Tradicat

+ JMJ Update: I just found on La PorteLatine a timeline in french! http://laportelatine.org/vatican/sanctions_indults_discussions/sanctions_indults_discussions.php This timeline will be a long 'look back' over the 40 + year history of interactions between Rome and SSPX. I intend to put a link to it in the 'pages' bar as I update it. I started a couple of similar timelines: http://tradicat.blogspot.ca/2015/10/rome-sspx-relations-timeline.html http://tradicat.blogspot.ca/2014/07/rome-and-sspx-timeline-work-in-progress.html P^3

+ JMJ The suppression of the SSPX is a warm to hot topic depending on with whom you are discussing it. However, it is an important topic  as it shows (as the FFI now know) the extent of the hatred for 'Tradition'. P^3 Courtesy of SSPX.org

+ JMJ This was a momentous occasion - but not a rabidly rebellious one.  I have this from a first hand witness who flew to Econe for the consecrations. I wish I had gone with him!!! P^3

+ JMJ More context! P^3 Courtesy of SSPXasia

+ JMJ The perspective from Bishop Fellay - looking back over the 25 years since the consecrations. P^3

+ JMJ Perspective is critical to keeping one's balance during this crisis. P^3

+ JMJ More on the motivations for the consecrations. P^3

+ JMJ Arrive at the principles that guide a person's decisions and then you can determine the good of their actions. Hence the reason for my focusing on the 'Look Back' series this month. P^3

+ JMJ Archbishop Lefebvre's & SSPX's superiors' letter to Pope John Paul II This letter was composed in June 1988 by the various superiors of the SSPX summarizing the causes of the failure of the discussions from 1987 to 1988 on the part of the liberal Roman authorities, as well as the fact that the papal mandate for consecrating a bishop had already been implicitly given.

+ JMJ Things have objectively changed in the Church. Whereas in the 70s, 80s, 90s and early into the 21st century, the SSPX stood alone as the only work of the Church (sorry Sede's - I believe your rejection of the Pope et al disqualifies you) that was explicitly talking about the crisis - there are now other Bishops and Cardinals who are adding their voices. It's nice to not be quite so alone ... P^3 Bishop Schneider - A Glimmer of Hope

+ JMJ In much of the furor over the status of the SSPX and the consecrations of 1988, the reasons why the Archbishop undertook this gigantic step in the face of severe opposition is lost. Here is a compendium of some articles to provide some perspective. P^3

+ JMJ Courtesy of SSPXasia Superior general Letter # 59 to Friends and Benefactors November 1, 2000 Dear Friends and Benefactors, Thirty years ago on the first of November 1970, Bishop Charrière of Fribourg in Switzerland signed the Decree of Erection of the society of St. Pius X. What a series of events the Society has seen since then! Starting with the Church’s recognition and praise of the Society in its early days, both at diocesan level in the first dioceses where it was set up, and at pontifical level in Rome. Within two years of the Society’s erection, the Vatican itself was undertaking the first steps towards granting the Society pontifical status at a time when it was setting up its first priests overseas. After this promising start there soon came years of trial. While the Seminary in Ecône was fast filling, Church authorities on high prepared to cause trouble. In 1974, Bishop Etchegaray told some Catholics: “In six months, Ecône will be dead and buried”. So o...

+ JMJ ... isn't worth a damn. The thought that Hell is empty has resurfaced with the elevation of Bishop Barron to the Episcopacy. Here's an article (bad) about this particular issue: Commonweal: Hell - population zero And here's the antidote: Unam Sancatam Catholicam: Predestination Blog for Dallas Area Catholics

+ JMJ Courtesy of SSPXasia Superior general Letter # 60 to Friends and Benefactors May 5, 2001 Feast of St. Pius V Dear Friends and Benefactors, This letter is coming to you somewhat late. We did not wish it to reach you before we could give you news as accurate as possible on the state of our relations with Rome. It seems to us that the time has now come to assess the situation. Many rumours have been circulating, a number of them false. Also we are aware of how much is at stake, and how decisive it can be for our future. We will lay out here various aspects of the question.

+ JMJ Courtesy of SSPXasia A Letter of Bishop Fellay  to Cardinal Castrillon Menzingen, Switzerland  June 22, 2001 Most Eminent Lord, It is with my eyes fixed on the Sacred Heart, whose feast we celebrate today according to his own desire, that I implore, of His mercy, that it might deign to impregnate the lines that follow with His light and His charity. The Jesuit, Bishop Pierre Henrici, at the time secretary of  Communio , said in a conference on the development of the Council that at Vatican II two theological traditions, that are deep down incomprehensible to one another, entered into collision. Your letter of May 7 caused me similar sentiments of incomprehension and of disappointment. We have the impression that you are trying to force us to make a choice: either we are to enter into full communion, and then we must be silent concerning the great evils that afflict the Church, that is in the absence of a golden cage, we must accept a muzzle; or we...

