[Catholic Caucus] Traditional Marian Franciscans in UK to be dissolved despite growth

LifeSite News ^ | May 28, 2026 | LifeSite News Staff

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[Catholic Caucus] Traditional Marian Franciscans in UK to be dissolved despite growth

The Marian Franciscan friars, who celebrate the Traditional Latin Mass, faced opposition from a new bishop in the Diocese of Dunkeld and indicated that they will relocate and join another association.

The Priests of the Association of the Family of Mary Immaculate and St. Francis, better known as the Marian Franciscans, will be dissolved on the last day of May and will no longer exist as an association of the faithful.

The friars, who celebrate both the Traditional Latin Mass and the Novus Ordo Mass, have indicated that they will relocate and join another association with a similar charism. A press release hints that they will be leaving the United Kingdom but offers no details.  

Their community consists of approximately 20 mendicant Friars inspired by the Marian spirituality of St. Francis of Assisi and St. Maximilian Kolbe.

“Ave Maria!  It is with heavy hearts that we break the news to you that the UK Association of Marian Franciscans will be dissolved as of May 31,” lamented an announcement on X. “We unite all our sufferings with those of the Sorrowful Heart of Mary. God bless you all and Mother Mary keep you.”

According to a press release issued on their behalf:

The first Friars were welcomed to the Diocese of Portsmouth in November 2014. In June 2015 they assumed pastoral care of St Mary’s Parish, Gosport, and on 31 May 2018 Bishop Philip Egan formally erected the Public Association of the Family of Mary Immaculate and St Francis. In July 2019, four members of the Association were ordained to the priesthood in the old rite.

As vocations increased in Gosport, the Friars opened a second house at St Joseph’s, Copnor, Portsmouth, in February 2020. Their ministry expanded rapidly and included the celebration of the Traditional Latin Mass, daily Vespers and Holy Hour, First Fridays and First Saturdays, men’s groups, retreats, and conferences. Their work also extended within the Diocese of Portsmouth and into London, where they served communities including Tyburn Convent, St Mary Magdalen and St Joseph’s, Wembley. Following … Pope Francis’s 2021 document Traditionis Custodes, diocesan authorisation for celebrations of the traditional liturgy became more restricted….

In 2022, the Friars relocated from Gosport to the Diocese of Dunkeld, where they were welcomed by Bishop Stephen Robson alongside approximately twenty Marian Franciscan sisters. A 2022 diocesan press release confirmed that the community had been received in Dundee and that plans were being explored for the purchase of a friary, convent, chapel and grounds for their long-term use.

Those plans did not proceed to completion. Following the appointment of Bishop Andrew McKenzie, who was ordained Bishop of Dunkeld on 10 August 2024, the Friars and sisters were informed in February 2025 that the previously agreed property purchase would not be ratified and that they would need to leave the diocese. The deadline was later extended, allowing the communities to remain in the two properties until 31 October 2026.

Supporters say the Dundee community has flourished since the Friars’ arrival, with attendance growing significantly and many young families participating in the apostolate’s liturgical and devotional life. The community has also been associated with large numbers of baptisms, Marian consecrations and wider engagement among the faithful.

The Friars reportedly voted on April 27, 2026 to petition for dissolution. Bishop Philip Egan of Portsmouth issued a decree of dissolution on May 24.

Egan said: 

I have agreed to this request after serious and careful consideration, and the appropriate canonical and practical steps are now being taken. The dissolution takes effect from 1st June 2026. From that date, the Marian Franciscans will no longer exist as an Association of the Faithful, and members may not continue to act publicly in the name of the Marian Franciscans. 

During the past eleven years, members of the community have lived and ministered not only in the Diocese of Portsmouth but, more recently, in the Diocese of Dunkeld in Scotland. The Diocese of Portsmouth will work with Bishop Andrew McKenzie, the Bishop of Dunkeld and those directly involved, to address the practical arrangements now required, and the pastoral needs of the lay friars and the community in Dunkeld. Further details will be provided once arrangements have been finalised.

