What’s with the bishops of Kentucky?
Remember. It is always about the people who want the traditional Mass.
DIOCESE OF OWENSBORO
McRaith Catholic Center I
Office of the Bishop
Rev. David Kennedy
Immaculate Conception Parish
‘112 S. Day Street
Earlington, KY 42410
Dear Fr. Kennedy, Thank you for the opportunity to discuss the celebration of the Mass according to the Roman Missal of 1962. I have reviewed my correspondence with the Holy See from 2023 where it was indicated: If after this period of time, you wish to renew the permission you will need to send us a further relatio along with your request. This relatio should contain details of the number of participants at these Masses and it should recount the steps which have been taken to lead the faithful who are attached to the antecedent liturgy towards the celebration of the liturgy according to the liturgical books reformed by decree of the Second Vatican Council and which form the unique expression [Which is only held by the liturgically and historically ignorant.] of the lex orandi of the Roman Rite – As I am unable to demonstrate that this condition has been met, [fetch towels] I have no standing [fetch a basin] to request an extension of the Holy See’s instruction, and I am directing you to not celebrate the Mass according to the Roman Missal of 1962 after June 30, 2026. [In private? Just him?]
I know [PROOF? Gratis asseritur gratis negatur.] that in some dioceses the faithful who have shown a preference for the Mass celebrated in Latin have accepted the Novus Ordo Mass celebrated in the Latin language. I trust that between now and July 1, 2026, you can obtain the appropriate Missal of Paul VI in Latin. [Put your money where your mouth is and buy it for them and then come and say it yourself… if you can pronounced three words in Latin in order.] I will grant the singular permission[“permission” is only needed where the bishop is tantamount to a bully] to offer this Mass ad orientem. [So… you permit him to follow the rubrics in the Latin Missal? How generous.]
As we discussed I have permitted nearly a year to pass beyond reception of this consent from the Holy See. I did this in recognition of the death of Pope Francis. I allowed the continuation of the traditional Latin Mass after the election of Pope Leo XIV to see if he would reconsider the matter of the Mass offered in parish churches. After more than a year, and the January Consistory of the College of Cardinals in which they specifically chose not to review Traditionis custodes [fetch a pitcher of water] I feel obligated as bishop to act in accord with the direction of the Holy See. [pour the water over my hands]
For the faithful who may object to this directive you may certainly refer them to me, but please make clear that I am acting in accord with my promise to the Pope, the Bishop of Rome. [towel, please] I am grateful for your ministry to this small and unique community. And I assure you of my prayers for them [I’m sure they believe that] and for you and I kindly ask that you all pray for me.
Sincerely in Christ,
Most Reverend William F. Medley
Bishop of Owensboro
Oh, just say the Novus Ordo in Latin.
It’s enough to make even the partially informed weep with frustration.
Usquequo, Domine?
They. Still. Don’t. Get. It.
I do have concern that with the upcoming consecrations of Bishops with the SXPX. Many ignorant bishops will use this as an opportunity to crack down on the traditional form and every one of them will claim to do it out of “obedience.”
“We have to keep all of those disobedient radtrads under control. Out of an example of my obedience i am going to rip out altar rails, forbid ad ad orientum, cancel latin, hang rainbow flags and mandate the singing of ‘all our welcome’ at every Mass. Oh yes, and require at least 12 Extraordinary Ministers at every Mass. Because of obedience”
Our parish has been blessed with a Traditional Latin Mass for the last ten years, but the last will be on the 28th of this month with the retirement of our pastor. I’ve read about this problem in other dioceses and the pain it causes, but I could only fully appreciate the hurt and disappointment when it became our turn. Although our new pastor has been trained to offer the TLM our Bishop refuses to request a dispensation to allow it to continue, despite numerous pleas from our retiring pastor, detailed letters from parishioners, and a petition from the people. Requests for the Bishop to attend one of our TLMs or to even just meet with the TLM attendees have been ignored. He apparently has no interest in even trying to understand our devotion to the TLM. Instead, we also received a letter filled with the standard platitudes and an empty suggestion to replace the TLM with a Novus Ordo in Latin. As if that were the issue. Or we could leave our parish and attend the TLM at the only permitted location which is at the other end of our Diocese. Where is the mercy and charity?
After having suffered through the ordeal of “the spirit of Vatican II” back in the day, and subsequently had a career in software development, I will here attempt to optimize my use of the available bandwidth. Here’s my response to the Bishop: wolf in shepherd’s clothing.
Remember, the bishops can steal whatever they want from the laity. That’s their affair.
However, we do not need permission from them to
* pray in Latin
* celebrate Holy Days on the Holy Days
* remain orthodox in belief
* teach our children properly
and perhaps most importantly
* We do not need the bishops’ permission to pray for their improvement!
We ought to. They need it. Christ told us to.
Conan said the what is best in life is to “crush your enemies and see them driven before you…”
Tempting.
But Christ says it is better to turn your enemies over to Him until they become His.
“Remember, the bishops can steal whatever they want from the laity. That’s their affair.”
I beg to disagree.
What is the surprise? Did you think they were going to stop? Did you think they were going to relent? Doesn’t it occur to anyone that this is a lot bigger than an internal difference of theological opinion between factions in the Church? That maybe the anti-Christs of the world are pulling the strings of the men they put in place in the hierarchy to finally destroy the Catholic Church from the inside, and Archbishop Sheen’s prescient comment about the ape of the Church is being implemented right before our eyes?
Someone pointed out when they excommunicate SSPX for consecrating bishops, they will be essentially excommunicating the Apostolic Faith from the Church.
What ‘medley’ of motives are likely to be in play in such cases? E.g., in how far may a sort of ‘ghettoization’ or quasi-Pharaonic driving priests and (nearly-)whole parishes to an imagined ‘wilderness’ to join FSSPX be among them?
And what, if any, stewardly recourse against diocesan rapine where parish churches, furnishings, finances are concerned, in such cases?
Many a schola chanted on Dominica IV. post Pentecosten “qui tribulant me inimici mei, infirmati sunt et ceciderunt” – what allegoresis of this is most appropriate in these circumstances?
Meanwhile, punning Owensboro etymologists may be tempted via Old French roots to quote Rosalind: “you’ll be rotten ere you be half ripe, and that’s the right virtue of a medlar.”