Could It Be the Hand of Cupich Driving Charlotte? Unpacking the Rhetoric of “Unity” in TLM Restrictions

Traditionis Custodes was issued in 2021, purportedly to unify the Church under a “single and identical prayer.” U.S. bishops have responded in diverse ways. Some have quietly restricted the Traditional Latin Mass (TLM), citing Vatican rules or pastoral priorities. Others, though, have leaned into a specific buzzword: “unity.” This term, while rooted in the Pope’s directive, takes on a unique flavor in the hands of Cardinal Blase Cupich—and, intriguingly, in the recent actions of the dioceses of Charlotte and Tyler. So unique is this coercive weaponized use of “unity” that it’s like a rhetorical fingerprint. So unique is this fingerprint that it begs us to explore whether Cupich is behind the scenes, particularly in Charlotte? Let’s explore.

What Makes Cupich’s “Unity” Stand Out?

Cardinal Cupich has a history with the word “unity” that’s hard to miss. Back in 2002, as Bishop of Rapid City, he famously padlocked a TLM parish on Good Friday, barring parishioners from their church. His reasoning? It was an “invitation to unity,” a call to join him in worship as “one church under one bishop” (reported here citing Rapid City Journal, 2002). Years later, as Cardinal of Chicago, he doubled down. After Traditionis Custodes, he framed TLM restrictions as essential for a “single and identical prayer” to heal division (Pray Tell, 2021), and by 2022, he’d pressured the Institute of Christ the King to suspend their TLM Masses in Chicago.

What’s notable here isn’t just the restrictions, I mean, plenty of bishops have cracked down on the TLM — but the way Cupich wields “unity.” It’s not a vague platitude; it’s a justification, positioning the TLM as a threat to cohesion and restrictions as the cure. Critics call it coercive, a way to strong-arm traditionalists into the Novus Ordo. Whether you agree or not, it’s a rhetorical choice that marks his approach. It’s like a fingerprint.

Cupich’s “Unity” Beyond the Liturgy: A Political and Civic Tool?

Cardinal Cupich doesn’t just lean on “unity” to shape liturgical debates—it’s a Swiss Army knife he pulls out in political and civic contexts too. And boy, does he seem to love this word. It’s not just a buzzword for him; it’s a tactic, often wielded with a coercive edge to nudge people into line. Let’s unpack a few examples:

• 2024 Democratic National Convention: Cupich opened the DNC with a prayer for national unity, calling Americans to “reweave the fabric of America” with “life, freedom, justice, and unbound hope.” Inspiring, right? But here’s the rub: he didn’t touch the DNC’s abortion platform with a ten-foot pole. Some, like Phil Lawler at Catholic Culture, pointed out this “unity” felt more like a wink to progressive allies than a genuine bridge across divides. Coercion? Maybe… it’s unity, but only if you play along with the party line.
• Post-2020 Election Statement: After Biden’s win, Cupich urged Americans to ditch “partisan concerns” for the sake of the common good, praising democratic participation. Unity as a healing balm sounds great… that is, until you notice it papers over fault lines like religious liberty or abortion policy. It’s less a call to dialogue and more a subtle prod: get with the program, or you’re the problem. That’s “unity” with a velvet glove.
• Immigration Advocacy (2024): Speaking at the Basilica of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Cupich framed a “nation united in solidarity” as the moral stance on immigration, spotlighting compassion for migrants. Noble cause, sure. But the undertone? Unity means signing onto his policy vision—think opposition to mass deportations—without much space for counterarguments like border security. Disagree? Then you’re fracturing the unity he’s so fond of. It’s a rhetorical stick dressed up as an olive branch.

Cupich’s “unity” isn’t just a recurring theme. It’s his power move. In each context, he spins it to align with his goals, whether that’s cozying up to political agendas or pushing a singular vision of civic life. Opposition gets cast as disunity, a sin against the collective good he’s defined. Sound familiar? It’s the same playbook he’s used in liturgical battles, like the TLM crackdown—unity as both shield and sword. He doesn’t just like the word; he wields it like a maestro, coaxing, or strong-arming, everyone into the his key. (and everyone else out)

Is This “Unity” Rhetoric Really Unique?

