Bishop Robert Brennan of the Diocese of Brooklyn has reduced the number of local churches that celebrate the Traditional Latin Mass (TLM) from three to two, out of sustainability concerns, according to a statement the diocese shared with CatholicVote Oct. 2.
“Bishop Brennan very much wants to meet the needs of the people, and has developed an approach that will be more sustainable,” John Quaglione, deputy press secretary for the diocese, told CatholicVote in an email statement about the decision.
The last TLM at St. Cecilia Church at 84 Herbert St. will be celebrated Oct. 12, according to a parish bulletin.
“The TLM Mass at the St. Cecilia site was averaging an attendance between 25 and 35 people, and was being served by a rotation of priests, which can no longer continue because of the numbers,” Quaglione told CatholicVote. “That is why Bishop Brennan has gone to this site model of one in each borough of the Diocese — one in Brooklyn and one in Queens.”
Brooklyn diocesan newspaper The Tablet reports that parishioners were informed Sept. 28 of the change from a rotation model to a site model and that a priest shortage contributed to the decision.
Our Lady of Peace Church at 522 Carroll St. in Brooklyn will continue celebrating the Latin Mass at 9:30 a.m. on Sundays. The average attendance at the TLM at Our Lady Queen of Peace is 65 people. The church has celebrated the Latin Mass for more than 25 years, Quaglione said.
The official site in Queens is St. Josaphat’s Church in Bayside, which averages 240 people in attendance at the TLM, according to Quaglione. He noted that the TLM has been celebrated at St. Josaphat’s for years, and now the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest will be taking over the celebration of TLM at the church.