SSPX and the Vatican: A Comparison of Ecclesiology

JMJ

Back in 2014, I compared the so-called "Resistance" perception of the Church vs that of the SSPX (link). Given the publication of Traditionis Custodes, it would appear that a comparison the "Modern Catholic" perception of the Church vs the Teaching of the Church is warranted.

While I have titled this article as a comparison of the SSPX and Vatican's ecclesiology, I submit that the SSPX's perspective is nothing less or more than that of the Catholic Church before the Second Vatican Council.

The Church

Before Council:The Catholic Church IS the Church of Christ
Post Council: The Catholic Church SUBSISTS in the Church of Christ
Consequence: The Catholic Church is active in other communities (ie Churches) outside the Catholic Church and the other 'Churches' are vehicles of salvation.

Members of the Church

Before Council: Actual members are the baptized, who profess the true faith (not heretics), are united to the Mystical Body of Christ (not schismatic) or been excluded (excommunicated). Baptized non-Catholics before the age of reason are considered members of the Catholic Church per se. Also, there is a possibility for people to be united to the soul of the Church in re.
Post Council: The distinction of schismatic and heretical are subsumed in the 'not full communion' which is a sliding scale of membership.
Consequence: The Church has members everywhere and they don't know it. So ecumenism is not an ecumenism of return but of common journey. ... or something along those lines.

Suffice to say ... its a mess.

P^3

For further reading:

https://tradicat.blogspot.com/2016/03/the-new-ecclesiology-and-subsistit.html

Comments

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