Bishop Michael Martin, 63, of of Charlotte, North Carolina, received a May letter from the four pastors of the parishes where the remaining Roman Masses are celebrated. This was prior to the bishop's decree eliminating the Roman Masses, effective July 8. The letter was published in full today by the Charlotte Latin Mass Community on Facebook and is reproduced below.
The pastors express serious concern that Bishop Martin’s implementation of Traditionis Custodes exceeds the document’s actual requirements. They specifically object to:
- The decision not to request an extension of permissions from the Holy See,
- The decision to permit only a single designated site, and
- The failure to establish a dedicated Latin Mass community for the faithful.
The priests highlight that other dioceses have taken a more pastoral approach, allowing multiple sites and forming stable communities. They also note that even Cardinal Roche, a principal architect of Traditionis Custodes, recently affirmed the legitimacy of young people’s desire for the Traditional Latin Mass.
May 27, 2025, Feast of St. Augustine of Canterbury
Dear Bishop Martin,
We offer our sincere prayers that this letter finds you in good health and spirits.
We, the priests entrusted with the pastoral care of those attending the Traditional Latin Mass in four of our parishes within the Diocese of Charlotte, respectfully write to request a reconsideration of the planned steps concerning the implementation of Traditionis Custodes (TC).
The presence of the Traditional Latin Mass in our diocesan parishes dates back to the period following Pope Benedict XVI’s motu proprio Summorum Pontificum in 2007. The late pontiff reaffirmed the legitimacy of the faithful’s desire for access to the traditional liturgy, echoing what Pope Saint John Paul II, in 1988, termed “legitimate desires” for the Latin Mass. This motu proprio was undoubtedly part of his broader initiative to promote the hermeneutic of continuity within the life of the Church. Pope Benedict XVI believed that both liturgical forms could coexist peacefully within the Church and even within the same parish. Such has indeed been the case in our parishes since its implementation. Our parishes have experienced harmony with all parishioners, regardless the liturgy, being spiritually nourished.
It is important to acknowledge that those attached to the traditional liturgy have, over the past five decades, often felt marginalized and discriminated against. Consequently, their trust in Church leadership has, understandably, been weakened over time. A significant aspect of our ministry involves reconciliation and accompaniment for those who have felt unwelcome. We fear a reversal in policy will negatively impact the good will built up over the years.
A primary concern according to TC is the assertion that the presence of the traditional liturgy in parochial settings leads to division within the Church. We can affirm with confidence that this has not been the experience in our parishes.
The planned removal of the Latin Mass from four parishes, affecting over 1,000 parishioners, is a matter of considerable consequence. To remove Catholics with “legitimate desires” from their own parishes is, we believe, a deeply painful action.
We understand you are endeavoring to implement the Holy Father's will as expressed in TC. However, we respectfully submit that the current plan appears to exceed the specific requirements of TC in at least three areas:
The decision not to request an extension of permissions from the Holy See.
The decision to allow for only one designated site.
The decision not to establish a Latin Mass community for the faithful.
We believe it is crucial to consider not only the letter of TC but also how the Holy See has chosen to implement the document in the broader Church. Other dioceses have been granted extensions, others offer multiple Mass sites, and others have established Latin Mass communities.
Even Cardinal Roche, considered the primary architect of TC, in an interview on March 7, 2025 reaffirmed that young people who desire attending the Latin Mass remain faithful members of the Church: “Of course, it is good that people want to be part of the Church, and there is no reason why they cannot. There is nothing wrong with attending the Mass celebrated with the 1962 missal. That has been accepted since the time of Pope St John Paul II, Pope Benedict and now Pope Francis.”
Given that the faithful possess “legitimate desires” for the traditional Mass and sacraments, and given the pastoral leniency demonstrated by the Holy See in its implementation, we respectfully question any perceived need to interpret the document in the strictest possible manner or exceed its written requirements.
Therefore, we respectfully request that you reconsider the plans for the Traditional Latin Mass in the Diocese of Charlotte. We ask that the implementation not surpass the strict requirements of TC. We further request that you become more acquainted with our Latin Mass communities, to better understand their desires, challenges, and pastoral needs. We are confident that you will recognize in these parishioners faithful sons and daughters of the Church who simply wish to live in peace with access to the traditional liturgy in their own parishes. Having listened to the pastors and their parishioners, we trust you will be confident in the legitimacy of requesting an extension from the Holy See. Should the Holy See deny such a request, we would hope to provide for the needs of these faithful to the best of our ability.
With utmost respect, we humbly ask for your reconsideration.
[signatures of the Four Pastors]
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