VATICAN CITY (CNA) - New Vatican restrictions on extraordinary form Masses elicited passionate responses from Catholics nearly as soon as the motu proprio was published shortly after noon Rome time on Friday. Many Catholics reacted strongly to the promulgation of “Traditionis custodes,” a motu proprio signed by Pope Francis on July 16, offering pithy comments on Twitter as well as more detailed takes.

Bishop Michael G. Duca held a press conference May 25 at the Catholic Life Center in Baton Rouge to discuss his decision to lift the dispensation of the obligation to attend Sunday Mass and relaxing the use of masks. The Diocese of Baton Rouge recently announced the updating of these two COVID-19-related protocols in a letter dated May 21.

In consultation with the Clergy Personnel Board, Bishop Michael Duca has appointed new pastors, administrators, parochial vicars, and deacons.

Our Lady of the Lake Regional Medical Center in Baton Rouge suspended use of the Johnson & Johnson vaccine on Tuesday, following the recommendation of the Centers of Disease Control and the Food and Drug Association. "Upon the CDC recommendations and in consultation with the Louisiana and Mississippi Departments of Health, we have immediately halted use of the J&J vaccine,” Dr. Stephen Gremillion, chief medical officer of the Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady Health System, said in a statement.

Weddings will now be allowed to be celebrated on Saturday evenings in the Diocese of Baton Rouge, effective upon the decree’s publication in The Catholic Commentator.