Vatican renews permission for celebration of Traditional Latin Mass in the Diocese of Arlington in accordance with Traditionis Custodes

On July 29, 2022, Bishop Michael F. Burbidge released guidelines for the Diocese of Arlington in response to Traditionis Custodes. You can find the original statement and guidelines here.

Since the publication of Traditionis Custodes, Bishop Burbidge has consistently emphasized two points. First, the Diocese of Arlington will be obedient to the Holy Father's directives, working toward unity in our use of liturgical rites. Second, the diocesan instruction related to Traditionis Custodes would be sensitive to those who attend the Traditional Latin Mass (TLM). This has been evidenced by Bishop Burbidge's original 2022 request for dispensation from Traditionis Custodes to the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments. Consequently, three parishes were granted permission to continue celebration of the Traditional Latin Mass in their parish churches for a term of two years. These parish church locations were named in addition to five non-parish church locations approved by the Bishop.

Several months ago, in anticipation of the expiration of the original permission, Bishop Burbidge petitioned the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments for a two-year extension of the permission to celebrate the TLM. The diocese recently received word that the request has been granted. The parish churches to which this permission applies are Saint Rita Catholic Church, Saint John the Beloved Catholic Church, and Saint Anthony of Padua Mission Church. The TLM will also continue to be celebrated at the previously approved five non-parish locations.

In its response, the Dicastery commended the diocese for how well it has implemented Traditionis Custodes, and on the diocese's continued commitment to help those persons and groups attached to this form to worshipping according to the current Missale Romanum. The Dicastery suggested that once a month, in place of one of the Masses usually celebrated in the usus antiquior, Mass be celebrated in Latin using the Missale Romanum of 2008. Bishop Burbidge has accepted this proposal, which will solely pertain to the three parish churches listed above.

Bishop Burbidge expresses gratitude to pastors and priests for faithfully supporting diocesan policy and offering pastoral accompaniment, in union with the Holy Father, to the faithful who have a great devotion for the Traditional Latin Mass.