CMTV offers its understanding of schism and Tradical responds

JMJ

CMTV has posted its thoughts on schism here. I decided to reply - we'll see if they post my comments. Just in case ... here's what I wrote.

I understand that recently a CMTV moderator stated that the SSPX is formally in schism and that they are all in a state of mortal sin.

Wow, talk about hubris and a lack of catechesis.

P^3

Your theory primarily rests upon what constitutes 'submission' to the Holy Father. Simple disobedience does not constitute an act of schism, it is necessary to deny the Pope's divine right to rule. Now if the Pope had not required the SSPX to compromise on its points of conscience and they continued to refuse to obey a legitimate command (one that met all the conditions for obedience) then you'd have a case.

Concerning 'refusing communion with other Catholics', again there is a problem with the thesis as you have ignored the reasons for their recommending (not forbidding) against attending the New Mass, and seeking the Sacraments from non-ED communities.

The New Mass as promulgated is objectively a 'departure from the Theology of the Mass as defined by the Council of Trent'. As such the SSPX ascribes the label of 'evil' using the definition of an absence of a due good. Please note that this is concerning the rite and not the sacrifice itself. A simple example is that removal of the genuflection by the Priest immediately after the consecration. In the old rite the genuflection demonstrated the belief that the priest alone confected the sacrament and not by the power or faith of the congregation.

The removal of this genuflection is simply one point where the Catholic Theology is not supported and a heretical one is emulated. Similarly, the Ukranian Bishops in Canada have removed the filioque from the Creed in order that it not offend the Schismatic Orthodox. Here, as in the New Order of Mass, we have a suppression of an expression of Catholic belief to favour a non-Catholic belief.

This, ultimately, is the root justification that the SSPX provides for abstaining from attending the New Order of Mass as in this light it constitutes a danger to the Faith as the New Mass is a "banal on the spot fabrication" (quoted Pope Benedict XVI).
So, really this article is more of a caricature of the principles that guide the SSPX than a factual representation.

Now concerning your conclusion that the SSPX is in a state of schism. The CDF does not agree. The CDF states (when asked clearly if they are in a formal state of schsim) that simply they are "not in full communion".

CMTV would do better than to promote an incomplete perspective of the SSPX and go beyond what the CDF has stated concerning their status within the Church. (http://tradicat.blogspot.ca/2015/08/is-sspx-schismatic-like-cmtv-would-like.html )
God bless and keep you in peace of soul.
P^3

Comments

Count Capponi - RIP

+ JMJ I had heard of Count Capponi over the years and was happy to hear a voice crying in the wilderness. I suspect that his conscience was clearer than many. This part of the article caught my attention: Capponi defended the right of Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre to continue his work without the label “schismatic,” which term Capponi rejected, saying: “You cannot apply the standards of the new code of canon law and the mentality of the old code. According to the new code, Lefebvre could do what he did with a Catholic intention, and he did what he did in ‘sincerity’ and invoked the ‘state of emergency’ argument, which the new code permits. You might not like the new code, but it’s what governs the Church.” I know a few people who tried to stir up a fuss when the SSPX cited the New Code in one of the documents with Rome. Yet, the truth is what it is --- the New Code was promulgated by a reigning Pope and flawed as it is ... there are some benefits to its liberality. ...

Is it sinful to attend the Novus Ordo (New Mass) - Is it Sinful to Not Attend the Novus Ordo on Sunday?

+ JMJ A non-SSPX Catholic is upset over the SSPX statements on not attending the Novus Ordo Missae. Ladies and gentlemen, what the SSPX, or at least its website editor, is advocating is a mortal sin against the Third Commandment. Unless the priest deviates from the language of the Sacramentary, the consecration, and thus the rest of Mass is to be considered valid. No one may elect not to attend Mass simply because abuses are occurring therein. Might I suggest that such absenteeism is its own abuse? The Third Commandment binds under mortal sin. Father So-And-So from the SSPX has no authority whatsoever to excuse attendance at Mass, be that Mass ever so unpalatable. Source:Restore DC Catholicism Well, this is interesting. First why does the SSPX issue this statement? Because it is sinful to put your faith in danger by attending a protestant service. It is likewise dangerous to put your faith in danger by attending a protestantized ma...

Those who return to the past are not outside the Church - Rorate Caeli

+ JMJ I had been thinking about putting together a post explaining some of the history of how the SSPX has arrived at its current position. Now I see that Rorate has posted a translated editorial that shows the roots of the SSPX principles. In reading these words, I see patterns and themes that were put forward by Archbishop Lefebvre decades ago. Perhaps his sight was clearer than most. P^3

Fr. Burfitt on Fr. Pfeiffer's Attempted Consecration

+ JMJ Amidst the shadows cast by the publication of Traditionis Custodes, I am working on a map of the 'resistance' splinters to put their reaction in contrast with that of the SSPX. In the midst of this, I just came across Fr. Burfitt letter on the attempted consecration. Breaking it down (see below) items 2 and 3 are key. Just as the consecrating bishop is 'doubtful', even if he hadn't muffed the first attempt, Fr. Pfeiffer remain doubtful and therefore this impacts those men is attempts to 'ordain'. There were rumours that Fr. Pfeiffer was seeking episcopal consecration for years as he cast about for various bishops (also doubtful) to help him achieve this goal. I wonder how he convinced the 'doubtful' bishop to provide (twice) the doubtful consecration. What a mess! This creates a danger to the souls of his followers and wonder where it will end. Will he go full sede and have himself 'elected' pontiff as others have done before him...

SSPX Transfers

+ JMJ Eponymous flow posted the following list of transfers etc. Source: http://eponymousflower.blogspot.com/2020/04/castling-of-leadership-at-sspx.html The departures Bishop Bernard Fellay, the third Superior General until 2018, leaves the General House in Menzingen and moves to the Seminary of St. Thomas Aquinas in the USA. Bishop Bernard Tissier de Mallerais, suffering from ill health, is being referred to the Seminary of St. Pius X in Ecene as a retreat. Fr. Christian Thouvenot, until now Secretary General of the General House, becomes a professor at the seminary in Ecene. Fr. Franz Schmidberger, until now Rector at the Seminary of the Heart of Jesus in Zaitzkofen, moves to the district of Germany. Fr. Jürgen Wegner, until now district superior of the DISTRICT USA, moves to the district of Austria. Fr. Philippe Brunet, until now Superior of the Autonomous House of Spain-Portugal, becomes professor at the Seminary U.L.F. and co-saviour of La Reja in...

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