Bishop Guglielmone stipulates in the new policy that the traditional Latin Mass cannot be celebrated for the midnight mass at Christmas, or during the triduum or the Easter vigil.

CHARLESTON, SC – Priests in the Diocese of Charleston, SC can no longer administer confirmation or anointing of the sick in Latin using the pre-Vatican II Roman missal, under a new policy that goes into effect Sunday.

The policy announced by the Bishop of Charleston, Robert E. Guglielmone, also restricts the use of the traditional Latin mass and comes in response to Pope Francis’ motu proprio. Traditionis custodes, or “Guardians of the Tradition”. The papal edict states that it is the “exclusive competence” of each bishop to authorize the use of the traditional Latin mass in his diocese.

The Mass using the 1962 Roman Missal is known as the extraordinary form of the Roman Rite, the Tridentine Mass and the Traditional Latin Mass.

The new “Policy Regarding the Celebration of Mass 1962 in the Diocese of Charleston” comes into effect on November 28, the first Sunday of Advent. He identifies four parishes in the diocese where the traditional mass in Latin can be said on Sundays and holy days of obligation, under certain conditions.

Bishop Guglielmone stipulates in the new policy that the traditional Latin Mass cannot be celebrated for the midnight mass at Christmas, or during the triduum or the Easter vigil. Only one traditional Latin mass is allowed on the Day of the Dead. On weekdays, the old rite can be celebrated “if an additional mass is celebrated according to the ‘NOVUS ORDO’ on the same day,” the policy says.

The four parishes where the traditional Latin Mass can be celebrated are: Stella Maris in Sullivans Island; Sacred Heart in Charleston; Prince of Peace in Taylors and Notre-Dame du Lac in Chapin.

The policy also restricts the celebration of certain sacraments in the “Tridentine form”.

Confirmation and anointing of the sick are not allowed, says the bishop. Baptism is only authorized at the request of the parents. Marriage using the old rite is permitted with the permission of the bishop, and funerals are permitted only upon “specific prior written request of the deceased”.

A note adds that “baptism, marriage and anointing of the sick can be celebrated in Latin according to the most recent update of the rites”.

“The priests who celebrated this Mass before the date of Pope Francis’ MOTU PROPRIO and who indicated to me that they were doing so, can celebrate this Mass” in the four parishes, says Bishop Guglielmone in politics.

A spokeswoman for the diocese confirmed that the new policy is in response to Traditionis custodes. “The Holy Father’s motu proprio asked each bishop to evaluate his diocese and to implement specific instructions regarding the celebration of Mass in 1962,” she told AIIC. “After carefully reviewing the rites and consulting with pastors in our diocese, the bishop approved this policy effective the first Sunday of Advent.”

The spokesperson also touched on the sacramental rules of politics. “Regarding the specific limitations of certain sacraments, these decisions were made on the basis of the rubrics and the study of the rites,” she said. “For example, before Vatican II, Mass could not be celebrated after 12:00 noon on a Sunday and not before midnight on the eve of a big feast. Thus, there is no authorization in the sections to celebrate the traditional Latin mass on Christmas Eve.

Bishop Guglielmone was appointed Bishop of Charleston by Pope Benedict in 2009. The text of the new policy is below.