Priest Hit Hard by TLM Edict

A distraught Fr. Matthew Cushing of All Saints Parish in Walton, Kentucky is coming to grips with Friday's document from Rome.

Fr. Matthew Cushing: "Pope Francis issued his Motu Proprio ... severely restricting the Latin Mass."

At Sunday's 9:30 a.m. Mass, a distressed Cushing addressed his congregation of Latin Mass devotees.

Fr. Cushing: "Believe me, I tried everything in my power to keep it. I used every argument in the book."

Cushing initially thought his parish would continue the Extraordinary Form of the Mass by simply getting permission from his bishop.

Fr. Cushing: "The priest has to get permission to say it."

But then, reality hit, and he had to convey this to his parishioners who prefer attending the Latin Mass.

Fr. Cushing: "I heard from the bishop. He said I need to cancel the Mass."

Father said Bp. Roger Foys, recently retired but still administrator for the diocese of Covington, interpreted Francis' words literally — that from now on there can be no Extraordinary Form of the Mass in any parish church.

Fr. Cushing: "There's a phrase in the motu proprio that says it can't be in a parish church, which makes no sense whatsoever. ... Well, Bp. Foys thinks it's clear."

Like many parish priests, this leaves Cushing in an uncomfortable place, having to balance obeying his bishop with serving his flock.