The Vatican has granted an exemption from restrictions on the Traditional Latin Mass to St. Margaret of Scotland Parish in the Archdiocese of San Angelo, Texas. This exemption, requested by Bishop Michael Sis, allows the parish to continue celebrating Mass according to the 1962 'Missale Romanum'. This is a notable development, as it is the only known exemption granted by Pope Francis, providing a specific exception to the restrictions outlined in Traditionis Custodes. The diocese's director of vocations announced the exemption on social media.
6 months ago
The Vatican has granted a two-year exemption to St. Margaret of Scotland Parish in San Angelo, Texas, allowing it to continue celebrating the Traditional Latin Mass (TLM) despite restrictions imposed by Pope Francis’ encyclical Traditionis Custodes 1 3. This dispensation, requested by Bishop Michael Sis on February 6, 2025, and approved by the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments on May 28, 2025, is reportedly the only such exemption granted by Pope Leo XIV since the start of his pontificate 1 3.
Bishop Michael Sis emphasized that his request was made "with a spirit of total openness to whatever is the will of God," expressing trust in Pope Leo XIV's judgment 1 3. The exemption is explicitly based on the parish's ongoing efforts to promote full appreciation and acceptance of the liturgical books renewed by the Second Vatican Council 1 3. Father Freddy Perez, St. Margaret’s pastor, confirmed the Vatican's letter praised the parish for its "pastoral concern to instill a clear appreciation for the Church as unique, lex orandi," indicating their adherence to the Holy Father’s motu proprio 1 3.
Father Ryan Rojo, the diocese’s director of vocations, initially announced the exemption via social media on June 27, 2025, expressing gratitude to Pope Leo XIV 1 3. Pastor Father Freddy Perez noted a sense of relief among parishioners upon receiving the news, despite some initial negativity about the need to seek permission for the TLM 1 3. He encourages obedience, stating that this is "where the Church is right now" 1 3. St. Margaret’s has offered the TLM for over five years, attracting a community primarily composed of young families and curious individuals, with weekly attendance ranging from 140 to 200 people out of the parish's 200 families 1 3.
This Texas exemption follows other developments regarding TLM restrictions, such as the Archdiocese of Detroit's recent decision to allow the Traditional Latin Mass to continue in non-parish churches, despite earlier plans to suspend most TLM celebrations in the area 1 3. Cardinal Raymond Burke, a proponent of the traditional liturgy, has publicly requested Pope Leo XIV to consider lifting the restrictions on the TLM more broadly 1 3.
How does the Church govern liturgical practices?
The Church governs liturgical practices through a hierarchical structure, with authority primarily residing in the Apostolic See and, to a certain extent, in diocesan bishops and episcopal conferences . This governance ensures that the liturgy, as the public worship of the Mystical Body of Christ, maintains its sacred nature and expresses the faith of the entire Church .
The regulation of the sacred liturgy rests solely with the authority of the Church. This means:
The principles and norms for liturgical reform apply primarily to the Roman Rite . However, some general principles are universally applicable to all rites . For the Eastern Churches, while many principles from the Second Vatican Council's Constitution on the Sacred Liturgy are valid, specific norms are found in other conciliar documents like Orientalium Ecclesiarum and the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches . These documents emphasize the inalienable value of the diverse traditions of the Eastern Churches, and particular laws of each sui iuris Church also govern their liturgical celebrations .
No individual, including a priest, may add, remove, or change anything in the liturgy on their own authority . This stricture underscores that the liturgy is not private property but an action of Christ the priest and His Body, the Church .
Liturgical norms have developed over time to express and protect the Eucharistic mystery and to manifest that the Church celebrates this august sacrifice and sacrament . The liturgical books promulgated by Pope Saint Paul VI and Pope Saint John Paul II, following the decrees of the Second Vatican Council, are considered the sole expression of the "law of prayer" (lex orandi) of the Roman Rite . Newer norms supersede older ones that are not in conformity with current prescriptions .