Diocese of Pittsburgh to End Traditional Latin Mass at Final Diocesan Parish
By Fayette County Discussions
The Diocese of Pittsburgh has announced the conclusion of the Traditional Latin Mass within its diocesan parishes, with the final celebration scheduled at St. Titus Church in Aliquippa on Friday, September 4, 2026, ending a 20-year history of the Latin liturgy at that location.
ALIQUIPPA, PA — In a significant liturgical development for Roman Catholics across Western Pennsylvania, the Diocese of Pittsburgh has formally announced the conclusion of the Traditional Latin Mass (TLM) within its diocesan parishes.
In an official pastoral letter sent to parishioners at Mary, Queen of Saints Parish in Aliquippa, Bishop Mark Eckman confirmed that he will not request an extension from the Holy See for the two-year dispensation that allowed the celebration of the 1962 Missal within diocesan facilities.
Consequently, the final diocesan Traditional Latin Mass will be celebrated at St. Titus Church in Aliquippa on Friday, September 4, 2026. The service will mark the conclusion of a 20-year history of the Latin liturgy celebrated regularly at that location.
Bishop Eckman cited a commitment to fostering liturgical unity across local parish groupings and deepening devotion to the Novus Ordo Mass as primary considerations behind the decision. The directive aligns with broader Vatican guidelines regarding traditional liturgical practices issued under the pontificate of Pope Leo XIV. Pastoral staff noted that local Catholics seeking the traditional liturgy will be directed to canonical non-diocesan options in the region.