Regina Pacis Latin Mass community to continue celebrating the Mass, however, “the Regina Pacis community will be consolidated at St. Francis de Sales and no longer offer a Sunday Mass at St. Peter’s in downtown Lexington.”

Diocese of Owensboro: N/A

Louisiana

Archdiocese of New Orleans: Priests already celebrating the Traditional Latin Mass may continue to do so. 

Diocese of Alexandria: N/A

Diocese of Baton Rouge: St. Agnes Catholic Church, the only parish in the diocese with a scheduled Latin Mass, has been allowed by Bishop Michael Duca to continue offering Mass according the 1962 Missal. 

Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux: N/A

Diocese of Lafayette: N/A

Diocese of Shreveport: N/A

Diocese of Lake Charles: Priests already celebrating the Traditional Latin Mass may continue to do so. 

Maine

Diocese of Portland: St. Gregory the Great Latin Mass Chaplaincy in the Portland diocese said that Bishop Deeley intends to make no changes in the diocese. Masses will continue as scheduled, pending any further decisions by the Bishop.

Maryland

Archdiocese of Baltimore: Priests already celebrating the Traditional Latin Mass may continue to do so. 

Massachusetts

Archdiocese of Boston: Priests already celebrating the Traditional Latin Mass may continue to do so.  

Diocese of Fall River: Bishop Edgar M. da Cunha said “the Mass already approved and celebrated regularly at St. Francis Xavier Church in Hyannis will continue to be offered.” Further guidelines and clarifications will be issued in the near future.

Diocese of Springfield: N/A

Diocese of Worcester: Bishop Robert Joseph McManus said that “in the weeks ahead,” he would meet with priests celebrating the Extraordinary Form with his “permission,” to discuss implementation of Traditionis custodes.

Michigan

Archdiocese of Detroit: Priests already celebrating the Traditional Latin Mass may continue to do so.  

Diocese of Gaylord: Bishop Walter Hurley said, “The motu proprio will require some changes in the way we have functioned,” and said he asked priests for assistance in implementing it, with “further guidance” to come on “the use of the ‘extraordinary form’.”

Diocese of Grand Rapids: Priests already celebrating the Traditional Latin Mass may continue to do so. 

Diocese of Kalamazoo: Priests already celebrating the Traditional Latin Mass may continue to do so. 

Diocese of Lansing: N/A

Diocese of Marquette: N/A

Diocese of Saginaw: According to the bulletin of the Cathedral of Mary of the Assumption, Bishop Robert Gruss has granted permission to several diocesan priests to continue celebrating the Latin Mass as he studies Traditiones custodes. The liturgy has been celebrated at Holy Family Church in Saginaw, with priests offering the Latin Mass on a rotating basis.

Minnesota

Archdiocese of St. Paul-Minneapolis: Priests already celebrating the Traditional Latin Mass may continue to do so, conditional on writing to the bishop for permission.

Diocese of Bismarck: N/A

Diocese of Crookston: N/A

Diocese of Duluth: Celebration of the Traditional Mass may continue at St. Benedict’s parish in Duluth; authorization for other parishes offering the Traditional Mass will be examined on a case-by-case basis.

Diocese of New Ulm: N/A

Diocese of Saint Cloud: N/A

Diocese of Winona-Rochester: There are no immediate stated changes and Bishop John Quinn said he will study the document more until he makes a final decision.

Mississippi

Diocese of Biloxi: Bishop Louis Kinheman granted a canonical dispensation from Art. 3, § 2 of the motu proprio for all parishes in the diocese that previously celebrated the Traditional Latin Mass. Priests who previously offered Mass according to the 1962 Missal may continue to do so.

Diocese of Jackson: N/A

Missouri

Archdiocese of St. Louis: N/A

Diocese of Jefferson City: Bishop Shawn McKnight temporarily has granted Father Dylan Schrader, pastor of St. Brendan Parish in Mexico, Missouri the necessary faculty to continue using the Missale Romanum of 1962. He is working with Father Schrader to designate and establish the places and times at which the “Old Latin Mass” may be celebrated in other parts of the diocese throughout the year, usually on significant feast days.

Diocese of Kansas City-St. Joseph: N/A

Diocese of Springfield-Cape Girardeau: Priests already celebrating the Traditional Latin Mass may continue to do so.

Montana

Diocese of Great Falls-Billings: N/A

Diocese of Helena: N/A

Nebraska

Archdiocese of Omaha: Priests already celebrating the Traditional Latin Mass may continue to do so. 

Diocese of Grand Island: N/A

Diocese of Lincoln: Priests already celebrating the Traditional Latin Mass may continue to do so.  

Nevada

Diocese of Las Vegas: N/A

Diocese of Reno: N/A

New Hampshire

Diocese of Manchester: N/A

New Jersey

Archdiocese of Newark: N/A

Diocese of Camden: N/A

Diocese of Metuchen: N/A

Diocese of Paterson: N/A

Diocese of Trenton: Bishop David O’Connell authorized use of Mass according to the 1962 Missal at five parishes, with a sixth permitted to offer the Traditional Latin Mass on First Fridays of every other month.

