It would not be shocking if this kicks up enough controversy that Pope Leo XIV reveals his hand earlier than he had anticipated.
In a move that is going to be heavily scrutinized as it develops, Bishop Michael Martin of the Catholic diocese of Charlotte has decided to finalize the implementation of Pope Francis’s restrictions on the the traditional Latin Mass. He is closing down several locations and allowing the celebration in a chapel in Mooresville.
His argument for doing so is that he is just obeying the rules and finalizing a process begun under his predecessor. Which makes perfect sense in a vacuum. But the fact is that many bishops in America seem to have been convinced that the problems these restrictions are meant to fix simply don’t exist in their dioceses. Also, given that the traditional liturgy of the church is now subject to papal football spiking, it may have been worth giving these existing communities a stay of execution until Pope Leo XIV weighs in on the issue.
This is a particularly painful enforcement because the diocese of Charlotte had several thriving communities built around the TLM. Charlotte is a fast-growing diocese as more and more Catholics move to the American South.
Someone has also leaked a series of “talking points” that came from the chancery office in the diocese of Charlotte. They end up coming across as extremely patronizing. To the point that this causes division in the church, the suggested response is that it’s sad some people will leave the church but in the long run it creates more unity. To the point that it may reduce vocations, it replies that anyone attracted primarily to the traditional rite was never a good candidate for the priesthood in the diocese anyway. To the point that it would demoralize people from giving, it suggests repentance.
The talking points are embarrassing. They primarily hurt the priests who have to counsel people grieving the effective death of their communities, and the coming deprivation of their patrimony in faith. Now all counsel will seem suspicious.
It would not be shocking if this kicks up enough controversy that Pope Leo XIV reveals his hand — his views on this matter — earlier than he had anticipated.