A new quasi-parish for Catholics interested in the Traditional Latin Mass will open in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia at a church that had been part of a 2014 parish merger.
“In response to a growing interest, it has become timely to provide additional pastoral care for those wishing to participate in Divine Worship in the Extraordinary Form,” Archbishop Charles J. Chaput’s March 14 decree said.
A quasi-parish is the equivalent of a parish under canon law, with some exceptions. It can later become a parish at the discretion of the local bishop. The new quasi-parish will be located at the site of the former Saint Mary Parish in Conshohocken, a suburban Philadelphia borough in Montgomery County. About 8,000 people live in the borough, which is about one square mile in area.
The Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter will provide the clergy for the new quasi-parish.
“While it remains to be seen if this community will flourish so as to become a parish, the establishment of a quasi-parish to provide this spiritual care appears to be most fitting at this time,” Archbishop Chaput’s decree continued.
The archbishop made his decision after consulting with local pastors, local priests who celebrate the Extraordinary Form of the Mass, and the archdiocese’s Council of Priests. The Philadelphia archdiocese announced the planned creation of the quasi-parish on April 8.
The decree becomes effective Aug. 1. A pastor will be appointed before that date.
The Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter exclusively celebrates the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite, sometimes known as the traditional or Tridentine Latin Mass. It was founded in 1988 as a clerical society of apostolic life, then formally erected as an institute of pontifical right by the Holy See.
In contrast to some other priestly groups celebrating the extraordinary form of the Roman Rite, the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter was established with support from the Vatican, and is in full and ordinary communion with the Pope.
Full story at Catholic News Agency.
Too bad the article doesn’t show the church. It’s beautiful. Yay!
That is fine for those who favor Mass in Latin. I would be interested in knowing if the parish is financially self-sufficient, including wages for the priests and maintenance/renovation of the Church.
Why is it your concern ? Saving souls and pointing them in the direction that lead them to Heaven is the concern and it appears the FSSP is doing a pretty good job on the economic side also. I havent heard of any FSSP locations closing.
Very good news. Thank you Archbishop Chaput ! Despite 5 years of Papa Francisco the Traditional Mass still exists. It is generous that the Archbishop donates an unused Church for the FSSP. In LA the FSSP had to purchase a Church for the Latin Mass. Brave too, for the likely outcome is that Archbishop Chaput will not make it to Cardinal until after Pope Francisco retires. Bishop Chaput has never offered a Mass in Latin himself but is a pastor bonum.
The Traditional Latin Mass is beautiful and inspiring.
I attended one FSSP Mass and had to listen to accolades to Paul VI and JPII, I won’t go back.
And what is it exactly that bothers you so much about listening about the Saints?
If they are Saints then I am the Pope!
John Paul II has been declared a saint. Most would claim the cloak of infallibility for that declaration. Paul VI is not yet declared a saint but that may change soon.
My experience was similar to Ron’s. At a recent TLM I attended, during his homily the FSSP priest made disrespectful comments about Pope Francis and said Pope Benedict XVI would most likely be declared a saint shortly after his death due to his promulgation of Summorum Pontificum. When I greeted the priest after Mass and reminded him of Pope Benedict XVI’s role in the sex abuse scandals, he dismissed me and told me to leave.
Drop a line to the ordinary.
Good, but hurry up. With Pope Francis using his papal hammer to attack Traditional orders, he appears to be increasing his intent of isolating the TLM to a museum piece.
Every parish needs to return to the TLM, instead of the polyglot Novus Ordo. (Those that travel much and attend masses in other diocese know about this).
God bless Bishop Chaput. He seems to balance justice with compassion quite well — tolerant but without being too permissive..