UPDATE 14 Feb 2023:
For the sake of fairness and clarity.
The Diocese of Winona-Rochester issued a “Statement on the Traditional Latin Mass in the Diocese” – HERE
TEXT:
Statement on the Traditional Latin Mass in the Diocese
This morning, a blogger unrelated to the Diocese of Winona-Rochester posted an inaccurate comment about the future of the usus antiquior (i.e., the “Traditional Latin Mass”) in the diocese. Bishop Robert Barron, in his pastoral concern for all the faithful of his Diocese, including those with a special attachment to the Traditional Latin Mass, has no intention of eliminating the celebration of the Mass in this form in the Diocese of Winona-Rochester. Rather, in seeking to follow the Church’s laws more faithfully, the Diocese is currently in the process of discerning appropriate “locations where the faithful adherents of these groups may gather for the eucharistic celebration” which, as per the Vatican document Traditiones Custodes, are to be places other than parish churches. Every effort is being made to find sacred spaces for this purpose which suitably reflect the beauty and dignity of the liturgy.
Moreover, there is more to be said about Bp. Barron and his gesture toward the SSPX.
This is fascinating.
As the priest wrote to me (below):
Barron also granted the SSPX permission to celebrate mass and sacraments in the same chapel, and assigned the priest responsible for the traditional community with the task of ensuring good relations with the SSPX.
ORIGINALLY Published on: Feb 13, 2023 at 10:29
I had first posted about this based on the tweets of a distraught parishioner, clearly upset that the parish is losing the Vetus Ordo.
I just received an email from a priest with additional information.
As someone who is aware of Bishop Barron’s decision, the Mass was not canceled. It was moved from a parish where it was being celebrated on a table to a college chapel where there is a high altar and altar railing. This is the chapel where high masses in the diocese are usually celebrated, and the request to move the Mass came at the request of the priest responsible (Fr. Patrick Arens) for the community as a way of ensuring their stability and also closeness to the young people at the college who support the Mass.
[NB!!!] Barron also granted the SSPX permission to celebrate mass and sacraments in the same chapel, and assigned the priest responsible for the traditional community with the task of ensuring good relations with the SSPX.
Attached is a photo of the most recent Mass in the college chapel.
I was rather sharp in my original post about what Bp. Barron did. I feel keenly the pain that people have over their access to the Vetus Ordo, in the wake of the unnecessarily cruel Traditionis custodes. I know that the people of that parish will still be disappointed and I won’t patronize them by saying that, “It could have been worse.” All of this is so unnecessary and, as others far more versed in law think, unlawful.
What is important is that as many people as possible frequent the Masses at that chapel and that they conduct themselves with prudence and decorum. It is also important in an ongoing way for them to pray for their bishop.
Again and again we see bishops who know little or nothing about the Vetus Ordo making all manner of decisions about it. That seems imprudent and unjust. I maintain, moreover, that a priest of the Roman Catholic Church doesn’t really know his Rite until he has learned the Vetus Ordo. It stands to reason.
I hope Bp. Barron will take the time to learn how to celebrate the Vetus Ordo in the manner of a priest, even though his way of saying Mass would now be changed due to his episcopal character. One thing many bishops don’t know is that the higher the ecclesial dignity of the one celebrating, the easier it is to be the celebrant. More on that elsewhere.
UPDATE:
Another person sent…
I went to college at Winona State University and know the area well. For more clarification, the place +Barron moved the TLM is at Our Lady of the Angels chapel at Cotter High School. At least, the photo you posted is in that chapel. So, it’s not a college (though, waaay back in the day I do believe it might have been a women’s college, but don’t quote me on that).
The chapel, for the record, is stunningly gorgeous.
Last night I didn’t schedule a formal ZedNet (ham radio net through analog and digital modes), but I wrote that I would have my handsets on in case someone “showed up”. Three people did. We used different modes and they sort of worked. One fellow, however, transmitted with DMR (and we could all hear) and listened on Echolink.
