Is it a sin to attend an SSPX Mass?

[Allen_Cox]

I was recently invited by a neighbor to attend Mass with her and her daughter at an SSPX church. I am a new convert and am still learning about the Catholic faith. I had never heard about the Society of St. Pius X before. She told me that many people accuse them of being in schism but denied that they are. I attended Mass there last weekend and ever since every Catholic I have talked to about it has told not to attend Mass there because they are in schism. Am I sinning by going to Mass there?

 

[Michelle_Arnold]

I cannot say the SSPX is in schism, but I can say that the status of the SSPX is highly irregular and the priests of that society do not have permission to celebrate the sacraments, including the Mass. For that reason, you should not attend Mass at an SSPX chapel. Since you are a new convert and still learning the faith, I also recommend that you be wary of your neighbor’s intentions in inviting you to join her at the SSPX chapel. It is very possible that she is proselytizing you into joining the SSPX. Even if that is not the case, you need to be formed well in the faith before involving yourself in controversial movements within the Church. At this point, it would be better to surround yourself with Catholics who are faithful to the Church, so that your own faith may be strengthened.