A Letter from a Priest of Jesus Christ to the Faithful of the Diocese of Charlotte: "A house built on the sand of deceit cannot endure the buffeting winds of truth."

A faithful priest who must remain anonymous has sent this letter to the faithful of the Diocese of Charlotte, North Carolina, who are attached to the Traditional Latin Mass.

He requested us to have it published here as well.

Dear TLM Faithful of the Diocese of Charlotte,

You may not know me, but I am well-acquainted with your diocese and the challenges you face, as I regularly speak with your priests and many among your community. I am a priest in good standing, and though I would prefer to sign this letter openly, the current climate in the Church, though hopefully fading, requires me to remain anonymous for prudence’s sake.

News from Charlotte: Bishop Comes for the Catholic Schools' Masses

We have received a report of the new liturgical directives which Bishop Michael Martin of Charlotte wishes to impose on the masses of Paul VI celebrated in the three Catholic high schools under his jurisdiction. The goal is apparently the decatholicization of the new liturgy in the schools under his authority.

Unfortunately, but not surprisingly, they are exactly what we would expect, given what we have previously seen of his ideas about “liturgical norms.”

Full-Length Documentary on Latin Mass Restrictions in Charlotte, North Carolina

 For the background, see our two previous posts:

(1) Traditionis Custodes Persecution continues under Leo XIV - Traditional Masses Removed from Parish Churches in the Diocese of Charlotte, North Carolina

(2) Rorate Exclusive: The Anti-Traditional and Anti-Liturgical Pastoral Letter to be Sent by the Bishop of Charlotte on Liturgical Norms in His Diocese

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Regina Magazine just released a lengthy documentary on the situation of the Latin Mass in the Diocese of Charlotte, North Carolina. We encourage you to watch it below and make it known:

New Pope - New Methods: Charlotte Bishop Martin Pauses Restrictions on Latin Mass until (at least) October

 Thank you to all Catholics who reached out to request a reprieve -- and to all authorities who asked the bishop of Charlotte, Michael Martin, to be reasonable in his struggle against the Traditional Latin Mass. Did he get a phone call about his restrictions? Apparently...

Here's hoping this minor reprieve will be extended indefinitely. (Notice important point near the middle of the article: "In the interim, Bishop Martin said, should the Vatican issue any official changes to Traditionis Custodes, the diocese would abide by those instructions.")

From his diocesan newspaper:

CHARLOTTE — Changes to Traditional Latin Mass offerings in the Diocese of Charlotte will take effect Oct. 2 to align with a deadline mandated by the Vatican – not July 8 as previously planned, Bishop Michael Martin announced Tuesday.

Rorate Exclusive: The Anti-Traditional and Anti-Liturgical Pastoral Letter to be Sent by the Bishop of Charlotte on Liturgical Norms in His Diocese

 Rorate was able to obtain the letter written by the Bishop of Charlotte, North Carolina, Michael Martin OFM Conv, who last week decreed the almost extinction of the Traditional Latin Mass in his diocese. This letter is supposed to be made public sometime in the future, and it was being kept secret (since it was written while Francis was still pope, Francis is referenced in the document -- it also leads to believe that the decision to extinguish the Traditonal Mass in the diocese was taken while Francis was still pope). We are making it known to you now.

The letter, which is dedicated to a completely anti-liturgical and anti-traditional overhaul also of the Mass of Paul VI (the Novus Ordo Missae), is transcribed in its entirety below. The micromanagement of all aspects of the new mass in order to make it as anti-traditional as possible is quite astonishing. Some aspects of this have already been implemented at places where the bishop says mass (for instance, he forbids Communion from being distributed at the rail when he celebrates mass in churches that normally do that.)

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“Go In Peace, Glorifying the Lord By Your Life”

A Pastoral Letter on the Celebration of the Liturgy

in the Diocese of Charlotte

My brother priests,

Since my appointment as the bishop of the Church of Charlotte, I have had the privilege of visiting many of our parish churches, schools, and communities. I am edified by the liturgical fervor of the majority of people that I have encountered throughout the diocese. The heart of the ritual and sacramental life of the Church is to draw us into the saving work of Jesus. The liturgy and our sacramental life always send us out to fulfill the saving work of Jesus, building his kingdom that is manifest in the Pentecost moment and the birth of the Church. For this reason, we hear at the end of the Mass as two of the options for the dismissal, “Go in peace, glorifying the Lord by your life,” and, “Go and announce the Gospel of the Lord” (Roman Missal, “The Order of Mass,” n. 144) The dynamism of the liturgy compels us to live the saving work of Christ out in the world. As we all seek to live as sons and daughters of God, we must take every opportunity to reflect upon the life of the Church within the walls of our church buildings and outside the walls.