News from the USA

Rorate Caeli reports that the Bishop of Manchester in New Hampshire, Rt Rev Peter A Libasci, has handed over the church of St Stanislaus in Nashua to the Priestly Fraternity of St Peter to become a personal parish for those who adhere to the traditional form of the Mass.  Originally built to serve the Polish community, the church was incorporated into another parish several years ago, since when it has been little used, with the prospect of closure and demolition never far away.

A diocesan press release states:

 'Since coming here in 2011, I have heard from many Catholics who have a deep affection for the traditional liturgical forms of the pre-Vatican II era,' said Bishop Libasci. 'Consistent with that desire I am happy to announce the opening of this parish, dedicated to the Extraordinary Form of the Mass, as suggested by Pope Benedict XVI in his Apostolic Letter Summorum Pontificum, issued Motu Proprio in 2007.'

It should be noted that Bishop Libasci has actually created a personal parish, in contrast to the developments in England, where churches have been handed over to traditional orders in New Brighton, Preston and Warrington to become shrine churches.  In fact, the FSSP have charge of more than 30 parishes in the USA.

Whilst we must be very grateful to the bishops in England and Wales who have established shrine churches for the use of the traditional orders, matters have progressed a lot further in America, where the traditional orders have been put in charge of personal parishes in many dioceses.

Congratulations are due to Bishop Libasci and all the other bishops of the USA who have been so welcoming to the to the traditional orders.