To the Faithful of the New Ulm Diocese:

In recent weeks there have been a few inquiries as to the status of a chapel in Courtland, Minnesota.

The chapel, in operation since the mid-1990’s, goes by the name of "St. Peter’s Chapel", and some of the residents are identified either as members of "St. Peter’s Community" or as "Oblates of St. Therese". This group has ties to the "Orthodox Roman Catholic Church" based in Necedah, Wisconsin, which is not in union with the Catholic Church.

It has been alleged that some of the Oblates have been soliciting funds from Catholic people in the New Ulm and Mankato areas.

This is to notify all priests, pastoral administrators, parish leaders and faithful of the diocese that the chapel in Courtland has no official (canonical) standing in the Diocese of New Ulm.

The owners of the chapel have been given no authorization by the Diocese of New Ulm for the celebration of the Mass or other sacred celebrations in the chapel, nor has any priest been given faculties by the Diocese of New Ulm authorizing the administration of the sacraments or preaching.

Sincerely in Christ,