Latest news with #BishopMichaelMartin
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Vatican rules on fate of former Charlotte pastor accused of inappropriate behavior
The Rev. Patrick Hoare's removal as pastor of St. Matthew Catholic Church amid accusations of misconduct involving youth was justified under church law, the Vatican City-based government of the Roman Catholic Church has ruled. St. Matthew in Ballantyne is the largest Catholic parish in Charlotte and among the biggest in the U.S. Charlotte Catholic Bishop Michael Martin revealed the Holy See's ruling in a statement to St. Matthew parishioners published Thursday in the diocesan newspaper, Catholic News Herald. The Holy See ruled on Hoare's appeal of his removal in 2020 by then-Charlotte Catholic Bishop Peter Jugis. Hoare's removal followed a review by the diocese's Lay Review Board of 'specific claims of boundary violations with minors.' The board found 'a semblance of truth' to the allegations, Martin wrote. Jugis placed Hoare on administrative leave in December 2019 based on decades-old allegations of sexual abuse of a minor that arose in Pennsylvania, a decision criticized by some of Hoare's former parishioners, the Observer previously reported. A petition at the time calling for Hoare's return as pastor received 1,840 signatures. The petition describes Hoare as 'our beloved priest, spiritual director, and pastoral shepherd.' Hoare said at the time that the sexual allegations were false and that the alleged incident occurred before he became a priest. His appeal of his dismissal prevented the diocese from appointing a new St. Matthew pastor, Martin said. He said he will appoint one when diocese-wide priest assignments 'are finalized in the coming days.' Martin's statement did not say where Hoare is now.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Charlotte Diocese ending Traditional Latin Masses this summer at parish churches
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — Catholic churches in Charlotte will no longer hold Traditional Latin Mass starting this summer. In a letter written Friday by Charlotte Diocese Bishop Michael Martin, those services at parish churches will be consolidated at a future chapel in Mooresville. The change takes effect July 8. Charlotte Catholics react to historical pontiff pick Martin cites the 2021 letter the late Pope Francis published, 'Traditionis Custodes,' which restored limits on the celebration of TLM in the Universal Church to 'promote ecclesial communion.' Martin's predecessor Peter Jugis requested an extension for the diocese to prepare for a transition, but that expires this year. 'I am now ready to finish the diocese's implementation of the norms established in 'Traditionis Custodes,' Martin said. The chapel will be located on the diocese's 8-acre property at 757 Oakridge Farm Hwy., currently the home to the Freedom Christian Center, and adjacent to Curlin Commons, its senior apartment community. The name of the facility is yet to be determined. Martin said a priest of the diocese will be appointed as a chaplain, who will be responsible for celebrating two Sunday Masses and Holy Day Masses using the 1962 Roman Missal at the new chapel. Those who participate in the services there will remain active members of the current parishes. St. Ann's Catholic Church on Park Road posted on its website that it is no longer permitted to advertise Latin Masses due to the order. The Carolina Traditional Liturgy Society said area priests will be addressing the changes this weekend, ending their statement with: 'Let us continue to pray for our bishop and priests, entrusting them to Our Lady's care and protection. Our Lady of Fatima, pray for us!' The Associated Press reported that Pope Benedict XVI had loosened restrictions on celebrations of the Latin Mass, which was used for centuries before the modernizing reforms of the 1960s Second Vatican Council. Francis reversed Benedict's this liturgical legacy, saying the spread of the Latin Mass had created divisions in dioceses. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
