Leeds: New Latin Mass centre opening

A new centre for the Traditional Latin Mass in the Diocese of Leeds. Bishop Marcus Stock, Bishop of Leeds announced last week there will be a permanent home for the Extraordinary form in Bradford after the people in the diocese asked for a regular venue for Sunday Mass.

"I am making St Joseph's Church in Bradford a principal church for the celebration of the Extraordinary Form Rite of Mass within the Diocese of Leeds. This is a pastoral response to the request from a number of the faithful for a central church that is easily accessible with a celebration at a time on a Sunday that will facilitate a larger congregation of the faithful to attend," said Bishop Stock.

Fr Timothy Wiley LMS diocesan coordinator first approached Bishop Stock after his appointment in 2014. They raised with the bishop the diocesan need for a regular Traditional Latin Mass on a Sunday in a centrally located church.

"The bishop met us with great courtesy and warmth and made it clear he was particularly keen that those who wish to attend the Extraordinary Form of Mass should not have to do so in the middle of a Sunday afternoon which he sees as family time," said Neil Walker.

"After looking at many possibilities the Bishop agreed to allow us to become part of St Joseph's Parish in Bradford, which we have used several times in the past and where we have been made most welcome by the parish priests. The parish also has another centrally located church, that of St. Patrick's at the other side of the city, which is currently undergoing intensive restoration and renovation.

"Bishop Stock has also agreed to continue to support the Traditional Rite by attending several Diocesan annual Masses in the Extraordinary Form and to encourages conferences and retreats for priests interested in celebrating the Traditional latin Mass. He also established a regular third Sunday Mass at the Cathedral in April 2015.

Joseph Shaw, chairman of the Latin Mass Society said "I am delighted that Bishop Stock has responded in this generous way to the needs of the Faithful, not only making the Extraordinary Form available every Sunday in Bradford, but ensuring its long- term stability in St Joseph's, which is essential to the proper provision of pastoral care to those attending it."

With the addition of the extraordinary form at St Joseph's Bradford, there are now nearly fifty parishes in England and Wales which celebrate the Traditional Latin Mass every Sunday. "We now look forward to a long period of stability and the chance to build up a congregation of regular worshipers in a place to call home for the Mass, Sacraments and devotions according to the books of 1962." said Neil Walker.

The new venue in Bradford will be in use for the celebration of the Extraordinary Form Mass from September.

For more information see: www.lms.org.uk