Texas Pastor Removed Over Latin Masses

For a Catholic priest in a small Texas town, it has been a particularly eventful week.

Over the course of three days, Fr. Stephen Zigrang JCL, pastor of St. Andrew's Church in Channelview, has been called into his bishop's office, threatened with suspension, removed from his parish and even forced to defend his mental health to his own father. These unfortunate events have taken place because Fr. Zigrang did something new during last Sunday's Masses — or, more accurately, did something very, very old.

Before each Mass on the morning of June 29th, Fr. Zigrang announced that he would no longer be offering Mass according to the revised missal of Pope Paul VI, instituted in 1969. He proceeded to offer the Mass according to the Roman Missal of 1962 (also called the "Latin", "Traditional" or "Tridentine" Mass). Parishioners who were used to attending a Mass in English, with the priest facing the congregation, witnessed a priest offer a Mass almost entirely in Latin, while facing the altar. Guitar bands and sing-along hymns were replaced by chants and reverential silence. Rather then standing up to receive Holy Communion in their hands, congregants were instructed to kneel and receive the Blessed Sacrament on their tongues. One of the three masses was a sung mass, also called a Missa Contata.

The Diocese Reacts Fr. Zigrang is a priest of the Diocese of Galveston-Houston, under Bishop Joseph Fiorenza. Upon hearing of the weekend's events, the diocese reacted immediately. Unable to reach him for most of the day Monday, the chancery sent word to Fr. Zigrang that the bishop would like to meet with him the following morning, July 1st.

Despite advice from others suggesting he be accompanied by a lawyer, Fr. Zigrang went to see the bishop on his own. He was told that he would be suspended and had until the next day to vacate the St. Andrew's rectory. He was provided a letter signed by Bishop Fiorenza and the diocesan Chancellor, Monsignor Frank Rossi, admonishing him for his actions and informing him that failure to "follow the liturgical directives of the Holy See in the celebration of the Eucharist and the other sacraments … is a grave disobedience and threatens the unity of the Church within the parish committed to your pastoral care."

First thing the following morning, the Director of Communications for the diocese, Mrs. Annette Gonzales Taylor, responded to an inquiry from the night before with an email claiming that, "…your inquiry is a bit premature in that Fr. Zigrang has not been suspended. At this time, Bishop Fiorenza and Fr. Zigrang continue to be in conversation."

When reached by phone to clarify the matter, Mrs. Taylor reiterated that Fr. Zigrang was not suspended, is still the pastor of St. Andrew's and no action has been taken against him. She said that she did not know whether he was at the parish today as priests take some days off. When asked why Fr. Zigrang would be (as witnesses claimed) in the process of moving out of the rectory if no action had been taken against him, she did not know.

At some point that same morning, as he was moving out of the parish rectory, Fr. Zigrang was called by Bishop Fiorenza, who recommended that he take a two month leave of duty. It was further suggested that Fr. Zigrang may want to seek psychiatric counseling during this time.

The following day, June 3rd, parishioners found a note on the St. Andrew's church door explaining that there would be no daily Mass or Eucharistic adoration. The note also referenced the name and number of another priest to contact.

Finally, Fr. Zigrang's elderly father was contacted this week by Chancellor Monsignor Frank Rossi, who expressed to him concerns about Fr. Zigrang's psychological well-being.

Past Efforts Fr. Stephen Zigrang has been a priest in the Diocese of Galveston-Houston for over 25 years and pastor at St. Andrew's for the past six. He is a former seminary instructor and has a licentiate in canon law. He was previously a member of the diocesan marriage tribunal where his lack of lenience toward annulment applications brought him into conflict with his peers.

Prompted by years of liturgical research and studies which drew him toward the Traditional Latin Mass, Fr. Zigrang had requested on multiple occasions for the opportunity to offer a public Tridentine Mass in a parish. His most recent request came in January of this year when he sent a letter to Bishop Fiorenza requesting permission to convert St. Andrew's parish in to a traditional parish (dedicated to the practice of the Tridentine Mass and other sacraments) or start such a parish in another location. Six months later, he had still not received a reply.

For the past couple years, Fr. Zigrang has been offering the Latin Mass privately in the rectory at 6:30 each morning. When he attempted to offer a single Latin Mass for his congregation on Sunday mornings, he was ordered by Bishop Fiorenza to stop.

In 1988, responding to Catholics attached to the Traditional Mass and sacraments, Pope John Paul II called for the "wide and generous application" of Latin Masses throughout the Church, but the decision was left up to each bishop on whether or how to implement those directives. Many bishops have refused to allow any such Masses, while some have allowed only limited access.