I know that this news will be a cause of sadness and concern for many people who have valued the ministry, prayer and pastoral presence of the Friars. During this period of transition, I have permitted those Friars who are priests of the Diocese of Portsmouth, to wear a different Franciscan habit. Until further arrangements are confirmed, I have also granted the priests permission to continue the Masses, sacraments and devotions celebrated at St Agatha’s in Portsmouth, St Joseph’s in Copnor, and St Thomas More’s, Iford. The Diocese recognises with gratitude the ministry of the Marian Franciscans, and the prayer, generosity and friendship offered to them by the lay faithful and others who have supported the community over the years.

Supporters of the Marian Franciscans said in their press release that their dissolution “marks the end of a distinctive chapter in contemporary Catholic life in the United Kingdom,” and that they “remain hopeful that the Friars’ mission, and the spiritual fruits associated with it, will endure and may one day return to Britain in a new form.”

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Those plans did not proceed to completion. Following the appointment of Bishop Andrew McKenzie (a frankenbishop), who was ordained Bishop of Dunkeld on 10 August 2024, the Friars and sisters were informed in February 2025 that the previously agreed property purchase would not be ratified and that they would need to leave the diocese.

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Ping

[Dr. Sivana]

I had stated immediately after Traditiones Custodes was issued that the bi-ritual groups would get hammered first. Cupich has come down hard on St. John Cantius in Chicago, diocesan priests who say both have been greatly restricted everywhere, and now this. The groups that only say the traditional Mass have been bothered less (FSSP, SSPX, and ICKSP [except in Chicago, because Cupich has enough venom to go well beyond Traditiones Custodes]). It will be interesting to see what happens to SSPX after the consecrations on July 1.

[rmichaelj]

I think the SSPX is the only group listed that doesn’t need to worry about what happens after July 1st.

[HYPOCRACY]

The fake pope’s war on traditional Catholics continues. Commies destroy everything.

[Dr. Sivana]

I think the SSPX is the only group listed that doesn’t need to worry about what happens after July 1st.

It will affect some if faculties for Confession are withdrawn. There might be a small attrition of priests, though not as many as in 1988. They will lose of the faithful where alternative traditional Masses are available. If Rome comes down too hard, and too bluntly, they may get some new ones out of disgust.

[ebb tide]

It will affect some if faculties for Confession are withdrawn.

I highly doubt it. Most SSPX'ers are battle-hardened with the constant contradictions coming from Rome.

[rmichaelj]

Of course it’s all conjecture at this point what individuals will do, but I meant that the SSPX as a group doesn’t have to worry. The other groups do- which is why in general they are very careful what they say in their homilies and don’t speak of the scandals around us. I do know of one exception- an FSSP priest. I’m constantly amazed that he hasn’t been reassigned to outer Mongolia.

In regards to confessions, those that attend SSPX chapels understand about supplied jurisdiction- even though others will not agree with it. When Francis gave faculties for confession the SSPX was gracious and told him they appreciated the action for those who were concerned about it but that supplied jurisdiction was already present.

There were no great influxes of people to SSPX chapels when Francis did provide faculties for confession. There was a very large influx during and after Covid.

As you alluded to- it is not 1988. My incredulity wonders sometimes if certain undercover bishops and employees of the Vatican are intentionally doing things to allay any fears of those attending the SSPX that they are not in the right place. I know it is a serious subject- but the dark humor helps me cope.

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(Scene- deep in the Vatican archive several figures gather together in a dimly lit room around an empty table):

Father Garbo- “But what if the SSPX faithful become concerned about Leo pronouncing a latae sententiae excommunication?!? I know we have a history of OK’ing Chinese Communist bishops after they are consecrated, but still, some may worry!”

