The Diocese of Charlotte, North Carolina will significantly restrict the practice of the Traditional Latin Mass, limiting it to a single chapel in what Bishop Michael Martin OFM Conv. said is a bid to “promote the concord and unity of the Church.”
Martin issued a statement on Friday announcing the new policy, directing that the ancient liturgy would henceforth be celebrated in an as-yet-unnamed chapel in the town of Mooresville.
Martin in his statement said the measure was meant to bring the Charlotte diocese in line with Pope Francis’ 2021 motu proprio Traditionis Custodes, which greatly restricted the Latin Mass “in defense of the unity of the Body of Christ.”
The pope said at the time that he was saddened that the celebration of the extraordinary form was characterized by a rejection of the Second Vatican Council and its liturgical reforms. To doubt the Council, he said, is “to doubt the Holy Spirit himself who guides the Church.”
Martin on Friday noted that his predecessor, Bishop Peter Jugis, requested an extension on the directive in order to prepare for the transition. The extension expires this year, Martin noted, and he is “now ready to finish the diocese’s implementation of the norms established.”
Starting on July 8, no parish churches will be permitted to celebrate the Traditional Latin Mass in the diocese, Martin said. In accordance with Traditionis Custodes, the bishop said he was “designating a chapel in the diocese” that will be permitted to use the Roman Missal of 1962 and where “faithful adherents may gather for the celebration of the Eucharist” only on Sundays and Holy Days of Obligation.
“A priest of the diocese will be appointed as chaplain, to be responsible for celebrating two Sunday Masses and Holy Day Masses using the 1962 Roman Missal at this site,” the bishop said.
“Those who are interested in participating in the Eucharistic celebration in this form will remain active members of their current parishes, where they may continue receiving the sacraments,” he added.
Citing the Gospel of John, Martin expressed hope that the new rule “will further ‘promote the concord and unity of the Church’ among the People of God in the Diocese of Charlotte so that, as Jesus prayed to His Father, we ‘may all be one’.”
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Bishop Martin do you not know that Francis is no longer with us??? Talking about unity and conformity, the Latin Mass DELIVERS ON THIS!! If he hopes to show that he is in dialogue with one or two Mass offerings to the Latin Mass ahearents, his largess is frankly parsonmonius!
Really? Has it escaped the Bishop’s notice that Frances is dead and we have a new Pope? It is not yet apparent that Pope Leo will follow in the footsteps of the late Pope and stamp out the Latin Mass. It might be smarter to sit this one out for a bit. Maybe it has also escaped his attention that the bulk of vocations and conversions have been coming from those with a conservative life perspective. That would be something to encourage I believe. Indeed an excess of enthusiasm for Post Vatican II ideas is largely why the convents and seminaries are empty. Note to the Bishop: If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.
The Mass prayed reverently and respectfully (albeit not in Latin) is available at Ordinariate churches. For both laity and the priest celebrating the Holy Sacrifice the prayer of the Mass is said facing ‘ad orientem.’ I’m afraid, however, that the Church will have to suffer along with Bergoglian-appointed bishops for awhile.
I recommend to the Catholics living in Charlotte who have a preference for the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass prayed in Latin to give NO CONTRIBUTION AT ALL to their parish, diocese and Peter’s Pence, CCHD, CRS, CCUSA, etc. Instead, write a check to a reputable Catholic missionary (and if you don’t know one, I’ll be glad to send you a priest’s name in Guatemala and his bank number to wire money to.)
To seminarians for the Diocese of Charlotte, I’d recommend you give serious consideration to transferring to an orthodox religious order like the Dominicans.
I live in a state where two archbishops in adjoining dioceses “allow” the TLM. I have FOUR beautiful, beautiful churches where I can attend, all in easy driving distance.
It is so cruel and unfair that by the mere chance of geography, Catholics are deprived of the Mass that for centuries every saint, every attendee at Vatican II, etc. went to as if it were something shameful.
Pope Leo has put two modernized “sisters” (one with a degree in psychology) in charge of ALL the orders of monks, brothers, priests, sisters and nuns of the whole planet. Not a good start. If he doesn’t do something about the irrational limiting of the TLM (while not limiting ANY other form, such as the Anglican or Dominican), then my “cautiously optimistic” will turn to something much sadder.
What will the Bishop say when there are crowds of people outside the Chapel who want to get in but can’t because there is no room, while there is PLENTY of room at a Novus Ordo Church?
This is beyond evil. Shame on him
Why now?
I am under the impression that Pope Leo was chosen in large part because he is seen as someone who will restore unity to the Church.
Get with the program, folks!
And he will restore unity to the church by forcing out the conservatives and trads. That was Francis’ idea, and Leo has pledged to advance Francis’ agenda right down the line.
