Bishop James Beckman of Knoxville, Tennessee, has revoked the faculties of Fr David Mary Engo who has associated himself with the Priestly Fraternity of St. Pius X (FSSPX), “He is not authorized to exercise public priestly ministry anywhere within the Diocese of Knoxville.” David Mary Engo was ordained a priest in 1997 by then-Bishop Seán P. O’Malley of Fall River, the future Cardinal of Boston. His religious and community status has a somewhat complicated history. He was incardinated into the Diocese of Fort Wayne–South Bend in 2010, while simultaneously being excardinated from the Diocese of Fall River, Massachusetts. Engo founded a Franciscan community in 2009, professed perpetual vows, and served as the community’s Minister General. In May 2017, he resigned as Minister General and withdrew to a hermitage. By 2021, Engo was described by the Diocese of Knoxville’s newspaper as a Franciscan hermit living in the Diocese of Helena, Montana. Engo subsequently ministered in the Diocese of …

Bishop James Beckman of Knoxville, Tennessee, has revoked the faculties of Fr David Mary Engo who has associated himself with the Priestly Fraternity of St. Pius X (FSSPX),

“He is not authorized to exercise public priestly ministry anywhere within the Diocese of Knoxville.”

David Mary Engo was ordained a priest in 1997 by then-Bishop Seán P. O’Malley of Fall River, the future Cardinal of Boston. His religious and community status has a somewhat complicated history.

He was incardinated into the Diocese of Fort Wayne–South Bend in 2010, while simultaneously being excardinated from the Diocese of Fall River, Massachusetts.

Engo founded a Franciscan community in 2009, professed perpetual vows, and served as the community’s Minister General. In May 2017, he resigned as Minister General and withdrew to a hermitage.

By 2021, Engo was described by the Diocese of Knoxville’s newspaper as a Franciscan hermit living in the Diocese of Helena, Montana.

Engo subsequently ministered in the Diocese of Knoxville. Beginning in December 2023, he served as parish administrator of Holy Cross Parish. In May 2025, the Diocese of Knoxville announced his appointment as chaplain to the Handmaids of the Precious Blood.

On October 2, the Diocese of Knoxville published the statement that he has associated with the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X (FSSPX).

“Effective immediately, the Bishop of Knoxville has withdrawn all faculties, permissions, and authorizations previously granted to Fr. David Mary for ministry within the Diocese of Knoxville.”

In Knowville, all diocesan traditional Latin Masses were suppressed on January 1, 2026.

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