(LifeSiteNews) — The bishop of Knoxville, Tennessee, has revoked all the faculties of a priest who has associated himself with the Society of St. Pius X (SSPX).
A strongly-worded statement issued by the diocese said that Bishop James Beckman had withdrawn all faculties, permissions, and authorizations previously granted to Fr. David Mary Engo for ministry within the diocese. “He is not authorized to exercise public priestly ministry anywhere within the Diocese of Knoxville.”
In accordance with Traditionis Custodes, all diocesan Traditional Latin Masses (TLMs) in the Diocese of Knoxville were suppressed on January 1, 2026.
The statement goes on to denounce the presence of the SSPX within the diocese and discourage Catholics from participating in any of their activities:
Furthermore, the Bishop of Knoxville has not authorized, condoned, or approved the establishment within the Diocese of any priory, mission, chapel, foundation, or other apostolate intended to advance the purposes or ministry of the Society of Saint Pius X.
The faithful are therefore strongly urged not to attend Masses, sacramental celebrations, retreats, conferences, or other religious activities organized or conducted by Fr. David Mary or in connection with this unauthorized ministry, and not to provide material or organizational support for his ministry or the establishment or maintenance of an SSPX apostolate within the Diocese.
READ: Minnesota priest leaves diocese for SSPX, bishop begins canonical process
Earlier this week, LifeSiteNews reported that a priest of the Archdiocese of St. Paul and Minneapolis, Minnesota, had left the diocese to join the SSPX.
Archbishop Bernard Hebda announced that because of Fr. Philip Conklin’s affiliation with the Society and his refusal to end it, he has decided to open a canonical process to “clarify the situation and his status.”
“At the same time, I have also informed Father Conklin that he is not to exercise any public priestly ministry,” Hebda wrote.
The priest’s decision to affiliate with the SSPX is notable since the order has faced significant obstacles since its July consecration of four new bishops without a papal mandate and subsequent Vatican excommunication. Indeed, the order has been barred from using several prominent Catholic churches to celebrate Mass or pray as a group.
In August, Bishop Jean-Marc Micas of Tarbes and Lourdes banned the SSPX from celebrating Masses, sacraments, and public prayers within the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes.
The bishop previously openly welcomed Muslims, Hindus, and Buddhists. Last year, a joint Muslim-Catholic pilgrimage to Lourdes was organized by an ecumenical group called “Together with Mary.”
The next month, pro-LGBT Bishop Wilhelm Krautwaschl of Graz-Seckau likewise barred the SSPX from the Basilica of Mariazell for its annual public Rosary this fall despite having a much more accommodating history with homosexual and Muslim groups.
That same month, during a pilgrimage to Assisi led by Father Gabriele d’Avino, the superior of the SSPX’s District of Italy was not permitted to enter the St. Francis Basilica and instead prayed the Creed outside.
This article has been updated.