Ite, missa est: Diocese of Knoxville

 

The End of an Era: The Extraordinary Form Transition in the Diocese of Knoxville

As of October 13, 2025, at 03:52 PM EDT, a significant announcement has reverberated through the Catholic community in the Diocese of Knoxville, Tennessee. A post on X by user Discipulus777, shared on October 12, 2025, at 19:19 UTC, brought to light a letter distributed after Mass, detailing Bishop James Mark Beckman's decision to phase out the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite—often erroneously called the "Traditional Latin Mass" (TLM) by so-called traditionalists—across the diocese. This transition, effective November 24, 2025, will see the cessation of Extraordinary Form Masses at key locations including Holy Ghost Church in Knoxville, St. Dominic Church in Kingsport, and the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul in Chattanooga. The news has left many parishioners, including the poster and his wife who recently relocated to the area partly for access to these Masses, feeling "gut-kicked" and searching for answers. This blog post will explore the details of this decision, the possible reasons behind it, and the theological context surrounding the two forms of the Roman Rite, clarifying common misconceptions.

The letter, penned on October 7, 2025, and signed by Bishop Beckman in collaboration with local pastors, outlines a deliberate shift from the Extraordinary Form to the Ordinary Form, aligning with Pope Francis's motu proprio Traditionis Custodes. The final Extraordinary Form Mass is scheduled for December 28, 2025, with exceptions allowing its celebration on specific Sundays until then, after which it will be entirely replaced. The announcement has sparked immediate reactions, with hundreds of long faces reported leaving Mass and a trending topic emerging on X, reflecting widespread shock and criticism. Parishioners are left without diocesan-provided alternatives, prompting calls for prayer and potential appeals to higher ecclesiastical authorities.

 The Context of the Decision

This move by Bishop Beckman comes in the wake of Traditionis Custodes, issued by Pope Francis on July 16, 2021, which significantly restricted the use of the Extraordinary Form. The document revoked the liberalizing provisions of Pope Benedict XVI's Summorum Pontificum (2007), which had permitted broader celebration of the 1962 Missal under certain conditions. Traditionis Custodes asserts that the liturgical books promulgated after the Second Vatican Council, particularly the Roman Missal of Paul VI, constitute the "unique expression" of the lex orandi (law of prayer) of the Roman Rite. It delegates to local bishops the authority to regulate or restrict the Extraordinary Form, aiming to foster unity within the Church by limiting what some perceive as a divisive liturgical practice.

The Diocese of Knoxville's decision reflects this directive, with the letter emphasizing compliance with papal guidance. The transition includes retaining traditional elements such as ad orientem worship, Gregorian chant, communion rails, Latin, and incense in the Ordinary Form, suggesting an attempt to soften the blow for those accustomed to the Extraordinary Form's aesthetic and spiritual richness. However, the lack of alternative locations for the Extraordinary Form has fueled discontent, with some parishioners considering turning to the Society of St. Pius X (SSPX) or other traditionalist groups, despite the diocese's measured tone promoting unity.

 Possible Reasons for the Shutdown

Several factors may underpin Bishop Beckman's decision to end the Extraordinary Form in Knoxville. First, the influence of Traditionis Custodes is paramount. Pope Francis's motu proprio was a response to concerns that the widespread use of the Extraordinary Form, as encouraged by Summorum Pontificum, had fostered division rather than unity. Reports of communities using the older rite to reject Vatican II reforms or question the legitimacy of the Ordinary Form may have prompted stricter oversight. In Knoxville, where the Extraordinary Form had thrived since the 1980s at places like Holy Ghost Church, this could have been perceived as a challenge to the bishop's authority or the post-conciliar liturgical vision.

Second, logistical and pastoral considerations might play a role. The diocese, covering 14,000 square miles of East Tennessee, serves an estimated 70,000 Catholics across 50 parishes. Maintaining two forms of the Mass requires trained priests, resources, and coordination, which could strain a growing diocese already managing post-Hurricane Helene recovery efforts in 2024. Consolidating worship into the Ordinary Form might streamline pastoral care, ensuring consistency and accessibility, especially as the Church adapts to a diversifying congregation influenced by immigration from Catholic countries.

Third, theological and ecclesiological priorities could be at play. The Second Vatican Council (1962-1965) sought to renew the liturgy, making it more accessible through vernacular languages and active participation, as embodied in the Ordinary Form. Some bishops, including possibly Beckman, may view the Extraordinary Form's retention as a step backward, potentially alienating younger Catholics unfamiliar with Latin or the Tridentine structure. The letter's call for unity under Christ, echoing John 15:5 ("Without Him—no matter our motives or feelings—we will not bear much fruit"), suggests a desire to align the diocese with the Council's vision of a unified lex orandi.