Father Chapman: “Yes we must do more! You have access to Leo’s speechwriter, have him keep pushing the idea that Orthodox schismatics are a sister Church and that we should not be vying for primacy. That recitation of the Nicene Creed without the Filioque was genius!”

Father Popov: “Listen, this might go too far, but there is this bishop I know out in California who is willing to go to the consecration of an Episcopalian “bishop” and act like he is co-consecrating. Sure it may cause scandal but think of how ridiculous it makes a statement of excommunication of Catholic bishops trying to provide to those who depend on them for the Traditional Faith and sacraments.”

Father Garbo: “Sounds risky. Too obvious. Call him off if possible.”

Father Popov: “I’ll try, but he seems determined to help the SSPX in any way he can.”

Father Brutus: “Oh crap, I already set in plans to honor the “Archbishopess” of Canterbury later to try and show that we are only really bothered by Traditional Catholic Bishops.”

Father Garbo: “You Fool! You are going to get us all caught for sure! No one will believe we didn’t set all this up in order to demonstrate the hypocrisy which surrounds us.”

Father Brutus: “It’s too late all the arrangements have been made!”

Father Garbo: “Very well, but let’s lay low for now and for our own sakes- try to be a little more subtle from now on! And don’t forget the password and extraction points if they find us out!”

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[Dr. Sivana]

It will affect some if faculties for Confession are withdrawn.
I highly doubt it. Most SSPX'ers are battle-hardened

Our two statements are not contradictory. I said SOME, you said MOST. I know for a fact that SOME take that into consideration, because I know SOME of them. Faculties had been withheld even before 1988, so obviously MOST don't have an issue with it, though even then, some went to Mass at SSPX, but to confession in a church with faculties.

[Dr. Sivana]

But what if the SSPX faithful become concerned about Leo pronouncing a latae sententiae excommunication

That has always bothered me. Someone who successfully procures and abortion receives latae sententiae excommunication because there is no element of intention other than wilfully doing the deed. There can be no necessity or justification. (There might be a question of remote cooperation, for instance a legislator or the guy who drives a mother to the abortion mills knowing why.)

But for something like this, where motivation is a part of the culpability, it seems like if Rome really meant it, he would skip latae sententiae and pull a Fabian Bruskewitz and simply excommunicate on his own authority. Frankly, I would rather see an actual trial, but no one wants that to happen, because so many of the arguments they would HAVE to employ could be used on a lot of novelties and disobediences that have been committed by the Modernists. In short, the Lefebvre element would win a real trial in a walk.

[rmichaelj]

Yes, one difference lies in an intended abortion being inherently evil, whereas the consecration of bishops is obviously not.

Even the current Canon Law states that the reason for the consecrations matter (further it states the subjective reason of the actor matters- regardless if they are correct or not).

The Bruskewitz case is interesting. Basically the SSPX response was that only priests were members and that no priests resided in the Lincoln Diocese, so it did not affect them. Bruskewitz disagreed.

The Vatican response agreed with Bruskewitz’s action, but only in regards to the Call to Action group (as they were the only group who appealed to Rome). Note that most journalist’s covering of this response by the Vatican reported or implied that the Vatican approved of the excommunication of all groups- this is not true.

Obviously with the actions of Benedict and later Francis- Bruskewitz’s claim that membership in the SSPX is “always perilous to the Catholic Faith” falls flat. In charity, I believe Bruskewitz’s understanding of the SSPX was deficient, and he did belong to a generation of Churchmen which believed that obedience to one’s superior trumped all other considerations.

[Dr. Sivana]

I think it was also “cover” to get “Call to Action” the Freemasons and Shriners without there being any claim of bias in one direction only.

I think it was Cdl Ratzinger who made a document warning against being to wrapped up in Heavy Metal or Opera. I really doubt that opera has the same kind of problematic obsession. Most of it is objectively more musical and ordered, as well. It was just to show he wasn’t just picking on new stuff.