Flourishing traditional Marian Franciscan community in UK to be dissolved
May 30, 2026
» Continue to this story on National Catholic Register
CWN Editor's Note: The Marian Franciscans, formally known as the Family of Mary Immaculate and St. Francis, voted to dissolve their community as of May 31.
“Despite growth in numbers and apostolic activity, it was not possible to secure the practical and canonical support needed for formation, sponsorship, and future priestly ordinations,” the friars said in a statement.
The community, whose priests offered the extraordinary form of the Latin Mass, had grown to 20 friars. Bishop Philip Egan of Portsmouth, England, issued a decree confirming the dissolution.
The National Catholic Register reported that “following Pope Francis’ 2021 apostolic letter Traditionis Custodes, the community said diocesan authorization for celebrations of the traditional liturgy ‘became more restricted.’”
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Posted by: feedback -
May. 30, 2026 12:39 PM ET USA
This brings to mind the words of Gamaliel in the Acts of the Apostles (5:34-39), "I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God."
