Unconfirmed reports suggest Pope Leo XIV may allow bishops in England and Wales to request dispensations for the Traditional Latin Mass, loosening 2021 restrictions.
Newsroom (14/11/2025 Gaudium Press) Unconfirmed reports from the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of England and Wales (CBCEW) plenary meeting at Hinsley Hall suggest a potential shift in the Church’s approach to the Traditional Latin Mass (TLM). According to sources, Archbishop Miguel Maury Buendía, the apostolic nuncio to Great Britain, informed bishops that Pope Leo XIV is prepared to grant dispensations to any bishop requesting permission to celebrate the TLM, a move that could ease restrictions imposed by Pope Francis’s 2021 motu proprio, Traditionis Custodes.
The news, first reported by Mark Lambert of the podcast Catholic Unscripted, emerged from the CBCEW’s Autumn Plenary meeting, held from November 10-13, 2025, at Hinsley Hall in Leeds, where the conference traditionally convenes twice yearly. While no official statement has been issued by the CBCEW or the Vatican, the development has sparked significant interest among Catholics in England and Wales, particularly those devoted to the Tridentine Rite.
The reported policy would mark a departure from the tighter controls introduced by Traditionis Custodes, which limited the celebration of the TLM and required bishops to seek Vatican approval for its use. Under the new guidance, bishops could independently request dispensations, potentially restoring greater access to the older liturgy. Dioceses already permitting the TLM, such as those with established Latin Mass communities, would likely see minimal changes, while others might now feel empowered to authorize celebrations.
The suggestion carries particular weight in the context of England and Wales’ unique liturgical history. In 1971, the so-called Agatha Christie indult—named after the famed author who co-signed an appeal with prominent cultural figures—granted special permission for the continued celebration of the TLM following the liturgical reforms of the Second Vatican Council. This indult set a precedent for flexibility in the region. Later, in 2007, Pope Benedict XVI’s Summorum Pontificum further expanded access by designating the TLM as an “extraordinary form” of the Roman Rite, allowing priests to celebrate it without special permission. However, Traditionis Custodes reversed much of this openness, prompting criticism from traditionalist Catholics.
The reported dispensation policy could also influence the future direction of the Archdiocese of Westminster, where Cardinal Vincent Nichols has maintained a stricter interpretation of Traditionis Custodes. Nichols notably prohibited the Easter Triduum and the sacrament of confirmation in the Traditional Rite, decisions that drew disappointment from TLM advocates. With Nichols approaching retirement age, the next archbishop may adopt a more permissive stance, particularly if the reported policy is formalized.
A spokesperson for the CBCEW, contacted by the Catholic Herald, acknowledged awareness of the developing story but clarified that no transcript of the nuncio’s remarks would be released. “There will be no transcript available for the Apostolic Nuncio’s speech as it was a private conversation with the bishops,” the spokesperson said, underscoring the informal nature of the reports.
The potential shift arrives amid ongoing debates over the TLM’s place in the modern Church. Proponents argue that the older rite, with its rich symbolism and Latin prayers, fosters a deep sense of reverence and continuity with Catholic tradition. Critics, however, contend that its resurgence risks undermining the liturgical unity promoted by the post-Vatican II reforms. The reported dispensation, if confirmed, would represent a modest but meaningful step toward accommodating traditionalist communities while preserving episcopal authority.
For now, the Catholic faithful in England and Wales await official confirmation from the CBCEW or the Vatican. The absence of a formal statement leaves room for speculation, but the reports from Hinsley Hall signal a possible turning point in the region’s liturgical landscape. As the Church navigates its complex history with the TLM, the outcome of this development could shape the pastoral and spiritual life of Catholics for years to come.
- Raju Hasmukh with files from Catholic Herald
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