Father James Flynn shows up Sunday for 7:30 Sunday Mass with body guard in violation of Bishop’s decree against allowing laity to attend
FORT WORTH, Texas (June 5, 2023) – Father James Flynn, pastor of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic Church in Keller, Texas, arrived yesterday, Sunday, June 5, 2023, for the 7:30 a.m. Mass for the Carmelite nuns at the Monastery of the Most Holy Trinity in Arlington accompanied by a body guard who works for the diocese Michael Short, director of security.
Due to the recent decree of Bishop Michael Olson that prohibited Catholic laity from attending Mass at the Monastery, the nuns informed Father Flynn that he was welcome inside to perform Mass, but that bodyguard Short would not be allowed entrance. The constitutions for the Discalced Carmelites also forbid the entrance into their inner enclosure.
Bishop Olson’s decree specifically states the following: “Given the pending lawsuit, Mass will remain closed to the participation of the lay faithful for the time being. The only Mass intention will be for the restoration of peace and good order of the Monastery.”
“These Carmelite sisters have been here for more than 70 years without any incident,” said Matthew Bobo, attorney for the nuns. “How in the world does Bishop Olson defend his decision to deny the sisters their canonical right to the sacraments while at the same time violating his own decree prohibiting Catholic laity to assist at Holy Mass there? Does the Bishop really believe that Father Flynn was in personal danger from the Sisters such that he needed a bodyguard?” Bobo asked.
Father Flynn reportedly told the nuns that Bishop Olson had stipulated that Flynn would not be able to offer Holy Mass (on the Monastery’s patronage feast day of Holy Trinity Sunday) without being accompanied by the bodyguard.
Canon law requires that any written decision to be implemented in the external forum must be set forth in writing and the recipient duly notified. Bishop Olson enacted this last minute condition without complying with the requirements of canon law.
This brings to mind the “Mass Rocks” in Ireland. Those who have had the courage to enter religious life must also have blood running through their veins to resist this tyranny.