BREAKING: Pope Leo XIV issues exemption to San Angelo Diocese for parish TLM

by Katie Scholl

Posted July 17, 2025

SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage) — In a quiet corner of San Angelo, the past is very much alive. At St. Margaret of Scotland Catholic Parish, the ancient rite of the Traditional Latin Mass (TLM) — also known as the Extraordinary Form — continues to thrive, even as worldwide limitations challenge its practice,

“The Latin Mass is a ascent to Calvary where the Lord Jesus Christ reliving essentially the passion in every Latin Mass,” said Father Freddy Perez, Parochial Administrator, St. Margaret of Scotland Parish in San Angelo.

In 2021, the Vatican issued a decree, Traditionis Custodes, which severely restricted the use of the Latin Mass worldwide.

However, on February 6, 2025, Bishop Michael Sis of the San Angelo Diocese submitted a petition to the Vatican, seeking an exemption for St. Margaret’s Parish. That petition was granted on May 28, 2025, with Pope Leo XIV approving the request, making St. Margaret’s one of the few parishes in the world to be allowed to continue offering the Traditional Latin Mass.

“I mean, I was ready to be obedient and to give my people a beautiful mass no matter what,” said Father Freddy Perez. “I was really much relieved that the Holy Spirit came through, illuminated the right minds, and gave me permission not to suffer.”

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