+ JMJ The SSPX has its fair share of critics and, sadly, Mr. Voris has jumped on this particular bandwagon with his normal gusto. Here's  a repeat article - just to refresh the topic as I suspect Mr. Voris will be having conniptions during the 'Year of Mercy'. P^3 Courtesy of SSPX.org

+ JMJ Courtesy of SSPXasia PRIESTLY FRATERNITY OF SAINT PIUS X Statement of Bishop Fellay to SSPX Members and Friends, January 22, 2001 (Official Translation) In August, at the end of last summer's pilgrimage to Rome, Cardinal Castrillon Hoyos had a first direct contact with the Society's Bishops. During the month of November the same Cardinal, under a mandate from Pope John Paul II, invited the Superior General to come to see him 'to prepare a visit with the Pope". On December 29, Cardinal Castrillon proposed to Bishop Fellay different elements that could serve towards a possible agreement between Rome and the Society. The Superior General expressed his point of view, his distrust, his apprehension. (Although never before had Rome gone so far in favor of Tradition). On December 30, for a few seconds, the Superior General saw the Pope in his private chapel. (No words of importance were exchanged). On January 13 there was a special meeting of the ...

+ JMJ Courtesy of DICI.org The Useful Lesson from the Recent Trial 22-10-2012   Filed under  From Tradition ,  News On Saturday, October 13, 2012, on the occasion of the “Tradition Days” in Villepreux (France), Bishop Alfonso de Galarreta gave this conference, in which he analyzes the state of the relations of the Society of Saint Pius X with Rome.  Dear confreres, dear religious, very dear faithful, dear friends, My intention is to speak to you about the qualities of the spiritual, Christian, Catholic militia, about the conditions that the combat for the faith must assume, and obviously to tell you a few words about the situation of the Society vis-à-vis Rome. The Book of Job says:   “Militia est vita hominis super terram et sicut dies mercenarii dies ejus”  (Job 7:1).  Man’s life on earth is a time of military service, and his days are like those of a mercenary.  This is Scripture, the Book of Job, that offers t...

+ JMJ Courtesy of SSPXAsia

+ JMJ My objective in pulling this content over to this blog is to build a handy reference for understanding the interactions between Rome and the SSPX. I suspect this will take some time :-) P^2 Courtesy of SSPXasia

+ JMJ I believe that True or False Pope   is finally ready for shipping.  I first heard of this project almost two years ago. I think it can't have been released as a better time, as I've been asked questions by some non-trad Catholics that indicate the degree of scandal that Pope Francis is giving or allowing to be given. That said, there is no reason to fear 'sedevacantism', because it isn't some monster stalking you through the night.  It is simply a simple solution to a complex problem that happens to be demonstratably wrong and dangerous to souls. Period. With respect to TorF Pope, there's been a few interviews done of the authors and a new one has been released by Gloria today. You can find it here! P^3

+ JMJ While this is a one sided look back (I'm not privy to all the correspondence and interactions with Rome, I still think it is useful to maintain a broad perspective if one reads the whole document, not just look for bits to support this or that position. P^3

+ JMJ Casting our gaze back further to 2001 P^3

+ JMJ This interview is useful because it provides insight to the principles and motivations of the SSPX in the discussions with Rome. P^3 Courtesy of DICI.org

+ JMJ For better or worse, the plight of Traditional Catholics is intertwined in the fate of the SSPX.  No matter how the non-SSPX trads seek to disassociate themselves from the SSPX, it is a futile effort. The liturgy itself is a distinguishing mark that will lead to the a similar mindset (ie FFI). Here is a joint statement from Mr Matt and Vennari on the 2006 events. It is still useful to look back! P^3 Courtesy of the Remnant

+ JMJ I am putting together a linked timeline for the Rome / SSPX interactions as a reference. P^3 Courtesy of SSPXasia

+ JMJ The agony of the Church is presently due in large part to the inaction of the successors of Peter since the Second Vatican Council to defend the Faith. Frankly, I believe the minor part is their other shenanigans! This in action has altered the perception of their actions - making life confusing for the majority of the Catholics due to their ignorance of the teachings of the Church. Here's a little clarity to help dispel the fog of war! Hope Dr. Feser won't object to my re-blogging the article that was posted on LifeSiteNews! P^3 Courtesy of LifeSiteNews

+ JMJ Early in its existence, Rorate-Caeli demonstrated that it was a reliable and fair venue for accessing news about Traditional Catholicism. It remains so today and that is why it is on my 'blog list' as a trusted source of information on the comings and goings within this crisis. P^3 Source: Rorate-Caeli

+ JMJ A General Chapter is not an event I am likely to ever witness first hand ... because I am not a priest or member of a religious order. However these 'after the Chapter' reports provide some insights to how they are conducted. P^3 Source: Angelus Press

+ JMJ I was listening to a Cd of John Vennari on Battle Joy ( Recapture the Flag: Dedication and Battle Joy - by John Vennari ) and it really captures a key point that Catholics (Traditional and otherwise labelled) need to adopt. We should see this conflict as a chance to prove our mettle for our King and to earn our unending reward.  As veterans we'll be able to talk about the old battles in which we fought and the honour we gained in fighting for our King! Attached is a preview of course that, although secular, contains some of the elements of Battle Joy. P^3 https://www.coursera.org/learn/war/lecture/VDwfk/the-joy-of-battle