Is attending an SSPX chapel regularly sinful nowadays?

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JuanCarlos

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Happy New Year all.

I was curious, and I couldn’t find anything in the archives, what are the current legislations on attending SSPX churches regularly? The only TLM thats not 2 hours away is SSPX, and I really enjoy that mass.

Note that I’m not attending to create schism, because I believe the NO is inferior, or in rebellion. If there was a licit FSSP or ICK Parish nearby I would of course attend there, but as it stands… well, I live in Los Angeles. Enough said :gopray2:

So, has Ecclesia Dei said anything on the issue as of late?
 
Since the SSPX is schismatic, you aren’t encouraged to attend, and I’m not sure about the Church’s stance regarding the validity of their sacraments.

Sorry I can’t be more specific or point you to an article. Ultimately, though, it’s not worth it.

Drive two hours for the Latin Mass or try to find God in the NO (believe it or not, he IS there 🙂 ).

Peace
 
I know God is in the NO- its just I feel like I can worship God better in the TLM. But I really do love both
 
JuanCarlos said:
what are the current legislations on attending SSPX churches regularly . . . has Ecclesia Dei said anything on the issue as of late?
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I think in general, Catholics are encouraged to break off any ties from the schismatic group. The best article I was able to find in the archives suggests the same:
Recommended Reading:
Could I attend an SSPX funeral?
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Pope John Paul II’s letter Ecclesia Dei (referenced by the above article) states that Archbishop Lefebvre and his priests have been excommunicated and calls for all Catholics to break ties with the group:
I wish especially to make an appeal . . . to all those who until now have been linked in various ways to the movement of Archbishop Lefebvre, that they may fulfil the grave duty of remaining united to the Vicar of Christ in the unity of the Catholic Church, and of ceasing their support in any way for that movement. Everyone should be aware that formal adherence to the schism is a grave offence against God and carries the penalty of excommunication decreed by the Church’s law.
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The last line strikes me as the clincher; personally, I would not attend a SSPX Mass even if no other Mass were available.
 
That was when Ecclesia Dei was first written; I know that Rome and the SSPX’s situation has changed since then. There is an entire commission (also known as Ecclesia Dei) which deals specifically with these issues
 
JuanCarlos said:
That was when Ecclesia Dei was first written; I know that Rome and the SSPX’s situation has changed since then. There is an entire commission (also known as Ecclesia Dei) which deals specifically with these issues
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Changed in what manner? Evidence, please.

JSA+
 
JuanCarlos said:
Happy New Year all.

I was curious, and I couldn’t find anything in the archives, what are the current legislations on attending SSPX churches regularly? The only TLM thats not 2 hours away is SSPX, and I really enjoy that mass.

Note that I’m not attending to create schism, because I believe the NO is inferior, or in rebellion. If there was a licit FSSP or ICK Parish nearby I would of course attend there, but as it stands… well, I live in Los Angeles. Enough said :gopray2:

So, has Ecclesia Dei said anything on the issue as of late?
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Yes, you can go, and I most definitely would if I was in your position. You will however get different opinions regarding this from many of the posters on here. Some in the hierarchy say yes, others say no. The case has not been completely decided, therefore I would say you have to make the decision for yourself. Your situation sounds a lot like this guy’s, and Ecclesia Dei said he could go to an SSPX to fulfill his Sunday Obligation, and could even give financially to the parish:

unavoce.org/articles/2003/perl-011803.htm

Not that this is an official source, but this is what Fr. Z says on the matter:

wdtprs.com/blog/2007/08/q-can-i-go-to-mass-at-an-sspx-chapel/

Also, search the forums. There have been a thousand different threads that have hashed this out already.
 
I won’t say I’m the biggest fan of the SSPX, but I do really enjoy the Tridentine Mass. My Parish is apt to engage in liturgical dancing, large numbers of EMHC (I have attended masses where the EMHC-parishioner ratio was 1:5. I’m not kidding), and other things of that nature.

Both those articles seem to give the ok, albeit with reservation. Thanks for those links though, and thanks for your counsel
 
jflare29 said:
What do FSSP and ICK stand for?

And what does IMHO mean?

John
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Fraternal Society of St. Peter
Institute of Christ the King
(both are licit TLM-oriented priestly societies)

In My Humble Opinion.
 
FSSP = Fraternitas Sacerdotalis Sancti Petri

or The Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter

To the question. No, it is in no way sinful to attend an SSPX mass.
 
I’m in no way affiliated with the SSPX and have never been to one of their Masses. However, it’s worth noting that Cardinal Castrillón Hoyos, who heads up the Ecclesia Dei commission had this to say about them:
The bishops, priests and faithful of the Society of St Pius X are not schismatics. It is Archbishop Lefebrve who has undertaken an illicit Episcopal consecration and therefore performed a schismatic act. It is for this reason that the Bishops consecrated by him have been suspended and excommunicated. The priests and faithful of the Society have not been excommunicated. They are not heretics.
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renewamerica.us/columns/mershon/070410
 
Aramis said:
Aside from aiding suspended priest to sin by violating their suspension, that is…
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It isn’t sinful to attend there masses. Read what the Ecclesia Dei commission have written about it. The Priest aren’t suspended.
 
You know what? I think if you’re not sure if something is sinful or not, then you’re best to “play it safe.”
 
HOPEFUL_IN_UK said:
You know what? I think if you’re not sure if something is sinful or not, then you’re best to “play it safe.”
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That is good advice, but in this instance we know that it is not sinful to attend a SSPX mass.
 
iviking said:
That is good advice, but in this instance we know that it is not sinful to attend a SSPX mass.
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The only supporting evidence that has been posted to this thread states the contrary - Pope John Paul II’s letter Ecclesia Dei. The letter posted on unavoce.org from the Msgr. Camille states that yes, while they are sacramentally valid, they are illegal and attendance is not recommended. Is disobedience to the Holy See not a sin? While the act of being present at a SSPX Mass is not inherently sinful, the scandal one’s presence creates (by implying support for the schismatic, excommunicated group) is a sin. Pope John Paul II has implored the faithful to sever ties with the group. Nothing in Msgr. Camille’s letter says that the penalty of excommunication for adherence to the schism has been removed.
 
JuanCarlos said:
I won’t say I’m the biggest fan of the SSPX, but I do really enjoy the Tridentine Mass. My Parish is apt to engage in liturgical dancing, large numbers of EMHC (I have attended masses where the EMHC-parishioner ratio was 1:5. I’m not kidding), and other things of that nature.

Both those articles seem to give the ok, albeit with reservation. Thanks for those links though, and thanks for your counsel
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I am sure there are good parishes in Los Angeles. In many areas- especially in that archdiocese, the good priests have to keep quiet. If they make a lot of noise, they will stir up trouble- and they will get transferred. I am sure nowadays there are some priests- even in Los Angeles- who like the Tridentine Mass, and will one day celebrate it publically. Get to know people in your area who are of the same mindset as you- they will point you towards orthodox and reverent parishes and priests.
 
jkarp said:
The letter posted on unavoce.org from the Msgr. Camille states that yes, while they are sacramentally valid, they are illegal and attendance is not recommended.
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However, the letter also says you can attend an SSPX Mass and even give financially to the parish.
 
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