[vc_row][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]If you haven’t been made aware, there is an update on the situation in our diocese regarding the implementation of Traditionis Custodes, the motu proprio of Pope Francis targeting the Latin Mass for eventual elimination.
The only information made public so far is that we can expect an eventual reduction or consolidation of Traditional Latin Masses in the Diocese of Cleveland. The number 3 is being thrown around, that is, a reduction of the 10 parishes currently offering regularly scheduled Latin Masses down to 3 parishes. It is important to note, that, unlike reports on social media indicating a decision has been made by Bishop Malesic to roll back the TLM to 3 parishes, there is no decision on the issue as of right now, at the time of this posting. The priests who offer the TLM here in Cleveland are to come up with some sort of proposal for the bishop to be delivered to him around Easter of 2022. In all likelihood, we shouldn’t expect a decision right then and there. It will probably take some time after that proposal to arrive at a decision. But let there be no doubt that the intention right now is to reduce the number of places where the Latin Mass is celebrated.
Fr. Doug Brown, the appointed diocesan liaison for the Traditional Latin Mass, provided the following timeline to publish:
December will be the time for making accurate Mass counts of all of the Latin Masses in the Diocese of Cleveland. In January, the priests will meet to talk about the process for deciding which parishes will continue to offer the TLM. I would anticipate that in February the faithful would be invited to participate in this process in some way. Final recommendations (of which there may be none) will be submitted to the Bishop sometime after Easter.
The diocese is looking at attendance at Latin Masses. Heads will be counted at all Latin Masses during the month of December. And this isn’t just for Sunday Masses; daily Masses are included.
At this point, please do not write or call the bishop or the diocese. Many, many letters were sent to him before on this matter. There’s no doubt that we exist and that we love our Latin Masses, our Latin Mass priests and the parishes that offer it.
The Faithful may be able to give some input into the process sometime in February.
Finally, as Fr. Brown noted, it may be that no recommendations are made by the priests. In this case, the bishop would just decide on his own.
To re-cap: there is no decision right now to roll back the TLM to 3 parishes; it’s simply an example recommendation; the priests who say the TLM are tasked with arriving at a recommendation to give the bishop around Easter; that recommendation can be anything; heads will be counted at all TLM’s in December; the faithful may be involved in the process sometime in February; at this time, do not write or call the diocese.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][vc_column width=”1/3″][/vc_column][/vc_row]
The only way Catholics have any chance of stopping this diabolical effort (to reduce the number of TLM churches/masses) is for all Catholics to hold back giving money, no matter what form of mass you attend. Furthermore, anyone seeking to continue following the true faith should begin looking into the FSSPX church in Richfield, Ohio, because the Vatican has every intention of killing The Latin Mass within the churches it controls now. Following this Vatican 3 synod that is currently in progress, the Catholic faith will likely resemble something less than a storefront evangelical faith, so prepare yourselves for some disgraceful changes in the months ahead.
Rick, the SSPX probably should have built the church down there in Richfield a little bigger. If you know what I mean.
I second Rick Downing’s suggestion about stopping donations to the diocese. Talk to all your friends (Latin Mass and non-Latin Mass attendees and urge them to support us in this situation. Hit them (the diocese) in the pocketbook seems to be the only thing they will listen to.
Pray and ask our Lady for assistance in this matter. God bless.
It doesn’t make sense to limit donations now, before TLM is pulled from the diocese, if anything increase donations now if you go to the TLM. Stop donations if the TLM are reduced.
Rather than give cash, write a check stating specifically (on the check) what those funds can be used for… only for that church, not the diocese.
The church in Richfield is where I began to fall in love with the TLM even though Mass was offered in a cafeteria. So powerful. I thank God for my SSPX friend for inviting me to Mass for the Feast of The Sacred Heart of Jesus. The Holy Spirit was truly working through her.