Archbishop Rodi issues decree on 'Traditionis Custodes'

By ROB HERBST
The Catholic Week
Archbishop Thomas J. Rodi issued a decree Nov. 5 for the implementation of Pope Francis’ recent Apostolic Letter “Traditionis Custodes,” (Guardians of the Tradition) concerning Masses celebrated in the extraordinary form of the Roman Rite — often called “the traditional Latin Mass” or “Tridentine Mass.”
Archbishop Rodi’s decree, effective Dec. 11, 2021, grants permission to Frs. Den Irwin and William Saucier to continue celebrating Mass according to the 1962 Roman Missal twice a month because they have already been celebrating Mass in that Form for the past few years. Fr. Irwin, pastor of Our Lady of Guadalupe Parish in Wetumpka, may celebrate the Extraordinary Form at St. John the Baptist Church in Montgomery. Fr. Saucier may celebrate the Extraordinary Form at St. Bridget Church in Whistler, one of two parishes where he serves as pastor. 
Earlier this summer Pope Francis restored limits on the celebration of the Mass according to the Roman Missal in use before the Second Vatican Council, saying he was acting for the good of the unity of the Catholic Church. Pope Francis overturned or severely restricted permissions St. John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI had given to celebrate the so-called Tridentine-rite Mass.
Pope Francis restored the obligation of priests to have their bishops’ permission to celebrate according to the pre-Vatican II Mass and ordered bishops not to establish any new groups or parishes in their dioceses devoted to the old liturgy.
Pope Francis also ordered that the bishop must consult with the Vatican before granting authorization for any priest ordained after the Apostolic Letter’s publication July 16, 2021.
Archbishop Rodi said in the decree that he consulted with priests of the archdiocese and devoted considerable prayer and reflection to the decision. 
“In accord with this Apostolic Letter, it is my responsibility to follow its provisions attentive both to the spiritual needs of the people of the Archdiocese and to the respect and obedience which I have promised the Successor of St. Peter, the Holy Father.”
The decree may be read at mobarch.org.
— Catholic News Services contributed to this report.