Skip to main content

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

Popular posts from this blog

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...

Dogmas of the Catholic Faith (de fide) - Expanded Listing

+ JMJ A friend had mentioned that he has seen a longer list of truths of the Faith than the one I posted here .  I have finally discovered it online. I have yet to completely determine what dogmas were missed in the original, those I have found are highlighted. Source: A List Of The Dogmas Of The Catholic Church - Fr. Carota Alternate Source: Referencing Ott   Posts Listing the Dogmas of the Catholic Church Dogmas of the Catholic Faith (de fide) - Expanded Listing: Answer for Reader (Oct 2022) Updated List of Teachings of the Catholic Church (Oct 2021) *** Dogmas of the Catholic Faith (Oct 2015) De Fide teaching of the Catholic Church (Apr 2013)           *** Latest version    

De Fide Teachings of the Catholic Church (Updated)

+ JMJ  Update: I was reviewing Ott's work directly and noted that some of the Teachings are De Fide while others are different levels of authority (such as Sent Certa etc).  So please refer to Ott for the actual classification). Posts Listing the Dogmas of the Catholic Church Dogmas of the Catholic Faith (de fide) - Expanded Listing: Answer for Reader (Oct 2022) Updated List of Teachings of the Catholic Church (Oct 2021) *** Dogmas of the Catholic Faith (Oct 2015) De Fide teaching of the Catholic Church (Apr 2013)           *** Latest version  

Homily vs Sermon

+ JMJ Something that I've noticed is that Modern Catholics use the phrase 'Homily' instead of 'Sermon'. I've often wondered about this difference. Here's what I found Catholic Encyclopedia (1910) Homily: ...Since Origen's time homily has meant, and still means, a commentary, without formal introduction, division, or conclusion, on some part of Sacred Scripture , the aim being to explain the literal, and evolve the spiritual, meaning of the Sacred Text.  ... Wikipedia Sermon: : A sermon is an oration , lecture , or talk by a member of a religious institution or clergy . Sermons address a scriptural, theological, religious, or moral topic, usually expounding on a type of belief, law, or behavior within both past and present contexts. Elements of the sermon often include exposition, exhortation, and practical application.   Catholic Encyclopedia (1910) Sermon: As to preaching at the present day, we can clearly trace the influe...

Becoming Traditional Catholic Part I

+ JMJ It is a big step from the non-Traditional to Traditional Catholic World. First of all, the Trad world is much smaller, isolated and under siege. This leads to a number of interesting elements that a person making the transition needs to take into account. The Trad World Is Smaller It is a fact that in the states there are about 30,000 Traditional Catholics who support the SSPX and about 3,000 in Canada.  The other Traditionalit orders (FSSP, ICK, etc), I assume, are in the same ball park if not smaller. Let put that in perspective, in my area there are 270,000 non-Traditional Catholics. Consequently, aside from the larger centers,  a Traditional 'Parish' or Mass Centre will be 200 people or less. This has the advantage of being like an extended family and cozy. It has the disadvantage that any crazy 'uncles' in that family will be in plain sight. Be forewarned that any eccentricity that would be drowned in a sea of people in a non-Traditiona...