The Bishop of Owensboro (Kentucky), Most Rev. William F. Medley, has ordered Fr. David Kennedy to cease celebrating Mass according to the 1962 Missal as of June 30, 2026. In its place, he grants him permission solely to offer the Novus Ordo in Latin and ad orientem—a revealing detail: what is being proscribed is not Latin nor the liturgical orientation, but the ancient rite itself.
What is truly significant is the reason the prelate himself gives, because it confirms in black and white that Traditionis Custodes is not a regulatory norm, but one of extinction. Medley acknowledges that, according to the Holy See’s 2023 instruction, to renew the permission he had to demonstrate “the steps taken to lead the faithful attached to the antecedent liturgy toward the Novus Ordo.” And he confesses: “I am unable to demonstrate that this condition has been fulfilled; I have no standing to request an extension.”
In other words: the permission is retained only if it can be shown that what is permitted is being dismantled. A community faithful to the traditional rite will never be able to meet that condition, because its very existence proves that the “step toward the Novus Ordo” has not been taken. The lock is one-way.
The angle that directly affects the Vatican
Medley recounts that he waited after the death of Francis and the election of Leo XIV in case the new Pope would reconsider the matter, and that he only acted after the January Consistory of the College of Cardinals “expressly decided not to review Traditionis Custodes.” He stresses that he is acting “in accordance with my promise to the Pope, the Bishop of Rome.”
Put another way: the bishop does not present himself as the author of the measure, but as an executor of a Roman directive that, far from being softened under the new pontificate, has been confirmed. The dynamic of extinguishing the traditional Mass remains fully active under Leo XIV.
A persecution by expiration, not by abolition
The letter from Owensboro is a textbook case of how the norm operates: it does not decree an outright suppression, but activates a mechanism of extinction through administrative attrition. It does not ban the rite with a single stroke; it denies it air until it extinguishes itself. It is precisely the “real risk of sacramental extinction” that so many faithful reject and which lies at the origin of the state of liturgical necessity now affecting a large part of the traditional world.
Full transcription of the letter (translation of the original in English)
DIOCESE OF OWENSBORO
McRaith Catholic Center | Office of the BishopMay 18, 2026
Rev. David Kennedy
Immaculate Conception Parish
112 S. Day Street
Earlington, KY 42410Dear Fr. Kennedy:
Thank you for the opportunity to address the celebration of Mass according to the Roman Missal of 1962. I have reviewed my correspondence with the Holy See from 2023, which stated: “If, after this period of time, you wish to renew the permission, you must send us a new relatio along with your request. This relatio must contain details on the number of participants in these Masses and must account for the steps that have been taken to lead the faithful attached to the antecedent liturgy toward the celebration of the liturgy according to the liturgical books reformed by decree of the Second Vatican Council, which constitute the only expression of the lex orandi of the Roman Rite.”
Since I am unable to demonstrate that this condition has been fulfilled, I have no standing to request an extension of the Holy See’s instruction, and I direct you not to celebrate Mass according to the Roman Missal of 1962 after June 30, 2026.
I know that in some dioceses the faithful who have shown a preference for Mass celebrated in Latin have accepted the Novus Ordo Mass celebrated in the Latin language. I trust that, by July 1, 2026, you may obtain the corresponding Missal of Paul VI in Latin. I will grant you singular permission to offer this Mass ad orientem.
As we discussed, I allowed nearly a year to pass after receiving this consent from the Holy See. I did so in light of the death of Pope Francis. I permitted the continuation of the traditional Latin Mass after the election of Pope Leo XIV to see whether he would reconsider the question of Mass offered in parish churches. After more than a year, and following the January Consistory of the College of Cardinals, in which it was expressly decided not to review Traditionis custodes, I feel obliged as bishop to act in accordance with the orientation of the Holy See.
To the faithful who may object to this directive, you may certainly refer them to me, but please make clear that I am acting in accordance with my promise to the Pope, the Bishop of Rome.
I appreciate your ministry to this small and singular community. I assure you of my prayers for them and for you, and I kindly ask that all pray for me.
Sincerely in Christ,
Most Rev. William F. Medley
Bishop of Owensboro