A reader sends us the report of the ceremony of the Dedication of a diocesan Church for the exclusive use of the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite in Sarasota, Florida (Diocese of Venice). Congratulations to Bishop Dewane for his obedience to the Pope in the matter of the motu proprio Summorum Pontificum (quite rare in the dioceses of Florida, particularly, as is publicly known, in the large neighboring Diocese of Saint Petersburg), as well as to the persistent Traditional Catholic community in Sarasota.
On April 19, 2009 Bishop Frank J. Dewane of the Diocese of Venice in Florida Dedicated Christ the King Church in Sarasota, the first church in Florida which will administer the Sacraments exclusively according to the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite.Over 400 people were on hand for the Dedication-- and the Mass in the Presence of a Mitred Bishop.The celebrant was Father James Fryar, FSSP. Also assisting were clergy and seminarians of the FSSP, as well as Father Robert Tatman of the Quasi-Parish of Ave Maria Oratory, and Father Fausto Stampigilia, SAC.The choir included Dr. Susan Treacy and many members of the Ave Maria University Schola. This was, to our records, the ‘highest’ Extraordinary Form Mass in over 40 years in the state of Florida. Bishop Dewane graciously stayed to chat with the parishioners and visitors for the reception which followed.
