Skip to main content

Remember the Hawaii Six case? - SSPX.org

Catholics who are just discovering the traditions of the Church (doctrinal as well as liturgical) are probably not aware of those who have beaten the path for them.

Attached below is an article about six of the intrepid Catholics who knew right from wrong and faced down the accusation of schism.

P^3

Courtesy of SSPX.org

Remember the Hawaii Six case?

January 15, 2014 
District of the US
This 1993 landmark canonical case in the United States proved that attending Mass or receiving the sacraments at an SSPX chapel was not considered a schismatic act, let alone worthy of excommunication.
(The image above, taken circa 2002, shows the surviving Hawaii Six members with the then USA District Superior, Fr. John Fullerton. Mrs. Patricia Morley had passed away just 3 years after publication of the so-called "Ratzinger Decree).
It was nearly 20 years ago in January of 1993 when Cardinal Joseph Ratzinger (then Prefect for the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith and future Pope Benedict XVI) instructed the United State's Apostolic Nuncio, Archbishop Agostino Cacciavillan, to inform the Bishop of Honolulu, Joseph Ferrario, that his decree of excommunication against six Catholics was invalid. The supposed crime of the "Hawaii Six": attending Mass at a chapel of the Society of St. Pius X and obtaining the sacrament of confirmation from one of its bishops.
The "Ratzinger Decree" (as it became known) should have been the end of the matter, but the Apostolic Nuncio decided to insert further intrigue into the matter — forcing the cardinal to intervene again.
  • The Hawaii Six: In Memoriam, commemorating in 2011 the recent passing away of several of the Hawaii Six
  • The Hawaii Six and the Ratzinger Decree, the original article on the topic which includes a PDF of the various documents
This canonical case and its implications has particular importance in light ofArchbishop Mueller's recent comments concerning the SSPX.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

The Curious Case of Steve Skojec and the Dangers of Deep Diving into the Crisis Sub-Titled: The Failings of Others

 + JMJ It's been a while now since Steve Skojec sold 1P5 and abandoned the Catholic Faith. I've been a 'Trad' since 1982 and in those 40+ years I seen this death-spiral before with a similar end point. It seems that anyone who jumps into the fray unprepared for the enormous task of righting wrongs will, eventually, become discouraged by not the task but the people who surround them.   I remember when Skojec complained of the treatment his family received from a traditional priest.  This seems to have been the start of the end for him. So what can we learn from the likes of Steve Skojec, Michael Voris (maybe?), Louie Verrecchio, Gerry Matatix and other celebrity Catholics? Probably quite a lot about what not to do. First, don't burn out on the crisis?  When you burn out, on work or anything else, little things assume a more greater importance than they are due.   This is one of my 'canary in the coal mine' signals that I've been stretching myself too th...

Communique about Avrille Dominicans - SSPX.org

+ JMJ Having completed the review of the 'Avrille' perspective, this communique from the French District Superior is perfectly timed. I believe that the 'resistance' has lost rationality and further argumentation simply results in their holding on to their false ideal all the more firmly. Pray much ... First, for them to acquiesce to the grace of humility in order to obtain a clear perspective on the principles involved. Second, that we may remain faithful to the Church, and Her Dogmas, Doctrines and Principles. Lest we become that which against we strove ... P^3 Courtesy of SSPX.org

Morning and Evening and other sundry Prayers

+ JMJ Along the theme of P^3 (Prayer, Penance, Patience), and for my own reference ... here is a collection of Morning and Evening prayers from the Ideal Daily Missal along with some additional prayers. In this crisis of the Church, I do not think it is possible to do too much prayer, penance and have patience. P^3

A Reply to Martin Blackshaw’s FLAWED Remnant article titled: FLAWED: SSPX Advice on Abortion-tainted Vaccines

 + JMJ    An article has appeared in the Remnant (link to article) and I am afraid that there are a number of flaws in it that need to be addressed. The author, Martin Blackshaw, believes that both the Church and the SSPX are misapplying the principle of Moral Theology called 'Cooperation In Evil'.  Unfortunately, Mr. Blackshaw rests most of his arguments on citing authors that support his position, without considering the possibility that they are wrong. This highlights a key factor in this crisis: ignorance of the faith and its application . I don't am not singling out Mr. Blackshaw for this criticism, I have observed that it applies to laity and religious, superior and subject a like.  No one seems immune in this enduring crisis, myself included.  I further believe that this ignorance is why so many Catholics, both traditional and non, rely on their gut feeling or "Catholic conscience" for charting their way through this crisis of the faith.  While...

Magisterium and Levels of Assent

+ JMJ Understanding the levels of assent to be given to the teachings of the Church is a critical success factor in walking the knife's edge during this crisis of the Church.  The levels of assent are generally associated with the theological grades of certainty, which are not surprisingly mirrored by the censures for contravening the teachings of the various levels.