In the Diocese of Galveston-Houston, home to 1.5 million Catholics and the largest diocese in Texas (eleventh largest in the United States), there is a single Latin Mass offered on Sundays in downtown Houston. Not all believe that these accommodations are adequate to meet their spiritual needs, or in the "wide and generous" spirit alluded to by the Holy Father. Catholics who need to travel great distances with families have requested that the early Mass time be moved or another Mass be added for more reasonable access. Some have requested daily Masses; others Masses on Holy Days of Obligation; and still others a traditional parish, going so far as to locate property and priests available for such an arrangement. These requests to Bishop Fiorenza have reportedly been ignored or denied. The attendants of the Mass also are under certain restrictions, including a prohibition from promoting or advertising the Mass.

Critics point out that this diocese, which prides itself on promoting and celebrating diversity, particularly in liturgical matters, has demonstrated a clear and disturbing exception when it comes to the Tridentine Mass. Although hundreds of Masses are said throughout the diocese in a multitude of languages from Spanish to Chinese, and in a multitude of styles from "Country Music" to "Gospel Spiritual" with little to no concern from the bishop, requests for Traditional Masses are ignored and attempts to offer Masses in Latin quickly and definitively put to a stop.

Parishioners Respond The parishioners' responses to Fr. Zigrang's Latin Masses have been varied. Many were surprised but respectful of their pastor's decision, but there were also some notable negative and positive reactions. Some were openly hostile toward the move, storming out of the church at the beginning of Mass. Members of the musical band which performs at the 10:30 Mass were particularly dismayed (having no role during a Latin Mass), as were lectors and extraordinary ministers. After one of the Masses, a regular guitar player was particularly vocal about the complaint that would be forthcoming to the bishop.

On the other end of the spectrum, other parishioners were greatly appreciative of the opportunity afforded to them. Some old enough to remember when the Mass was in Latin were given a reminder of how much had changed and some of what was lost. Others who had never experienced such a Mass were struck by its simplicity and beauty. At least once attendant commented on the contemplative rather than "entertainment" focus, and another described it as "absolutely beautiful".

Several congregants came up to Fr. Stephen Zigrang after Mass to personally thank him. In what now appears to be his last Sunday at the parish, he gave them the rare opportunity to experience a Latin Mass in their parish, and allowed them to witness firsthand the reason for which their pastor was willing to risk the consequences which would soon follow.

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There is no reason to be puzzled--it's as plain as the nose on your face. These bishops are not into Catholic teachings about the faith, they are Protestants and wish to make the rest of us Protestants. That is to say, a Mass which underscores perennial doctrines of the Catholic faith is horrifying to them: they wish to use the New Mass to subvert our faith and destroy it once and for all--using the same tactics, by the way, that Martin Luther did, starting with a "commemorative meal" liturgy and the suppression of all distinctly Catholic dogmas. The very same routine was used successfully by Thomas Cranmer who introduced his new liturgy little by little precisely to make Catholics gradually accept Protestantism. First came the small changes, followed by ever bigger ones stretched out over decades. Catholics pray now like Protestants, believe now like Protestants, receive Communion now like Protestants. They have become, in fact, Protestants.

Nothing selfish about a priest seeking the salvation of souls through a truly Catholic Mass rather than a psuedo-Catholic one.

Confusing the hell out of a couple of thousand people, without notice, isn't selfish?

Of course it's selfish, as was Fiorenza. I don't understand these bishops who won't let a thousand flowers bloom. The Tridentine Liturgy should be celebrated where needed, when needed.

But, not imposed on anybody, at any time.

Catholics pray now like Protestants, believe now like Protestants, receive Communion now like Protestants. They have become, in fact, Protestants.

The Protestantization of Catholic worship is not the final end of the reform, but a transitional phase in the creation of a new universalist religion.

The hierarchy could not care less about other Protestant doctrines such as sola fide, sola scriptura or predestination, because they will not be part of the new religion.

The fact that you say this priest was heading over the the SSPX explains a lot. Disobedience has a different definition in their dictionary.

Precisely! The failure to distinguish between the essential elements of the Mass common to all liturgies of all rites, and the accidental elements of other rites which are found in those liturgies is a true root cause for erroneous propositions.

I wonder how an SSPX bishop would react if one of his parish priests announced that he had decided to follow the the same Mass as the Holy Father, and was consequently refused access to celebrate Mass in their chapel.

I'm not an expert on Church law by any means but something came to mind last night about this incident. If the Tridentine has never been abrogated, if any priest is allowed to say it by an historical papal decree, if this Pope has encouraged its use (controversy of this point aside), then this priest is only guilty of disobedience to his bishop. He is not guilty of disobedience to the Church or to the Pope. The Bishop is being disobedient himself. I don't understand how this priest can be punished. Can't he appeal this to the Vatican?

