After Pressure: Bishop of Charlotte Postpones Latin Mass Restrictions

Bishop Martin of Charlotte, North Carolina, has paused his restrictions on the Roman Rite. The diocesan newspaper CatholicNewsHerald.com announced on 3 June that the measures will now take effect on 2 October rather than 8 July.

"It made sense to start these changes in July, when dozens of our priests will be moving to new parishes and taking up other assignments," said Bishop Martin. "That said, I want to listen to the concerns of these parishioners and their priests, and I am willing to give them more time to absorb these changes," he added.

Bishop Martin accepted a request from the four affected parish priests that he wait until the Vatican's deadline of 2 October to implement the changes.

The most interesting phrase in the diocesan newspaper article is: "In the interim, should the Vatican issue any official changes to Traditionis Custodes, the diocese will abide by those instructions."

In recent days, Bishop Martin has faced significant online backlash, including the resurfacing of stories from his time as a parish priest, such as his decision to declare “unisex toilets” against the wishes of the congregation.

In 2023, the previous bishop, Monsignor Peter Jugis, ended the Roman Mass at five of the diocese’s parishes with smaller congregations. Four larger congregations survived: at St Ann's and St Thomas Aquinas in Charlotte, St John the Baptist in Tryon, and Our Lady of Grace in Greensboro. The Vatican's extension for these four parishes expires on 2 October.

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