Vatican extends exemption for Traditional Latin Mass in Texas

In addition to worldwide restrictions on the Traditional Latin Mass, there are also some exceptions, as the Texan diocese of San Angelo shows. According to the US media, the Vatican has extended an existing exception for the parish of St Margaret of Scotland for a further two years. Bishop Michael Sis had already applied for this in February and permission was granted on 28 May, as was announced on Wednesday.

In this context, the bishop explained that he had submitted the application for an extension to the Vatican "in a spirit of complete openness". According to him, the grant is based on the "ongoing efforts to promote the full appreciation and acceptance of liturgical books". Sis, who was previously a member of the Committee for the Doctrine of the Faith of the US Conference of Catholic Bishops, also emphasised that he trusts the judgement of the Pope and his colleagues in the authorities of the Roman Curia.

Restrictions caused debate

The background to the applications is the letter "Traditionis custodes" published by Pope Francis in 2021. In it, the Argentinian Pope reversed the liberalisation of the celebration of the pre-conciliar liturgy introduced by his predecessor Benedict XVI.

Francis thus imposed new and, above all, stricter conditions, which were subsequently tightened by the responsible Vatican liturgical dicastery under Cardinal Arthur Roche. These restrictions caused debate and polarisation around the world. It is still unclear how Pope Leo XIV views the liturgy issue. (KNA)