Skip to main content

Posts

Featured Post

Rome and SSPX 2026: Here We Go Again!!! (Part 2)

 + JMJ Introduction In Part 1, after reviewing sources and historical documents, I concluded that disobedience to a direct order from the Pope is not, in and of itself, a schismatic act.  More is needed: In this case the person is guilty of disobedience, but not of schism, even though he persists in his refusal; for he rejects a commandment of the Church, not the head of the Church. The SSPX has manifestly not rejected the head of the Church, see  FSSPX.news: Letter to the Holy Father regarding the Decree of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith . ... What the Society of Saint Pius X has done, and will continue to do, is nothing other than an extraordinary initiative for the salvation of souls, amidst the doctrinal and moral confusion into which the Church is plunged. We in no way claim to substitute ourselves for the Church, and we have no ambition other than to remain faithful to her. ...  In conscience, we did not believe we could evade the moral duty we ow...
Recent posts

Old News and Half Truths

 + JMJ With the new consecrations, old news and half truths are flooding the internet. How about we look at some of them: Vatican recognition of Orthodox sacraments (New) Orthodox Churches Are Not in Formal Schism — While not in full communion with Rome, ...  Tradicat: I guess they didn't ask if the Orthodox accept Pope Leo XIV as the Vicar of Christ etc. Also I'm not certain if it is all the various branches or just one or two. https://www.ncregister.com/cna/why-does-the-vatican-recognize-orthodox-marriages-but-not-those-of-the-sspx https://www.eurasiareview.com/10072026-vatican-recognition-of-orthodox-marriages-vs-sspx-whats-the-difference-analysis/ The SSPX is in schism (Old News) Given how the Vatican backed off on the schism accusation over the years following the 1988 consecrations My own evidence of 'Not in Full Communion' status  The Orthodox are no longer Schismatics but 'Not in Full Communion' (see above)  'Not in Full Communion' being used as ...

SSPX.ca: What is the position of the SSPX on Vatican II???

 + JMJ With all the mis-information about the SSPX rejecting the Second Vatican Council, I thought it would be useful to publish an article that focuses on the real issues that the SSPX has identified. Update: Why Did the SSPX Consecrate Bishops? ( Neither Schismatic, Nor Disobedient link ) In the linked document the SSPX outlined the key motivation and core issues with Vatican II and the post-conciliar magisterium (see above link for full document): 4. The Society Acted Precisely Because of the State of Necessity in Which the Faith Finds Itself  In the present situation of the Church, if the Society of Saint Pius X had not carried out the consecrations of July 1st, it would have found itself facing an inevitable alternative: either to disappear gradually, or to accept, at least in fact, the new liturgy as well as the false doctrines of Vatican II and the post-council. Without the consecrations of July 1st, the Fraternity would have found itself, in a few years, without bishop...

I.Media: A Summary of the Various Aspects of the July 1st Consecrations Explained: Rome and the Society of Saint Pius X

 + JMJ Rorate published an article by I.Media ( Rorate link , Original Source ) that annoyed me.   Here's the passages in question with my questions / thoughts:  The Mandate In the Catholic Church, every episcopal consecration must obtain a mandate from the Pope. The selection of a new bishop follows a rigorous procedure carried out by the nuncio — the Pope's ambassador — and the Dicastery for Bishops. They present three candidates to the pontiff, who then makes the final choice and may also choose a bishop not included on this list of three. To proceed with consecrations without a properly issued pontifical mandate constitutes an offense under the rules of currently applicable ecclesiastical law (canon 1013 [of the Code of Canon Law]) . I find it hard to reconcile the lack of response to Chinese consecrations and all the fuss over that of the SSPX (link ). Even Pope Francis gave a blanket reconciliation of the Chinese bishops in 2018 (link) . Then we have more r ec...

What is Tradition?

 + JMJ What Is Tradition? The basic premise, from my perspective, is that what was taught before cannot be contradicted by the 'present' magisterium, only deepened and expanded upon. I recall the Roman theologians called the SSPX protestants while the SSPX called them modernists.  I believe this was all surrounding the concept of Traditon. SSPX's Understanding of Tradition One accusation made against the SSPX is that they don't have a correct understanding of 'Tradition'.  This is how the SSPX understands Tradition: I finally profess that Tradition is not a dead memory, but the living transmission of the doctrine received from the Apostles. It remains living, in distinction to Revelation, which is closed. It is so both in the activity of the Magisterium of the Teaching Church and in the profession of Faith of the Church Taught, of which the sentire cum Ecclesia is the result of the teaching of the Magisterium. Tradition may be called ‘living’, not in the sense t...

Thoughts on the Thoughts of a former SSPX priest

 + JMJ Well Gary Campbell, former SSPX Priest and now laicised has posted a new article on WherePeterIs. https://wherepeteris.com/thoughts-of-a-former-sspx-priest-on-the-july-1-consecrations/ These words stuck out: Heck, they have built a five-star hotel, wine bar, and Walmart on the opposite bank of the Rubicon! They are not in danger of entering a state of schism, for they are  already  in a state of schism. I believe he doth protest too much. All the actual facts indicate that the SSPX was not in a state of schism before July 1st and an examination of the decree of excommunication highlights the either ineptitude of those in charge or a desire to leave the barn door open. The chasm between an act of disobedience and act of schism remains just what is has always been - an inconvenient barrier that person(s) in Rome seek to bridge but appear incapable of succeeding. The SSPX re-stated that they recognize the Pope as the Vicar of Christ and feel obliged by conscience...

A Critical Review of G. Weigel: NCR - The SSPX Leadship Against Scripture and Tradition

 + JMJ Ok, when I first saw this article I picked out a number of flaws that made me a little giddy.  This caused me to consider pulling together some times for a more detailed review. So ... here's my critical review of "The SSPX Leadership Against Scripture and Tradition. For reference, Weigel is commenting on a shorter "Declaration of Catholic Faith Addressed to Pope Leo XIV" (link)  and not the extensive one that followed "Profession of Catholic Faith of the Society of Saint Pius X to Enlighten Souls in the Face of Modern Errors" (link). It would be interesting to see his response to the latter, but this one will suffice. Source: National Catholic Register: The SSPX Leadership Against Scripture and Tradition COMMENTARY: Even if the Society of St. Pius X hits the brakes at the last moment and doesn’t commit formally schismatic acts, the grave problem posed by the SSPX will continue. The Holy See has declared that, if the Society of St. Pius X (SSPX) proc...