Rome, SSPX and Pope Francis

JMJ

I apply Catholic principles in my evaluation of any regularization of the SSPX. This is simple and clear.

A Future Canonical Regularization of the SSPX

If there is only a remote occasion of sin, then the SSPX would be obliged to obey and submit to a canonical regularization of their situation within the Church.

Here's a refresher on Proximate and Remote occasions of sin:

Proximate occasion (De poenit. disp. 14, n. 149) as one in which men of like caliber for the most part fall into mortal sin, or one in which experience points to the same result from the special weakness of a particular person.
Remote occasion lacks these elements. Tradicat Article

In the case of a regularization what constitutes a 'proximate' occasion of sin?

If one compromises doctrine - ie accepting V2 and the New Mass without reservation / distinctions - probably a mortal sin against the Faith. This is just my opinion and not one that I've researched in great depth.

This is where all the Ecclesia Dei communities differ from the SSPX. They compromised in one way or another on these two principles.

With regards to the SSPX, I fail to understand how a "no-compromise / continue exactly as you are but with ordinary jurisdiction regularization" constitutes an immediate or proximate mortal sin.

I am not blind to the risks in accepting such a regularization, but I am equally not blind to the risks of remaining in the current situation. The doctrinal aberrations of the Sedevacantists and "Resistance" make that clear.

So, I agree with St. Thomas Aquinas. If after examining the details the leader of the SSPX cannot detect a compromise (immediate or proximate) in the points mentioned - I believe that they would be obliged to obey and accept a canonical regularization.

However, I likewise have noted that the "no-compromise / continue exactly as you are but with ordinary jurisdiction regularization" has not materialized.

As recently as two weeks ago, Bishop Fellay sat down with both Cardinal Mueller and Archbishop Pozzo. He pointed out the contradiction between their two public statements. The contradiction remains. In addition, the requirement of having the local ordinaries permission for new foundations has been reintroduced.

So we have:

Lack of clarity concerning acceptance of the New Mass and V2
Submission to local ordinaries for new foundations

These two elements alone are what I would call 'deal breakers' as they represent compromises in Church Doctrine (ie Faith) and being unable to respond to the needs of the Faithful when under attack by wicked prelates.

So don't look for the SSPX to accept any agreement with that kind of compromise.

Fundamentally, I've been told, this is about doctrine. The barrier is about accepting the Second Vatican Council and the Liturgy that embodies the documents of the Council.

Until Rome accepts unequivocally that the SSPX does not have to accept without reservations that Second Vatican Council, New Mass and various post-council shenanigans (which I would posit is a doctrinal agreement), there will be no deal.

The Pope - A Source of Confusion

With regards to the Pope, to quote Jane Austen "I hear such different accounts of you as puzzle me exceedingly".

Why offer the SSPX such an agreement that appears to contradict his intentions / beliefs?

For example we have this ditty:

Pope, in interview, laments ‘rigidity’ of youth who prefer Latin Mass
...
He also discussed the sacred liturgy. Crux reported:
Asked about the liturgy, Pope Francis insisted the Mass reformed after the Second Vatican Council is here to stay and “to speak of a ‘reform of the reform’ is an error.”
In authorizing regular use of the older Mass, now referred to as the “extraordinary form,” now-retired Pope Benedict XVI was “magnanimous” toward those attached to the old liturgy, he said. “But it is an exception.”
Pope Francis told Father Spadaro he wonders why some young people, who were not raised with the old Latin Mass, nevertheless prefer it.
“And I ask myself: Why so much rigidity? Dig, dig, this rigidity always hides something, insecurity or even something else. Rigidity is defensive. True love is not rigid.”

Source: Catholic Culture / Catholic World News

Perhaps the Pope is just as confused about the SSPX as they are about him?

Possible.

More likely is that there are people within the SSPX that are trying to fix this situation with the SSPX because "they only believe what the Church has taught authoritatively".

Somehow they are working to convince the Pope to be merciful to the SSPX.

I've heard other theories - but don't have time to delve into them now ... as I am retired!

Use I'm a Re-Trad (humour)!

Conclusion

We have a long way to go ... all we have to do is work to save our souls by following the teaching of the Church.

P^3

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...

Cathinfo and the 'resistance' perspective (updated with response to comment)

+ JMJ Matthew, the owner of Cathinfo - a resistance forum has posted a response to a person that indicated his reasons for continuing to go to the SSPX.

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

Australia: Seal of the Confessional Outlawed at the Federal Level

+ JMJ This is simply another step in the attack on the Catholic Church. Interestingly, California's attempt to do the same failed. P^3 Courtesy of FSSPX.news Australia: Seal of the Confessional Outlawed at the Federal Level December 19, 2019 Source: fsspx.news On December 2, 2019, the Australian Conference of Bishops (ACBC) denounced the agreement between the Attorneys General of each state and the Australian federal government, with the aim of standardizing the laws imposing on priests the obligation to denounce any alleged fact of ill-treatment of minors that would be learned in the context of the sacrament of penance. “Counterproductive and unjust” are the terms with which Archbishop Mark Coleridge, Archbishop of Brisbane and President of the ACBC, denounced the new prejudicial legal norms on the sacramental seal of the confessional in Australia. The attorneys gener...

Rorate-Caeli: SSPX Episcopal Consecrations – Ignoring the Past

+ JMJ My current thoughts on the eventual consecration of new bishops by the SSPX. It is not a matter of if but when. The SSPX will ask for permission from Rome. #2 is what faithful non-schismatic / non-sedevacantist Catholics will do. It is ludicrous to say that one can't accept a bishop that Pope Francis gives permission to be consecrated. What if Pope St. John Paul II had given permission for the four consecrated in 1988? Rome may or may not give permission ... but ... This may be taken as an opportunity to restart discussions Pope Francis is just the type of person to do it. So what? We need to pray because as long as the SSPX is not given a no-compromise regularization, the Church is not on a path to recover from the current crisis. End Stop. P^3 Courtesy of RORATE CÆLI: “SSPX Episcopal Consecrations – Ignoring the Past” – Guest article by Joseph Bevan “SSPX Episcopal Consecrations – Ignoring the Past” – Guest article by Joseph Bevan...

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