Latest news with #CharlotteDiocese
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 This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
21-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
‘A church that listens': Charlotte bishop, local parishioners remember Pope Francis
Catholics around the world are mourning Pope Francis. Here in Charlotte, Catholics gathered for Monday mass and told Channel 9 why they're sad and still hopeful for the church's future. 'It was a shock. My wife was listening to the radio and she said she thought the Pope had died,' parishioner Pat McLaughlin said. He's been attending St. Gabriel Church on Providence Road for two decades. ALSO READ: Pope Francis, the first pontiff from the Americas, dies McLaughlin said the news was unexpected after the Pope made appearances on Easter Sunday. 'I don't think they were expecting him to die, especially after he got out of the hospital and was making an appearance and things like that, so it was pretty shocking,' McLaughlin said. Pope Francis' leadership and legacy, a controversial one for some, but not Charlotte's Bishop Michael Martin. Francis appointed him to the position last year and they met in September. 'He was very off-the-cuff. We were together for about 90 minutes and in various moments he was very serious, talking about topics of incredible importance. And then moments later, in a discussion about something different, was laughing and joking,' Bishop Martin said. Martin said his parishioners will have a chance to honor and mourn the pope on Wednesday night at St. Marks Church in Huntersville. A mass to pray for the church will take place there at 7 p.m. 'He called on the church to be a church that listens – in a time where, and in a world where listening is hard to find,' Bishop Martin said. McLaughlin told Channel 9, 'Now it's gonna be sort of a question of who is going to take his place?' The Bishop said the Charlotte Diocese will continue to honor the Pope by taking part in the Catholic Church's period of mourning. Liz Chandler, Director of Communications for the Charlotte Diocese, told Channel 9 they plan to open all their churches for prayer Monday night at 7 p.m. The diocese covers the western half of North Carolina, Chandler said, and includes more than 530,000 Catholics, 93 churches, 20 schools, and more than 50 ministries. SIMILAR COVERAGE: Jimmy Carter finds life-long friend during humanitarian visit to Charlotte
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
North Carolina Catholic bishops calling for more compassionate approach to immigration reform
CHARLOTTE, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — North Carolina bishops are sharing a message on President Donald Trump's immigration reform measures and migrant rights. It comes after several days of protests nationwide. Catholic leaders said this is not just about policy. It's an issue of moral concern. They think Americans can respect the borders and laws, but also care for people who've come to the U.S. for a better life. North Carolina refugee program receives cease-and-desist order as Elon Musk targets organization on X 'Hunting down and arresting hundreds of illegal aliens,' said Trump. Words like these have sparked fear among immigrant communities, as the Trump administration cracks down on illegal immigration. 'It's been interesting to see that some of those feeling the most anxious are actually naturalized or permanent green card holders, so these are folks that have very legal statuses that are very concerned that those statuses could be revoked,' said Autumn Weil, executive director of International House in Charlotte. International House has been fielding walk-ins and phone calls from people working to figure out their options. 'This is impacting the mental well-being of individuals, whether they're, you know, an immigrant from three months ago or an immigrant from 30 years ago,' said Weil. In the middle of deportation efforts and pro-immigration protests, the bishops of Charlotte and Raleigh are calling for a more compassionate approach to immigration reform. They issued a statement, saying in part: 'As Catholics, we advocate for the recognition that immigrants, as members of God's human family, are deserving of and must be granted the appropriate dignity as our brothers and sisters in the Lord. Jesus Himself was a refugee and taught us to welcome the stranger.' 2025-NC-Bishops-Immigration-principles-ENGDownload 'Immigrants or non-immigrants right now in a time of uncertainty and destabilization, they're looking to their community and for many of them that is a faith community,' said Weil. Charlotte Diocese leaders plan to offer food and other resources for families needing help during this time. They say clergy won't advise anyone to go against law enforcement, but they will continue to provide education about people's legal rights. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
