I am what people would call a “Traditional Catholic” over the past year, despite being employed by a Catholic Diocese I got involved in the SSPX. I became captivated by them and went to their Masses and fell in love with Catholic Tradition. I read a lot on it all, yet despite the official stance of the Church on some SSPX matters I think that in many cases the explanations are not good enough and that the reasons given are not explained in ways the average lay person can understand. I was listening to the SSPX Priests and Bishops (who are all ordained illicitly although validly) on almost every matter and was nearly at the stage of thinking of joining their seminary! I still truly believe that Archbishop Lefebvre did have the right intention in what he was doing and that his own conscience was clear & we owe it to him that there is now usually some sort of Traditional Option still alive in the Post Conciliar Church.
However, as the Church explains to us, the problem is that Lefebvre went against the Pope and ordained 4 bishops without Papal Permission, therefore, they were deemed “invalid”. Before this he waited years from 1971 till 1988 for Papal authority to Ordain/ grant other SSPX Bishops, he was in fairly good standing with Rome but things got a bit awkward despite asking for full Canonical Approval, there was never a proper answer and nothing was happening. Becoming concerned for the future of the SSPX as he was getting old and thought he would die leaving not one Traditional Bishop in 1988 he decided to Consecrate his own Bishops. There are many different views and arguments on the fact that they were truly valid, because Lefebvre believed it was necessary and it was all done according to the proper rites etc. however, after those consecrations Lefebvre and his Bishops were excommunicated. This meant that the faithful in the SSPX were receiving Sacraments such as Confirmation & Reconciliation from excommunicated Bishops, therefore, these were technically not proper and illicit, invalid even- unless the person receiving them was in good faith and totally unaware of the situation- which is possible, although unlikely.
All SSPX Priests are valid priests- without question, people who say they are not are mistaken- an SSPX Mass is a Traditional Catholic Mass and the Body of Christ is truly present in their Tabernacles. The Roman authorities tell us however, as the SSPX don’t have full Canonical recognition (despite all excommunications being lifted by Pope Benedict) they have still not returned to full and total Communion with Rome, therefore as they are not under the authority of the local Bishops, the SSPX Priest cannot validly hear Confessions despite their Masses being valid. The reason for this is that they do not have the proper jurisdictions or faculties granted by the local Ordinary and as the SSPX Bishops are not “Bishops” in the sense of the word, they are illicit, meaning they cannot grant the faculties needed. The same thing goes for Marriages in the SSPX.
I am still very sympathetic toward the SSPX and would happily attend a Mass- as there is nothing forbidding us to do so, and the Mass is valid, although it’s not recommended. When I was very into the Society, I did Confess to one of the Priests- I have to say I was actually convinced it was a true and valid Confession despite knowing the reasons why it was not. I am 100% loyal to Rome and to the Pope, therefore I accept now without question this was wrong of me and I have put right what I did wrong through a valid Confession. The problem for me is I don’t understand how the Church can say the SSPX are valid Priests and that their Masses are 100% valid and there’s no question about it, yet we can’t confess to a “valid Priest” or get married by a “valid Priest”. It’s very strange! I know and I have read the reasons for it all but if I am truly honest it’s strange to say you can do one thing yet not do another- this situation needs to be clarified- the other thing is…the SSPX have regular permission to say Mass in shrines such as Lourdes and Fatima, using the main Churches and are allowed to hold Confessions- look it up if anyone doesn’t believe me…yet we are told their Confessions are not valid? I find it very strange.
Let’s just pray that any misunderstanding will be sorted out and that the mainstream SSPX will fully return to Rome. Sadly one of the 4 Bishops, Bishop Williamson has gone a little bit crazy and has been expelled from the Society. On matters of pure faith and doctrine he is wonderful and a great preacher but his problem is that he puts his own opinions into everything and was causing problems by critising he Pope and other Bishops !
me thinks that the power of the Keys was given to an individual…Let me check on that…