What would Archbishop Lefebvre Do?

JMJ

There is, amongst many faithful Traditional Catholics, a desire to arrive at an understanding of what Archibishop Lefebvre (+1991) would do today in response to the overtures and tricks of Rome as well as the antics of those in positions of authority within the Catholic Church.

In order to do so, they sift through the actions, writings, speeches, and sermons of the Archbishop. In their eagerness for guidance and consolation, they latch on to items that seem to confirm their own opinions and decisions.

For example, I have repeatedly encountered the statement that the Archbishop stated that there can be no canonical regularization without a doctrinal agreement.

This is a dream.

The Archbishop never issued these words. This principle was formulated by a General Chapter of the SSPX and was used early on to guide the discussions with Rome. When it became obvious that it would force the SSPX to contradict the Catholic Doctrine of obedience, it was abandoned.

So the reality is that the Archbishop never issued a statement that stated "no canonical regularization without a doctrinal agreement". This is an inference from a narrow selection of the statements made by the Archbishop.

How to know the mind of the Archbishop is, without examining and memorizing ALL of the statements he made from 1960 until his death is an insurmountable task.

The easier way is to seek to understand the principles that he applied in understanding and acting as a Catholic prelate in this crisis.

From my perspective, perhaps the key principle is obedience.

We have a perfect example of this in how the Archbishop reacted at one of the first 'resistance' movements that manifested itself within the SSPX when they disagreed with the path of the Superior General: The Sedevacantists. Here is an excerpt of the Archbishop's explanation:

The basic principle of the Society’s thinking and action in the painful crisis the Church is going through is the principle taught by St. Thomas Aquinas in the Summa Theologica (II, II, q. 33, a.4). That one may not oppose the authority of the Church except in the case of imminent danger to the Faith. Now, there is no danger for the Faith in the liturgy of Pope Pius XII and Pope John XXIII, whereas there is great danger for the Faith in the liturgy of Pope Paul VI, which is unacceptable. (Tradicat)

This principle is discussed in detail by St. Thomas in the Summa II, II, Q104, which I have examined in detail in the series Breaking down St. Thomas' teaching on obedience as well as other articles.

We live in an atmosphere the reeks of disobedience from the highest level of the Church to the lowest level of society. In practically all places, those who should be obedient to God's Law and His Church are disobeying, even the Pope.

So what do I believe Archbishop Lefebvre would do when witnessing:

Some of his sons abandoning Catholic Dogma, Doctrine, Principles and Discipline.
Orders that he fostered and sheltered turning and attacking the order he founded.
The Pope's continuing their dereliction of duty and even worse fomenting confusion and the loss of souls.

I believe he would cry.

What he would do after crying will be the subject of another post.

P^3

References

Tradicat: DOCTRINAL PREAMBLE APRIL 15, 2012 VS PROTOCOL 1988

Tradicat: One and Two Years after the Consecrations

Tradicat: The SSPX and the Conversion of Rome - Fr. Robinson

Tradicat: A Look Back: The Nov/Dec Fideliter Interview

Tradicat: SSPX Declaration of 2006

Tradicat: Why the SSPX uses the 1962 missal

Tradicat: Articles on Obedience

Tradicat: Articles on Catholic Principles

Tradicat: The Principle of Obedience and the SSPX

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.

Tradicat

Search This Blog