To the editor:
Bishop Jeffrey Monforton of the Diocese of Steubenville continues to make questionable and incompetent decisions. Last week he ordered an immediate end to celebrating the Traditional Latin Mass at the chapel at the Franciscan University of Steubenville. This Mass was attended by about 250 students as well as faculty and staff.
Pope Francis recently stated that every bishop who has conceded in the past the use of parish churches, which includes St. Peter, for celebration of the TLM without the assent of the Apostolic See will now be required to submit a request to Cardinal Arthur Roche, prefect at the Dicastery for Divine Worship, and await his response.
Why would Monforton cancel the Latin Mass at Franciscan's chapel when the pope specified that the celebration of those Masses could not be in parish churches without Vatican approval? The Vatican is not restricting the Latin Mass at chapels or any other nonparish site.
A source states that Monforton sent a letter to Roche stating his intention to cancel the Latin Mass at Franciscan. The speculation is that Monforton believed by canceling the Mass at Franciscan, the diocese could gain approval from Roche to continue offering the Mass at St. Peter.
This may be his intention based on a quote from the diocese in a Catholic News Agency article on March 7: "The Mass at Franciscan has been (canceled)," a spokesperson for the diocese said. "The bishop is seeking a dispensation for the Mass at St. Peter's, where the weekly Latin Mass has been held for years."
Evidently, Monforton did not have written dispensation from Roche to continue the Latin Mass at St. Peter after sacrificing Franciscan University. His high-risk gamble could result in the end of the Latin Mass in Steubenville.
It appears Monforton once again has made a decision without involving those who are directly affected. He should have informed the clergy and members who attend the weekly service at St. Peter that he would have to gain approval from Roche in order to continue the Latin Mass. I am certain those members would have, at the very least, petitioned Roche and made their voices heard loud and clear for the dispensation to be granted.
Monforton should have held firm on an appeal to Roche to allow St. Peter to continue its weekly Latin Mass without sacrificing Franciscan. By not involving those directly affected, the weak autonomous decision to cancel the Latin Mass at Franciscan to possibly save it at St. Peter has alienated many current students, faculty, staff and alumni and should not have happened.
Monforton continues to be surrounded by corruption, investigations, questionable and incompetent decisions during his tenure as bishop. I am praying for him. I am also praying that the diocese is able to continue its independence as the Diocese of Steubenville, but under the direction of a new and good leader.
Frank Krajovic
Woodstock, Ga