To see if this is Cupich’s fingerprint, let’s compare it to other bishops who’ve restricted the TLM:

• Detroit (2025): Archbishop Edward Weisenburger banned TLM in parish churches, citing Vatican compliance—no mention of “unity.”
• Raleigh (2021): Bishop Luis Rafael Zarama limited weekday TLM, emphasizing holiness and liturgical beauty, not unity.
• Baltimore (2024): Archbishop William Lori, amid closing dozens of parishes, restricted TLM to FSSP Masses, focusing on catechesis for the Novus Ordo transition—again, no “unity” talk.

I could go on and on, but I selected just a few of the many. Even among bishops enforcing Traditionis Custodes stringently, “unity” isn’t a go-to phrase. Most stick to practical or Vatican-driven explanations. Cupich’s spin on it, that is by casting it as a proactive fix for division, stands out like a sore fingerprint.

The Same Footprint in Tyler and Charlotte

Now, let’s look at Tyler and Charlotte, where this “unity” rhetoric pops up like a familiar footprint in the mud:

• Tyler (2024): After Bishop Joseph Strickland’s removal in 2023, Bishop Joe Vásquez stepped in as Apostolic Administrator. He restricted the TLM to one parish, justifying it as a way to promote “greater unity and reflection among the faithful”. Sound familiar?
• Charlotte (2025): Bishop Michael T. Martin, appointed in 2024, confined the TLM to a single chapel, citing the need to “promote the concord and unity of the Church” (Diocese of Charlotte, 2025). The phrasing echoes Cupich almost word-for-word.

This isn’t the standard boilerplate you’d expect from Traditionis Custodes compliance. It’s a specific lens that mirrors Cupich’s playbook: unity as the goal, restrictions as the tool.

It’s worse that Bishop Martin allegedly said “some pain is necessary for unity.” See the fingerprint there?

Timing and Influence: More Than Coincidence?

The plot thickens when you consider the timing. Strickland’s ousting in November 2023 came under scrutiny, with some pointing to his clashes with Vatican priorities — like his TLM support — as the trigger. Who was on the Dicastery for Bishops, advising on such moves? Cardinal Cupich, appointed by Pope Francis in 2016 (you know, he was appointed by three popes, not just Francis). Then there’s Charlotte: Bishop Martin’s appointment in 2024 coincided with chatter about Cupich’s sway over U.S. bishop selections, a topic that heated up when appointments reportedly stalled that year.

Cupich’s role in the Dicastery gives him a direct line to bishop appointments and removals. His alignment with Francis’s liturgical vision — cracking down on the TLM to streamline worship — is no secret. Insiders have long speculated that he’s shaping the U.S. episcopate, though hard proof stays behind closed doors. The “vibes” of his influence were strong enough to raise eyebrows when Vásquez and Martin, both new to their roles, rolled out TLM policies with Cupich-esque flair.

A Fair Question, Not a Slam Dunk

You tell me: could Cupich be driving Charlotte’s approach—and maybe Tyler’s too? The evidence isn’t ironclad, but the pattern’s too striking to dismiss. The “unity” rhetoric isn’t common; it’s a deliberate choice, and its near-identical use in these dioceses feels like a fingerprint tying them to Cupich. Add his Dicastery role and the suspicious timing, and it’s a question worth asking.

That said, we’re not in the room where it happens. No leaked memos or public statements pin Cupich to these decisions. Even if they did, we don’t know if it’s influence by imitation or decree. Local factors or Vatican pressure could explain the overlap too. Still, the fingerprint’s there—sharp, distinct, and hard to unsee. For anyone tracking the TLM’s fate in America, wondering if Cupich’s hand is at work isn’t just fair—it’s unavoidable.

This article, Could It Be the Hand of Cupich Driving Charlotte? Unpacking the Rhetoric of “Unity” in TLM Restrictions is a post from The Bellarmine Forum.
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