New Mexico

Archdiocese of Santa Fe: N/A

Diocese of Gallup: N/A

Diocese of Las Cruces: N/A

New York

Archdiocese of New York: N/A

Diocese of Albany: Bishop Edward Scharfenberger welcomed “input” from members of the diocese on implementation of Traditionis custodes.

Diocese of Brooklyn: N/A

Diocese of Buffalo: Priests already celebrating the Traditional Latin Mass may temporarily continue to do so. 

Diocese of Ogdensburg: N/A

Diocese of Rochester: Bishop Salvatore Matano said that any priest “in good standing” may continue celebrating the Traditional Latin Mass with “strict adherence” to the norms set forth in the motu proprio. Priests must request authorization from the Bishop within 15 “useful days” of the memorandum.

Diocese of Rockville Centre: N/A

Diocese of Syracuse: N/A

North Carolina 

Diocese of Charlotte: Priests already celebrating the Traditional Latin Mass may temporarily continue to do so. 

Diocese of Raleigh: Bishop Luis Rafael Zarama said he “will prayerfully study” the motu proprio with priests and diocesan staff “before making any long-term changes or provisions regarding the celebration of the extraordinary form in the Diocese of Raleigh.”

North Dakota 

Diocese of Bismarck: Bishop David Kagan said the Traditional Latin Mass will be celebrated at the Oratory of St. Clement, Haymarsh, North Dakota, “as this is not a parish Church (Art. 3 §2).” He said the Oratory may celebrate the Latin Mass every Sunday but must choose a time before 12 noon.

Diocese of Fargo: N/A

Ohio

Archdiocese of Cincinnati: Old St. Mary’s church and Sacred Heart church in Cincinnati, as well as Holy Family church in Dayton and to-be-determined location in the north of the archdiocese, have been designated as sites for celebration of the Traditional Latin Mass. For other celebrations of Mass according to the 1962 Missal, priests must obtain permission and offer non-scheduled and non-publicized Mass at a “sacred” or “decent” place.

No public Latin masses are allowed to be offered at any parochial churches, which includes Holy Trinity Catholic church in Batavia.  “As of now, the daily Traditional Latin Mass has been cancelled,” the pastor wrote.

Diocese of Cleveland:  Priests already celebrating the Traditional Latin Mass may continue to do so.

Diocese of Columbus: The diocese confirmed that, as of right now, the “Oratory of St. Leo in Columbus under the pastoral care of the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest” is celebrating the Latin Mass. Bishop Robert Brennan said he looks forward to “meeting with the priests who offer the Latin Mass in a spirit of fraternal charity to assess the needs here in the Diocese of Columbus and the implementation of Traditionis Custodes.”

Diocese of Steubenville: N/A

Diocese of Toledo: Bishop Daniel Thomas granted a canonical dispensation from Art. 3, § 2 of the motu proprio for St. Joseph parish in Toledo, allowing the celebration of Mass according to the 1962 Missal to continue there. Other priests already celebrating the Latin Mass should request permission from him, including the location, reason for celebrating, and proposed frequency of Masses.

Diocese of Youngstown: N/A

Oklahoma 

Archdiocese of Oklahoma City:  Priests already celebrating the Traditional Latin Mass may continue to do so.  

Diocese of Tulsa: No immediate changes.

Oregon

Archdiocese of Portland: Priests already celebrating the Traditional Latin Mass may continue to do so.  

Diocese of Baker: N/A

Pennsylvania

Archdiocese of Philadelphia: Priests already celebrating the Traditional Latin Mass may continue to do so.  

Diocese of Allentown: N/A

Diocese of Altoona-Johnstown: No immediate changes. Bishop Mark Bartchak said he will consult with the diocese’s presbyteral council and deans, and that priests “who have been celebrating the Sacred Liturgy of the Mass according to the 1962 Roman Missal will be involved in the consultation.” Following the consultation, “any practical changes” will be announced.

Diocese of Erie: N/A

Diocese of Greensburg: N/A

Diocese of Harrisburg: Priests already celebrating the Traditional Latin Mass may continue to do so. 

Diocese of Pittsburgh: Most Precious Blood Parish may continue celebrating the Traditional Latin Mass. Other parishes in the diocese have halted their Latin Mass celebrations and are in consultation with Bishop David Zubik. 

Diocese of Scranton: Traditional Latin Masses at St. Michael the Archangel parish in Scranton, administered by the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter (FSSP), may continue. Diocesan priests who have offered Mass according to the 1962 Missal must request permission to continue doing so.

Rhode Island

Diocese of Providence: Priests already celebrating the Traditional Latin Mass may continue to do so. 

