April 11, 2004

The next traditional Latin Mass, offered in the Diocese of Knoxville on the first Sunday of each month, is scheduled for 5 p.m. May 2 at St. Stephen Church in Chattanooga. For more information, visit the websites www.korrnet.org/uvknox/ and www.knoxlatinmass.net/.

Bishop Joseph E. Kurtz wishes to inform the faithful that the only authorized traditional Latin Mass in the Diocese of Knoxville according to the provisions of the Apostolic Letter Ecclesia Dei is the one held on the first Sunday of every month at St. Stephen Church.

Any other traditional Latin Masses offered publicly take place without the permission of the bishop and are thus illicit. Priests offering such Masses have not presented the necessary documentation to the bishop indicating their fitness for ministry, nor have they sought his permission to exercise ministry.

Because such priests are not associated with the Diocese of Knoxville and do not acknowledge the bishop’s authority, Bishop Kurtz instructs the faithful to avoid these illicit Masses.