The Fork in the Road

JMJ

There remain within the SSPX two bishops of the four consecrated 36 years ago on June 30, 1988.

Bishop Williamson who was expelled in August 2012 near the end of the crisis that resulted in the expunging of the 'resistance' from the SSPX with Williamson going on to consecrate a number of bishops for their 'survival'.

Now Bishop Tissier de Mallerais (RIP) has passed way.

With two bishops to bear the burden of providing, worldwide, the sacraments of Confirmation, Ordinations the workload is significant and increases the risk of loss of another bishop due to a variety of factors.

Because at least one bishop is needed to consecrate more bishops and the Church's normal protocol is for there to be at least two consecrating bishops, the risk to the very existence of the SSPX is now moderate to high. With the loss of another bishop, it would be high.

This presupposes that the SSPX would not be able to obtain the assistance of other legitimate bishops such as Cardinal Burke, Bishop Athanasius Schneider and other traditionally minded bishops.

What does this all mean?

That, by providence, the SSPX has arrived at a new decision point, to request permission to consecrate new bishops from a Pope who, by all appearances, is openly hostile to Traditional Catholicism, yet favourable to the SSPX.

If permission / mandate is refused, then the SSPX will have to consecrate bishops again without mandate and incur a new round of excommunication and an extension of its persecution.

In essence nothing will have changed.

If permission / mandate is provided, then the SSPX will have not only secured its future, but reversed the false narrative that it is a schismatic anachronism that the actions of the SSPX tear apart the "seamless robe of Christ" (link).

In essence everything will have changed.

Pray and make sacrifice that Pope Francis makes a new 'mess' by granting the SSPX the mandate to consecrate four or more new bishops from the priests in its ranks.

P^3

References

Wiki:Richard_Williamson_(bishop)

Comments

Rome,the SSPX and this time of Crisis - Updated

+ JMJ Obviously there's lots of events right now. First we have the April 1st - I almost thought it was April Fools - meeting between Pope Francis and Bishop Fellay. Nothing really news worthy as this is a natural progression as Rome appears to be considering fulfilling Archbishop Lefebvre's wish to 'accept us as we are'. Second we have the April 8th publication of what will be a verbose exhortation of the Synod of the Family. I'm willing to bet that the Pope will give with one hand (unilateral regularization of SSPX) and take with the other (ambiguous document that opens the flood gates of sin further). Much to pray for. P^3

The Vatican and SSPX – An Organizational Culture Perspective

Introduction The recent and continuing interactions between the Vatican and the SSPX have been a great opportunity for prayer and reflection. The basis for the disagreement is theological and not liturgical. As noted by Dr. Lamont (2012), the SSPX theological position on the four key controversial aspects of the Second Vatican Council are base on prior theological work that resulted from relevant magisterial pronouncements. So it is difficult to understand the apparent rejection of the theological position of the SSPX.

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...

Battle Joy

+ 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

SSPX and the Resistance - A Comparison Of Ecclesiology

Shining the light of Church Teaching on the doctrinal positions of the SSPX and the Resistance. Principles are guides used to aid in decision making. It stands to reason that bad principles will lead to bad decisions. The recent interactions between Rome and the SSPX has challenged a number of closely held cultural assumptions of people in both sides of the disagreement. This has resulted in cultural skirmishes in both Rome and the SSPX. Since it is the smaller of the two, the skirmishes have been more evident within the SSPX. The cultural fault-line that Bishop Fellay crossed appears to be linked to two points of Catholic Doctrine: Ecclesiology and Obedience. The cultural difference of view points is strong enough that it has resulted in the expulsion of a number of members. It should also be noted that some other priests expelled since the beginning of the latest interactions (starting in 2000) held the same view points and have joined with the l...

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