In the few months since his installation, Archbishop Edward Weisenburger has initiated a series of decisive and controversial changes in the Archdiocese of Detroit, implementing strict new limits on the Traditional Latin Mass (TLM) and dismissing three prominent, long-serving theologians from Sacred Heart Major Seminary. These actions signal a clear and swift realignment of the archdiocese with directives from the Holy See.

The most recent development came in late July 2025, when the archdiocese terminated the contracts of three distinguished faculty members at the seminary. Those dismissed were Dr. Ralph Martin, a professor of theology and director of graduate programs in the new evangelization who had been at the seminary for 23 years; Dr. Eduardo Echeverria, a professor of philosophy and systematic theology since 2003; and Dr. Edward Peters, a renowned canon lawyer who had held the Edmund C. Szoka Chair since 2005.

While the Archdiocese of Detroit stated it does not comment on personnel matters, the fired professors have offered some insight. Dr. Martin said in a statement that Archbishop Weisenburger gave no specific reasons for the termination beyond “concerns about my theological perspectives.” All three theologians have been public critics of what they described as ambiguity and confusion arising from the pontificate of the late Pope Francis. Their critiques touched on issues including pastoral reasoning in Amoris Laetitia, changes to the Catechism on the death penalty, and the handling of the Theodore McCarrick abuse scandal.

These dismissals have drawn significant attention as they follow another major directive from the new archbishop. In an April 16 announcement, Archbishop Weisenburger declared that, in compliance with Vatican instructions, the Traditional Latin Mass would no longer be permitted in parish churches after July 1, 2025.

The Archbishop cited Pope Francis’s 2021 apostolic letter Traditionis Custodes and a subsequent 2023 clarification, which reserves the authority to permit the TLM in parish churches to the Holy See, not local bishops.

While this restricts the celebration of the older liturgy, it does not eliminate it entirely. The ministry at St. Joseph Shrine, which is cared for by the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest (ICKSP), will continue to offer the TLM. Furthermore, Archbishop Weisenburger announced his intention to designate four non-parish locations—one in each of the archdiocese’s regions—where the Traditional Latin Mass can still be celebrated. A document related to the changes also reportedly banned the ad orientem posture for priests saying Mass.

Taken together, Archbishop Weisenburger’s recent actions strongly signal an implementation of the previous ‘pontificate’s’ agenda. By enforcing Francis’s signature liturgical restrictions and dismissing faculty known for their criticism of his papacy, the new archbishop is decisively shaping the diocese in his predecessor’s image, ensuring that the former ‘pope’s’ vision remains a powerful and guiding force in Detroit.