DIOCESE OF OWENSBORO
McRaith Catholic Center | Office of the Bishop
May 18, 2026
Rev. David Kennedy
Immaculate Conception Parish
112 S. Day Street
Earlington, KY 42410
Dear Fr. Kennedy,
Thank you for the opportunity to discuss the celebration of the Mass according to the Roman Missal of 1962. I have reviewed my correspondence with the Holy See from 2023 where it was indicated: “If after this period of time, you wish to renew the permission you will need to send us a further relatio along with your request. This relatio should contain details of the number of participants at these Masses and it should recount the steps which have been taken to lead the faithful who are attached to the antecedent liturgy towards the celebration of the liturgy according to the liturgical books reformed by decree of the Second Vatican Council and which form the unique expression of the lex orandi of the Roman Rite.” As I am unable to demonstrate that this condition has been met, I have no standing to request an extension of the Holy See’s instruction, and I am directing you to not celebrate the Mass according to the Roman Missal of 1962 after June 30, 2026.
I know that in some dioceses the faithful who have shown a preference for the Mass celebrated in Latin have accepted the Novus Ordo Mass celebrated in the Latin language. I trust that between now and July 1, 2026, you can obtain the appropriate Missal of Paul VI in Latin. I will grant the singular permission to offer this Mass ad orientem.
As we discussed I have permitted nearly a year to pass beyond reception of this consent from the Holy See. I did this in recognition of the death of Pope Francis. I allowed the continuation of the traditional Latin Mass after the election of Pope Leo XIV to see if he would reconsider the matter of the Mass offered in parish churches. After more than a year, and the January Consistory of the College of Cardinals in which they specifically chose not to review Traditionis custodes I feel obligated as bishop to act in accord with the direction of the Holy See.
For the faithful who may object to this directive you may certainly refer them to me, but please make clear that I am acting in accord with my promise to the Pope, the Bishop of Rome.
I am grateful for your ministry to this small and unique community. And I assure you of my prayers for them and for you and I kindly ask that you all pray for me.
Sincerely in Christ,
Most Reverend William F. Medley
Bishop of Owensboro
Do we see why the identity of the Pope matters? Do you see why I and others have been jumping up and down screaming about the Bergoglian and now Prevostian Antipapacies for a decade-plus? Do you see why I told Cardinal Burke TWICE in private extended audiences that he had to do something?
The salvation of souls is the Supreme Law of the Church.
F.X. Wernz, P. Vidal: “Finally they cannot be numbered among the schismatics, who refuse to obey the Roman Pontiff because they consider his person to be suspect or doubtfully electedon account of rumours in circulation.” (Ius Canonicum, 7:398, 1943)
Rev Ignatius Szal: “Nor is there any schism if one merely transgress a papal law for the reason that one considers it too difficult, or if one refuses obedience inasmuch as one suspects the person of the pope or the validity of his election, or if one resists him as the civil head of a state.” (Communication of Catholics with Schismatics, 1948)
De Lugo: “Neither is someone a schismatic for denying his subjection to the Pontiff on the grounds that he has solidly founded [‘probabiliter’] doubts concerning the legitimacy of his election or his power [refers to Sanchez and Palao].” (Disp., De Virt. Fid. Div., disp xxv, sect iii, nn. 35-8)
