Bit worried now

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Heather777

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Hello everyone,

Almost two years ago I started looking into the Catholic Church, Last year I resigned as an Elder in my Church, as I realised that the Catholic Church really as the only true Church… With work and other commitments etc it has taken some time to complete the Catechism/Instruction, but finally I am almost there!

My co- worker who introduced me to her Priest did say in the beginning that she was a Traditional Catholic, but I really had no idea what that meant. He is a really lovely Priest; he has been very kind and patient with me. I attend the Latin Mass which is so beautiful.
One thing that concerns me now though, I recently read a thread on this board about the SSPX, and that their confessions etc are not valid. So I’m a little bit concerned.The Priest I have been receiving instruction from is not SSPX but is affiliated with them.So would the invalid confession still apply to a Priest who was only affiliated with them?
I really like the Priest and the people I have met since attending the Mass,and I am very comfortable with them, would it be so bad if I remained with them?
I would appreciate some sound advice on this matter
Many Thanks,
Heather
 
Personally, for my own peace of mind I’d probably look into another Catholic Church. Being “affiliated” with the SSPX group is to be a part of them. At least, that’s my understanding.
 
You may want to ask your friend to clarify what she means by “affiliated with them”. The SSPX are an order of priests and deacons, along with their bishop, who had a disagreement with the rest of the Catholic Church about Vatican 2. There is a significant group of them that returned to full Communion in the Church, within an order called the FSSP.

While the status of the SSPX is a bit gray right now, generally, it is thought that their Masses are valid, but confessions, marriages, etc may not be.

This is from Fr.Z, a Catholic priest who serves the Traditional Mass in full Communion with the Church and is well-versed in the situation:
That said, some time ago there was a statement from the Holy See that attending Mass at chapels that were loosely associated with the SSPX did NOT fulfill the Sunday obligation. So, make sure it is truly an SSPX chapel.
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So if you are emotionally or socially attached to attending here, you would need to go to confession at a regular parish.

However, as you are a fairly new Catholic, the spiritual harm from going to Liturgy with a group that is in a non-canonical status with the rest of the Church can be great. I would not recommend this.
 
Heather, you need to find out if the priest and the parish you are attending is in full communion with the Catholic Church or not. Look for the website or office of the Catholic bishop in your area and ask them.
 
There’s a website of your diocese that has all of its parishes listed on it. A parish outside of the CC or in irregular status wouldn’t be on it.

I would have zero presence with any clergy that are in irregular status. If they’re not part of the diocese, go somewhere else.
 
I agree with my brothers and sisters. Please make sure you are receiving the Sacraments by a priest who is in FULL COMMUNION with the Roman Catholic Church and our Holy Father Pope Francis. Anything else is not exactly the “true church” you have been called to by God. While one can still worship and serve God outside of the Church they can only recieve the Sacraments through that blessed body of Christ formed together and known as The Holy Roman Catholic Church.

May God lead you into all truths -

Zachary
 
Heather777 said:
Hello everyone,

Almost two years ago I started looking into the Catholic Church, Last year I resigned as an Elder in my Church, as I realised that the Catholic Church really as the only true Church… With work and other commitments etc it has taken some time to complete the Catechism/Instruction, but finally I am almost there!

My co- worker who introduced me to her Priest did say in the beginning that she was a Traditional Catholic, but I really had no idea what that meant. He is a really lovely Priest; he has been very kind and patient with me. I attend the Latin Mass which is so beautiful.
One thing that concerns me now though, I recently read a thread on this board about the SSPX, and that their confessions etc are not valid. So I’m a little bit concerned.The Priest I have been receiving instruction from is not SSPX but is affiliated with them.So would the invalid confession still apply to a Priest who was only affiliated with them?
I really like the Priest and the people I have met since attending the Mass,and I am very comfortable with them, would it be so bad if I remained with them?
I would appreciate some sound advice on this matter
Many Thanks,
Heather
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Yes, it would be very bad. I think you should immediately contact a local Catholic Parish Priest and talk all this over with him. He may want to ask you a few questions, he may ask you to attend regular RCIA, I don’t know anything myself about the status of SSPX sacraments. That is one of the things you will want to ask your new pastor. Anyway SSPX is definitely under a cloud. Until they are reconciled to the Roman Catholic Church you should stay away from them.
No doubt they are nice people, so are Protestants, Jews, etc., but really, really confused.

Linus2nd
 
Heather777, I see you are in the UK. The FSSP has a couple locations in England (link) and several more in Scotland (link). You can find more Traditional Mass listings and other resources at the Latin Mass Society of England and Wales, which also serves Scotland and Ireland.

And I agree with the others, if the priest in question has any sort of association with the SSPX I’d stay away. But make sure that’s the case. Sometimes people confuse the SSPX with the FSSP.
 
That is true, but Catholics may not willy nilly receive their sacraments, they may do so only when it would be imposible or nearly imposibel to attend a Church in union with Rome. However, the status of the SSPX sacraments is in doubt amongst the members of CA. At any rate, you cannot fulfill your Religious obligations by attending SSPX masses and receiving their sacraments. If you stay with SSPX, you will not be in union with Rome. Why begin your Catholic life with a cloud hanging over your head?

Linus2nd
 
Before jumping ship find out what exactly is meant by “affiliated” sometimes words get thrown around either out of ignorance or poor vocabulary, even if with good intentions. Maybe she meant to say he used to be a former member of the SSPX.
 
Ad_Orientem said:
Heather777, I see you are in the UK. The FSSP has a couple locations in England (link) and several more in Scotland (link). You can find more Traditional Mass listings and other resources at the Latin Mass Society of England and Wales, which also serves Scotland and Ireland.