I thought the same thing…why now? Maybe he’s new? Trying to establish himself? Any way it goes, Pope Leo needs to address this issue sooner than later.
My thought, too…why now? Is he new? trying to establish or assert himself? Pope Leo needs to do something about this sooner than later or things will only get worse. What’s wrong with providing both forms of the Mass? So much for unity. I
Here comes the Latin, here comes the Latin. There are no empty pews so why cling to the tried and true practices of past… Hint: watering down the brand can be a mistake.
I hear what other posters are thinking and saying, but…we’re not in Charlotte, and we don’t know what has prompted this. I know that some will assume that the Bishop just “hates the Latin Mass” or perhaps he’s just “on a power trip.”
But for all we know, this Latin Mass could be having some negative effect on Charlotte Catholics; e.g., it’s draining good and orthodox Novus Ordo parishes of members, volunteers, and monies, or even more serious, it’s “dividing the Church” into two camps who oppose each other rather than working together to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Division is dangerous for Catholics and may drive them away from “church” entirely.
It could also be driving less traditionally-minded Catholics into the Protestant non-denominational churches that have dynamic preaching (not necessarily deep or “correct” but at least it’s in American English!) and contemporary music, a lively and active youth group, great children’s ministries and clubs, and many opportunities for the members to serve God in various community charitable outreaches.
Just some thoughts, and since I’m not in Charlotte, I could be way wrong about all of them. But I still don’t think we should try to draw conclusions until we know “the full story” from those who live there and know “the rest of the story.”
Mrs. Whitlock – my comment disappeared so I am trying again – apologies if it is duplicated. But I DO know people there. It is a vibrant community and has been for a long time. None of what you say is true.
1) TLM homilies ARE in ENGLISH – just saying otherwise makes the rest of your “speculations” suspect.
2) I go to a Novus Ordo church mostly, but my TLM church has all kinds of clubs, ministries, charitable outreach, and a vibrant youth group.
3) Absolutely NO ONE is being “driven” to a Protestant church because a TLM mass exists, as there are FAR FAR more Novus Ordo churches EVERYWHERE. Why on earth would you say that?
4) Contemporary music is a sticking point. My kids and their friends specifically said they felt “patronized” by having to listen watered down 70s elevator music and pop tunes. They can hear that everywhere, day and night, but the only chance to hear the HUGE variety of beauty handed down through the ages, from medieval chant to Renaissance to Baroque to modern, from Palestrina and de Victoria to the 20th century and Messiaen and more, has been at a TLM.
I am sorry, but these “speculations” are disingenuous.
Protestants don’t have the Eucharist, so if current CINO don’t believe and want more entertainment let them leave (and I’m not judging them in the least) It’s not surprising considering the surveys on what Catholics actually believe. In spirit, they may have already left the church.
There’s also a cease and desist in Detroit: Archdiocese of Detroit: Parishes must cease Traditional Latin Mass celebrations by July 1
Will there be any faith when He returns?
Mrs. Sharon, I have such great respect for your always reasonable presence on these CWR comment pages.
But I feel obliged to remind you that we are talking about the Catholic Mass here.
This is the same Mass that Pope Leo celebrated in Rome upon his election as pope.
The same Mass that’s been said for nearly two thousand years.
Ask yourself: Who could possibly be in favor of suppressing the Catholic Mass?
Answering that question will give you some insight into the spirit that animated the Bergoglian papacy.
Oh, please…if he had more to say, he’d have said it. He explained himself and that’s all he’s going to say and all we need to know.
This makes perfect sense.
An untimely bishop invokes a deceased pope as he suppresses the Catholic Mass.
The Bergoglian legacy is here to stay.
This difference of wanting the Latin mass and leaving the true everlasting church of all ages, the Mystical Body of Christ, to offer up and labor in the eternal Church to build her up, or to leave Christ’s body to join those who CONDEMN and SLANDER the true church and are not in unity with Holy Church. We are called to gather and labor in the Church, not to scatter, and the Holy Spirit flees, YOU ARE NOT TO CONDEMN THE CHURCH AND YOUR BROTHERS, you lack all charity. There is one Christ and one Church now and forever. Do they want the mass in Latin or separate themselves, accepting all the lies there, “only the priest can touch the holy host but you munch it and eat it all up (That is not touching it?). Thank you Lord, you gave us a holy Pope and we will have unity because you are a merciful GOD! Without love you will not enter the Kingdom!
The pope said at the time that he was saddened that the celebration of the extraordinary form was characterized by a rejection of the Second Vatican Council and its liturgical reforms. To doubt the Council, he said, is “to doubt the Holy Spirit himself who guides the Church.”
Aside from the blasphemous premise, the charge was and is unsubstantiated. Bergoglio claimed to have surveyed the bishops, but never released the results, almost certainly because he didn’t find the sort of widespread episcopal opposition he was looking for.