SSPX Marriages and Sundry

JMJ

As the 'distance' between Rome and the SSPX lessens, peoples assumptions are going to be tested.

Why? Because, in this conflict (read: Fog of War), the guiding principles have become obscured or lost.

If decisions are made upon unvalidated assumptions, independent of principles, then mistakes will be made.

An example of a mistake is the letter written in La Chardonnet and signed by 7 priests. In this letter they took it upon themselves to put forth their opinions (it was also read from the pulpit), that could be interpreted as being at odds with that of their superiors.

So, here we hit disobedience again.

Here's the key points from the final paragraph that gives us a hint of the underlying issues.

Personal Prelature ... was supposed to recognize us as we are, and to maintain our independence vis-à-vis the local Ordinaries.
First decisions taken consist in unjustly submitting our marriages to these very Ordinaries
Tomorrow the opening of any new Houses will have to meet their approval

Looking at the first and third point we have the 'independence' from the local ordinaries assumption. What we want it to mean and what it can mean are two different things. I prefer to look at what it can mean.

The geographic delegation of authority is Apostolic. This means you need to be very careful when dealing with it, otherwise we could become little modernists in altering the constitution of the Church.

Changing Church doctrine because of our sentiments or distrust of the persons in places of authority is not a good principle, let alone a Catholic one.

Now to address point 2 and a specific aspect of point 3.

It may be an element of FUD, but it seems that they are hinting at a couple of things, but not being specific.

The core element can be summed up as decisions taken to (in their opinion) unjustly submit SSPX marriages and the opening of new priories to the Ordinaries.

In the both cases they are touching upon submission to an authority that is based in Apostolic tradition.

That is strike one.

In the case of marriages, it is necessary that the local ordinaries are made aware of marriages (and perhaps baptisms, deaths) within their dioceses. This is not submission, this is common Church practice.

That is strike two.

Then there is the underlying issue, the implication that the Superiors are doing something wrong. This would their opinion, however they did not provide any evidence in this case - only inuendo. Invoking the FUD principle is a sure sign that they are dealing out opinions that are based on conjecture.

That is strike three.

So what should we do?

Understand the principles - obedience is good place to start
Study the Faith and seek to understand it in context. Don't proof-text.
Pray. A solid Spiritual Life is essential to attaining and maintaining a Godly perspective on this crisis.

P^3

Comments

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