And I agree with the others, if the priest in question has any sort of association with the SSPX I’d stay away. But make sure that’s the case. Sometimes people confuse the SSPX with the FSSP.
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There should be seven FSSPs being ordained as we speak. Televised on EWTN, I understand.
 
TK421 said:
I would have zero presence with any clergy that are in irregular status.
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I hope that’s not in a strict literal sense. Even the Bishops in the PCED have had lunch with Bishop Fellay and some of the SSPX priests.
 
Psalitte said:
Before jumping ship find out what exactly is meant by “affiliated” sometimes words get thrown around either out of ignorance or poor vocabulary, even if with good intentions. Maybe she meant to say he used to be a former member of the SSPX.
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Actually I am not ignorant, neither do I have a poor vocabulary.What I wrote is what I intended to write!.
I think I will seek an answer elsewhere,you seem to be rather judgmental, thank you anyway.
Regards
Heather
 
Christy_Beth said:
Personally, for my own peace of mind I’d probably look into another Catholic Church. Being “affiliated” with the SSPX group is to be a part of them. At least, that’s my understanding.
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Thank you for your advice, it is much appreciated.
Best wishes
Heather
 
SyroMalankara said:
You may want to ask your friend to clarify what she means by “affiliated with them”. The SSPX are an order of priests and deacons, along with their bishop, who had a disagreement with the rest of the Catholic Church about Vatican 2. There is a significant group of them that returned to full Communion in the Church, within an order called the FSSP.

While the status of the SSPX is a bit gray right now, generally, it is thought that their Masses are valid, but confessions, marriages, etc may not be.

This is from Fr.Z, a Catholic priest who serves the Traditional Mass in full Communion with the Church and is well-versed in the situation:So if you are emotionally or socially attached to attending here, you would need to go to confession at a regular parish.

However, as you are a fairly new Catholic, the spiritual harm from going to Liturgy with a group that is in a non-canonical status with the rest of the Church can be great. I would not recommend this.
Click to expand...
Thank you for your help, I think I need to check back with my co-worker to clarify their stance.
Heather
 
Heather777 said:
Actually I am not ignorant, neither do I have a poor vocabulary.What I wrote is what I intended to write!.
I think I will seek an answer elsewhere,you seem to be rather judgmental, thank you anyway.
Regards
Heather
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Whoa, slow down. The poster wasn’t calling you ignorant or having a poor vocabulary. But when we are unfamiliar with specific topics it is easy to not know what you don’t know and to misuse terms. I think all the poster was trying to say is that the status of the parish and priest is unclear, one because you said that he was not a member but still affiliated with the SPPX. But that sentence doesn’t “work” for us, because it is contradictory. The thing we don’t know is why, is it because you don’t know the priests real status, is it because you are unaware of other traditionalist groups that this priest may be a part of, it is a misuse or mishearing SPPX/FSSP or other similar group.
 
jilly4ski said:
Whoa, slow down. The poster wasn’t calling you ignorant or having a poor vocabulary. But when we are unfamiliar with specific topics it is easy to not know what you don’t know and to misuse terms. I think all the poster was trying to say is that the status of the parish and priest is unclear, one because you said that he was not a member but still affiliated with the SPPX. But that sentence doesn’t “work” for us, because it is contradictory. The thing we don’t know is why, is it because you don’t know the priests real status, is it because you are unaware of other traditionalist groups that this priest may be a part of, it is a misuse or mishearing SPPX/FSSP or other similar group.
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I am aware of the difference between SSPX and FSSP

My co -worker said that they are Traditional Catholics who do not agree with the “Modern Church” They only have the Latin Mass and the women have to wear a head covering.They are lovely people, very devout (Mass every day) and I really like the Priest.He always has time to answer any and every question I ask.
 
There is no need to be contentious, dear friend. Everyone knew what I meant and I meant what I said. I do not speak to the lowest common denominator unless I feel like it is absolutely necessary. And really, (though it sometimes feels like it) this should not be a place of showing-off and one-upmanship. Let us put such silly things behind us and proceed with charity.

The Lord of Heaven bless you always -

Zachary
 
Heather777 said:
I am aware of the difference between SSPX and FSSP

My co -worker said that they are Traditional Catholics who do not agree with the “Modern Church” They only have the Latin Mass and the women have to wear a head covering.They are lovely people, very devout (Mass every day) and I really like the Priest.He always has time to answer any and every question I ask.
Click to expand...
Dear sister of Christ, is there a certain answer that you want to be given you? Did you think that Catholics would tell you it’s okay to attend these “Traditionalist” services or that in doing so you would still be a Catholic? The One Holy and Apostolic Church set forth by Jesus Christ and built upon the rock of Peter is The Roman Catholic Church as it operates today. Any organization who denies the current Church or Vatican II or Pope Fracis is not part of The Roman Catholic Church, neither are its adherents. It takes great humility to accept The Church and all it entails and many people have stumbled at this very point and split away from The Vatican including Protestants. If you want to be a “Catholic” then you have to leave this church (most likely from how it sounds) and go to a real Catholic Church. I don’t think this is the answer you want but praise the good God who has brought you here and given you this knowledge before it is too late. Don’t be puffed up with pride or ashamed of error; glorify the good God that He is leading you home, the proper home where you belong.

Go in the grace of Our Lord -

Zachary
 
I believe you are entirely too concerned about what I think. In the first I wasn’t speaking to you and at the last I politely encouraged you to walk charitably. I believe exactly, entirely, and to the letter whatever Rome believes, like most all pious Catholics. Don’t you? Or do you have a dog in this fight?

Most graciously yours -

Zachary
 
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