Finally, personal or political dynamics within the Church hierarchy might contribute. Bishop Beckman, appointed by Pope Francis in May 2024, succeeds a tenure marked by controversy under Bishop Richard Stika, who retired in 2023 amid allegations investigated under Vos estis lux mundi. Beckman's alignment with Francis's liturgical stance could signal a fresh start, reinforcing papal authority and distancing the diocese from past tensions. However, this risks alienating a vocal minority devoted to the Extraordinary Form, as seen in the X post's emotional outcry.

 Clarifying the Terminology: Ordinary and Extraordinary Forms

A critical point of discussion arising from this news is the terminology used by so-called traditionalists, who often refer to the Extraordinary Form as the "Traditional Latin Mass" (TLM) and the Ordinary Form as the "Novus Ordo." This nomenclature is misleading and requires correction. The Mass, by its very nature, is traditional, rooted in the Church's 2,000-year liturgical heritage. Both the Ordinary Form, promulgated by Paul VI in 1969, and the Extraordinary Form, based on the 1962 Missal of John XXIII, are legitimate expressions of the Roman Rite's lex orandi. This dual expression was formally recognized by Benedict XVI in Summorum Pontificum, which stated that what was sacred for previous generations remains sacred today and cannot be entirely forbidden.

Summorum Pontificum allowed priests to celebrate the Extraordinary Form privately and, with parish priest approval, publicly where a stable group requested it, emphasizing its continuity with the Church's tradition. However, Traditionis Custodes reframed this relationship, asserting the Ordinary Form as the primary liturgical norm and subjecting the Extraordinary Form to episcopal discretion. Both documents affirm that the Roman Rite encompasses these two forms, not as competing traditions but as complementary expressions of the same faith. The misuse of "TLM" and "Novus Ordo" by some traditionalists reflects a preference for the older rite, sometimes coupled with skepticism toward Vatican II, which Traditionis Custodes seeks to address by reinforcing the Council's liturgical reforms.

This theological nuance is essential for understanding the Knoxville decision. The Extraordinary Form is not being "banned" in a vacuum but transitioned within a broader framework where the Ordinary Form is prioritized. The retention of traditional elements in Knoxville's Ordinary Form Masses—ad orientem, chant, Latin—underscores that tradition is not lost but reinterpreted, aligning with the Church's call for unity in diversity.

 The Human Impact and Future Outlook

The X post by Discipulus777 captures the human toll of this transition. The poster's recent move to Tennessee, motivated in part by the proximity of Extraordinary Form Masses, highlights how liturgical preferences shape community and identity. The lack of alternatives, combined with the abrupt announcement, has left parishioners feeling abandoned, with some vowing to seek out SSPX chapels or other traditionalist outlets. This reaction mirrors trends on X, where users like TaylorRMarshall and RaymondArroyo lament the "tyrannical suppression" of the Extraordinary Form and question Pope Leo XIV's silence, suggesting a broader crisis in Catholic liturgical life.

Yet, the letter's pastoral tone offers a counterpoint, urging the faithful to embrace the change as a shared journey of faith. The scheduled discussion on October 19, 2025, post-Mass, invites dialogue, potentially opening a space for reconciliation. The diocese's growth—driven by conversions and immigration—may also provide an opportunity to integrate the Extraordinary Form's devotees into a vibrant Ordinary Form community, preserving their spiritual heritage within the new framework.

Looking ahead, the future of the Extraordinary Form in Knoxville hinges on several factors. Appeals to the Vatican, as hinted by some X users, could prompt a review, though Traditionis Custodes gives bishops significant latitude. The survival of the one remaining Extraordinary Form Mass at St. Mary's in Athens, served by the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter, offers a glimmer of hope, though its distance may limit access. Alternatively, grassroots efforts to establish private chapels or attract traditionalist orders like the FSSP could emerge, though these would require episcopal approval under current restrictions.

 Conclusion

The Diocese of Knoxville's decision to end the Extraordinary Form is a poignant moment in the ongoing evolution of Catholic liturgy. Rooted in Traditionis Custodes and shaped by pastoral, theological, and political considerations, it reflects a broader tension between tradition and renewal. While the loss of the Extraordinary Form pains many, the Church's lex orandi remains intact through both its Ordinary and Extraordinary expressions. As the faithful navigate this transition, the call to unity under Christ, as articulated by Bishop Beckman, offers a path forward—challenging yet hopeful. The coming months will reveal whether Knoxville can heal its liturgical divide or whether this marks the beginning of a new chapter of dissent.

For further reading:

- Traditionis Custodes (July 16, 2021)

- Summorum Pontificum (July 7, 2007)

- Roman Catholic Diocese of Knoxville official statements

- X threads by Discipulus777 and related users