CHARLOTTE, North Carolina (LifeSiteNews) — After massive backlash, Bishop Michael Martin of Charlotte, North Carolina, has extended the date that his restrictions on the Traditional Latin Mass will take effect from July to October.

The embattled bishop had decreed last month that the Latin Mass must cease at all four parishes in the diocese that continue to offer it by July 8. 

However, Martin announced in an email on Tuesday that he has accepted a request from the priests of the four parishes to delay the restrictions until October 2, which is the deadline set by the Vatican to implement Pope Francis’ anti-Latin Mass norms.

The Francis-appointed bishop has designated a former Protestant chapel adjacent to an “affordable senior apartment community” as the sole location at which the Traditional Latin Mass may be celebrated, according to the Catholic News Herald. 

The diocese is spending $700,000 to renovate the building for “Catholic worship.” 

“It made sense to start these changes in July when dozens of our priests will be moving to their new parishes and other assignments,” Martin told the Catholic News Herald. “That said, I want to listen to the concerns of these parishioners and their priests, and I am willing to give them more time to absorb these changes.”

Popular traditional Catholic publisher TAN Books, which is located in Charlotte, highlighted the news of the extension, adding, “We thank everyone for their prayers and ask for your continued support in the preservation of the Latin Mass!”

Bishop Martin has granted permission for the Latin Mass until October 2nd.

We thank everyone for their prayers and ask for your continued support in the preservation of the Latin Mass!https://t.co/JzwPUV4cpE

— TAN Books (@TANBooks) June 3, 2025

This story is developing …