South Carolina

Diocese of Charleston: Priests already celebrating the Traditional Latin Mass may continue to do so temporarily, but must ask permission of the Bishop Guglielmone. Priests must indicate the specific occasions and times that the extraordinary form is currently celebrated in their parish.

South Dakota

Diocese of Sioux Falls: N/A

Diocese of Rapid City: N/A

Tennessee

Diocese of Knoxville: Bishop Richard Stika granted a temporary canonical dispensation from Art. 3, § 2 of Traditionis custodes for parishes already offering the Traditional Latin Mass. 

Diocese of Memphis: Bishop David Talley issued a dispensation for Blessed Sacrament parish and St. Therese Little Flower parish so they may continue to celebrate Latin Mass with the 1962 Roman Missal. Fr. Yoelvis Gonzalez, pastor of both parishes, may celebrate the Masses. No other churches in the diocese were given permission for the Traditional Latin Mass, and other priests ordained before July 16 who wish to celebrate the liturgy must request permission.

Diocese of Nashville: N/A

Texas

Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston: Cardinal Daniel DiNardo stated, “For the time being, the celebration of Holy Mass according to the Roman Missal of 1962 may continue within the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston.”

Archdiocese of San Antonio: N/A

Diocese of Amarillo: N/A

Diocese of Austin: Fr. Daniel Liu, rector of St. Mary Cathedral in Austin Texas, posted on the Facebook page St. Joseph Latin Mass Society (SJLMS) that Bishop Joe Vásquez of Austin allowed his parish to continue offering the Extraordinary Form of the Mass as he considers Traditionis custodes. The society told CNA that Bishop Vasquez has allowed the extraordinaryl form to continue throughout the whole diocese.

Diocese of Beaumont: N/A

Diocese of Brownsville: Priests already celebrating the Traditional Latin Mass may continue to do so. 

Diocese of Corpus Christi: N/A

Diocese of Dallas: N/A

Diocese of El Paso: The FSSP community at Immaculate Conception Church said that Bishop Mark Seitz has reached out and assured the parish of his support. “He does not foresee anything changing as a consequence of this document.”

Diocese of Fort Worth: Bishop Michael Olson authorized the Traditional Latin Mass to continue at Saint Benedict Parish in Fort Worth, administered by the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter (FSSP). The parish pastor Fr. Karl Pikus, FSSP, is also serving as Bishop Olson’s delegate for other Catholics in the diocese requesting the sacraments in the extraordinary form; Catholics making those requests must have a letter of permission from their pastor.

Diocese of Laredo: N/A

Diocese of Lubbock: N/A 

Diocese of San Angelo: Bishop Michael Sis issued a canonical dispensation from Art. 3, § 2 of Traditionis Custodes for St. Margaret of Scotland Catholic Church in San Angelo, allowing celebration of the Latin Mass according to the 1962 Missal to continue there “due to the lack of suitable alternative locations for these Masses”.

Diocese of Tyler: While Bishop Joseph Strickland is studying the motu proprio, he is asking priests in the diocese to “make an assessment” of their Latin Mass communities and make recommendations on implementing Traditiones Custodes. “I am not ready to issue permanent norms for the diocese at this time,” he wrote.

Diocese of Victoria: N/A

Utah

Diocese of Salt Lake City: St. Mary’s in Park City said that on July 20th, Bishop Oscar Solis granted Fr. Gray temporary permission to continue celebrating the Traditional Latin Mass, “until the bishop has had the opportunity to prayerfully reflect and study the matter more.”

Vermont

Diocese of Burlington: N/A

Virginia

Diocese of Arlington:  Priests already celebrating the Traditional Latin Mass may continue to do so. 

Diocese of Richmond: N/A

Virgin Islands

Diocese of St. Thomas: N/A

Washington

Archdiocese of Seattle: N/A

Diocese of Spokane: N/A

Diocese of Yakima: N/A

Washington D.C. 

Archdiocese of Washington: Priests already celebrating the Traditional Latin Mass may continue to do so. 

Archdiocese of the Military Services: Priests already celebrating the Traditional Latin Mass may continue to do so. 

West Virginia

Diocese of Wheeling-Charleston: Priests already celebrating the Traditional Latin Mass may continue to do so. 

Wisconsin

Archdiocese of Milwaukee: Priests already celebrating the Traditional Latin Mass may continue to do so. 

Diocese of Green Bay: Bishop David Ricken sent a letter to priests and pastoral leaders, but the diocese said “because the letter was meant for priests and pastoral leaders, we are not going to be sharing it publicly.”

Diocese of La Crosse: N/A

Diocese of Madison: Bishop Donald Hying said that priests wishing to offer the Traditional Latin Mass could “presume” his authorization now.

Diocese of Superior: N/A

Wyoming

Diocese of Cheyenne: N/A

CNA would like to keep this list updated. If you have new information, please contact us at catholicna@catholicna.com