Three Arlington Catholic churches have been given permission by the Vatican to continue offering the Traditional Latin Mass for two more years, while five other congregations in the diocese will offer the 1962 rite in other locations.
The Friday announcement comes as Washington-area Catholic leaders implement changes to liturgical policies ordered a year ago by Pope Francis in a pastoral letter, “Traditiones Custodes.”
The pontiff said he wants to curtail the previously allowed use of the Latin Mass because he believes it causes division in Catholic ranks.
The new roster of eight Arlington diocese locations for the Mass is down from the current 21 where the Traditional Latin Mass has been offered.