BTW, I am one of the few who is going to support what he did. I think it was an act of part desperation, part presenting the truth to the laity. I used to think the average Catholic was more informed than they actually are. I've since discovered most people don't even know what the Tridentine is or if they do, they are still completely passive and uninformed. The reaction of this priest's congregation was quite telling.

Time to start defending the faith--against the marauders who are dismantling it.

Where are you defending it from?

From a sect which would jam the Tridentine Liturgy down the throats of these Houston Catholics as mercilessly has Fiorenza has kept it from them.

The hierarchy, and Paul VI, made a huge mistake in attempting to eradicate the Tridentine Mass.

It would be foolish to now repeat the mistake, as the SSPX would like to do.

If Fellay ever brings you guys back, he will have to do it under co-existence with the Novus Ordo. Some, like yourself and Williamson, I suspect, would rather insist on the highway of "Tridentine or bust."

You need to believe it. If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck--it's a duck. The Novus Ordo is a Protestant liturgy, pushing a Protestant, not a Catholic theology. If this seems bizarre to you: ask yourself--if these bishops actually believed Christ were truly present on the altar after the Consecration--wouldn't they push for a greater show of reverence instead of moving in the opposite direction, ripping out communion rails, instituting Communion in the hand and eliminating kneeling? Read the anathemas of Trent which very unambiguously anathematizing a liturgy emphasizing a sacrifice of commemoration--it's all there, popping up now again five centuries later.

You are absolutely right when you say "the Protestantization of Catholic worship is not the final end of the reform." Check the following from Traditio.com:

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The Novus Ordo Archdiocese of Baltimore is the first to implement the New Vatican's latest error in putting out the notion that the Jews don't have to accept Jesus Christ as the Messias. They can look for another.

A new rite of "Baptism" has been engineered that incorporates Jewish elements with "Catholic" ones. And, far from discouraging Catholic marriage with Jews, which is essentially a violation of the Natural Law (because of the danger of perversion of the Faith of the Catholic party, although for good cause in specific cases dispensations have been given for disparity of cult), the archdiocese is encouraging religious relativism.

At that part of the "Baptism" when the Catholic participants renew their baptismal promises, the Jews present are invited to affirm their faith in the Torah publicly with the words: "Hear, O Israel, the Lord your God is Lord alone." Instead of making the Sign of the Cross, they made the Star of David.

According to the Baltimore archdiocese's official organ, Catholic [sic] Review of July 3, Novus Ordo Cardinal Keeler there will not use the name of Jesus Christ in any liturgical ceremony when Jews are present.

One recalls the Jewish Apostles, when Christ confronted them about where their faith lay and asked them pointedly: "Will you also go away? And Simon Peter answered him: Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life" (John 6:68-69/DRV). That is the Catholic answer. Christ is the only God, the only Messias, the only Truth.

While the two rites may one day "co-exist", the two faiths can't. One is Catholic, the other isn't. One rite supports and affirms Catholic theology and dogmas, the other undermines and suppresses Catholicism.

As Jesus warned us, a servant cannot serve two masters. One is the true faith, founded by Christ Himself for all time, the other is a politically correct concoction fabricated by humanists. No contest.

There are times when you have had legitimate complaints but what the hell does Rome (trusting that you mean the Vatican) have to do with the renegade Bishop Fiorenza? He is AmChurch personified. Like that scum Trautman in Erie, PA, or that other scum Adamec in Johnstown-Altoona, he is getting back in shape for major league defiance of Rome when the Mass document is issued by Arinze, Ratzinger and another come fall.

The ones who walked out of this priests Mass are getting in practice too. They remind me of Planned Barrenhood in a tizzy over the possibility that someone hostile to infant slaughter might make it onto the SCOTUS and reposess the stolen constitution massacred in Roe vs. Wade. No less than you an I, the bishop and those parishioners KNOW that the suppression of the Tridentine Mass is another instance of stolen goods.

I would burn Fiorenza, Trautman, Adamec, McPhoney and all of their ilk at the stake in a New York minute. I hope you would too. I would dig up Bernardin and burn him posthumously. Unfortunately, it is less practically possible to adminster real justice nowadays. Don't blame the victim.

If your computer skills exceed mine (even Ronald Reagan in his current condition has better skills than I) you might be able to find the transcript of Fiorenza's deposition on covering for pedophiles and other exotic flora and fauna among his priests in which Fiorenza essentially smart mouths the deposition-taking lawyer and says, hey, it ain't no big deal and I will be long retired before this gets resolved.

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