World News

Paul Waddington reports on Latin Mass developments around the Globe

The Archbishop of Glasgow, Most Reverend William Nolan, announced in April that as from 1 May this year, Latin Masses will no longer be celebrated at the Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in Balornock, which is a housing estate on the northern fringes of Glasgow.

The parish priest, Fr Mark Morris, has done a great deal to promote the Latin Mass over many years in one of the most socially deprived areas of Glasgow. In 2019, the Immaculate Heart Church hosted a Pontifical High Mass celebrated by Cardinal Raymond Burke.

Latin Masses continue in the Archdiocese at St Brigid’s Church in Toryglen at 9.30am on Sundays. Toryglen is a housing estate on the southern fringes of Glasgow, which, like Balornock, has many high-rise tenements developed in the 1960s.

The statement issued by Archbishop Nolan states that the authorities in Rome gave permission for the 1962 Latin Mass to be celebrated in the Archdiocese solely at St Brigid’s in Toryglen. This would imply that, in accordance with the Rescriptum of February, Archbishop Nolan applied to Rome for permission to continue Latin Masses at both churches, but that it was given for only one location.

The Archbishop thanked Fr Morris for the care he had shown over the years for the Latin Mass community at Immaculate Heart of Mary, and acknowledged that many would be disappointed that they will have to travel to another parish.

United States

On 1 May, the Bishop of Las Vegas, Most Rev Leo Thomas, wrote to the Latin Mass Community in his diocese stressing the value that he places on maintaining access to the Traditional Latin Mass. Latin Masses were being offered in the diocese on Sundays at the Parish Church of St Bridget in Las Vegas.

Rather than seek approval for the continuation of Latin Masses at St Bridget’s Church, as would be required by the Rescriptum of Cardinal Roche, Bishop Thomas decided to transfer all Latin Masses to the Shrine Church of the Most Holy Redeemer. In his letter the Bishop wrote:

“Out of my desire to provide for this ministry, while remaining faithful to the Holy See, I believe that this change will provide other benefits, including the ability to provide the Sacrament of Reconciliation prior to each Mass and the opportunity to provide nonSunday Masses, such as the Holy Week Triduum and moveable feasts. There is also the possibility of celebrating other Sacraments (including First Communions, Weddings and Funerals) at one location.”

Also in the USA, the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest (ICKSP) has acquired a former Franciscan Friary at Burlington in the Archdiocese of Milwaukee. The Institute intend to use their new property, which has 70 bedrooms, several function rooms and a chapel capable of seating 300, as a retreat centre.

The property, which is to be dedicated to the Sacred Heart, is set in 100 acres of parkland, and so is particularly suited for youth camps and outdoor activities.

It was bought with the support of the Most Reverend Jerome Listecki, Archbishop of Milwaukee.

France

On Whit Sunday, the Bishop of Chartres, Mons Philippe Christory, joined the pilgrims on the final section of their walk from Paris to Chartres, and led them in prayer. Wearing his soutane with purple fascia, he joined the pilgrimage at the point where the pilgrimage crossed into the Chartres Diocese.

For more on this, see pages 8-9.