On dealing with the SSPX

[mitch2007]

Dear Forum readers,

I am in the process of discerning my future with the SSPX, in the light of many factors, including:

1. last year’s motu proprio Summorum Pontificum;
2. the increasing stridency of the SSPX priests and bishops against any kind of regularisation with Rome;
3. the “moving goalposts” where the only scenario where the SSPX is regularised is the impossible one where Rome capitulates and says Vatican II was in error, the New Mass is abrogated, Archbishop Lefebvre totally vindicated and effectively Rome says they (the SSPX) were right all along.
4. The narrow, sectarian, cultish spirit - a kind of “extra SSPX nulla salus” mentality which rejects even “recognised” Traditional Mass apostolates and calumniates those who leave them.

It is not my intention - despite what I say above - to attack the SSPX. On an individual level, many of their priests are good, zealous, sincere, even holy men. If it weren’t for their irregular status, I’d chose one of them as my spiritual director, ahead of many “mainstream” priests. I LOVE the Traditional Latin Mass (at present available in my diocese ONLY through the SSPX), and (please don’t get upset, people like ethelzguy, Spiller, Deacon Ed, etc!) cannot say I much like EMHC’s, altar girls, communion in the hand, etc (though perhaps it’s my SSPX-manufactured blinkers which have caused this aversion?).

Since last October, I have attended the Novus Ordo on Sundays when we do not have Mass at our SSPX chapel, which previously I never did - the SSPX says don’t go to the NO at all. My dear wife was for all intents and purposes raised in the SSPX (unlike me, I started going 11 years ago, when I was at university), and is terrified of going to the “modern” Church - it would admittedly be quite a culture shock for her, raised as she was to regard communion in the hand, lay ministers, etc, as sacrilege, and the modern Mass as bad. She won’t let me take our kids either (ages 4, 2 and 3 months). Her family are ardent SSPXers.

Now I am seriously thinking of cutting ties with the SSPX, regardless of whether there is another Traditional Mass to go to or not. It is VERY hard, due to the family situation. I am also very very confused - a few months ago, I think, I was ranting and raving against the SSPX and had, mentally at least, disassociated myself with them, then I had a relapse back to them - suffice it to say it’s been a confusing few months. I am trying to look at it all objectively, have read Pete Vere’s book “More Catholic Than the Pope”, also writings by Jacob Michael and David Armstrong as well as the The Sensible Bond blog. However, DEALING with SSPX’ers is very hard, especially nowadays as:

1. They think that since the Pope has said the old Mass was never abrogated, they have at least partially been vindicated, and some strut around and say they and other old priests who quietly said the old Mass are owed an apology, and if the old Mas was legal, then the “persecution” of the SSPX and co was unjust and based on false premises, and (so their argument goes), they were right to defy the apparent ban on the old rite, even to the point of consecrating bishops to ensure it’s survival. Now they think they’ve “won” this battle, they reason, they must stick it out another 40 years until - they think inexorably - Rome admits they were right about Vatican II.
2. Cardinal Castrillon Hoyos’s interviews/statements and letters since 2000 from the PCED don’t help one either. They are forever quoting him to say that there is not a formal, fully-fledged, consolidated schism as such, therefore that they are not outside the Church, so why leave us for the dreaded NO, if we are right about the Mass and are inside the Church - so their argument goes. “Look! Even Rome has admitted we are not in schism!” Also, the various letters from PCED saying one fulfils the Sunday obligation by going to an SSPX Mass. I know people pointed out that those letters were to an individual, dealing with an individual’s circumstances, but people ignore that, and to complicate matters, I recall reading an interview/correspondence between Brian Mershon and the PCED, to the effect that one CAN fulfil ones obligation thus. Even normally anti-SSPX people are saying that strictly speaking one can fulfil the obligation, and not sin, by attending an SSPX chapel.

I suppose the bottom line is that the strong anti-SSPX line from Rome seems to have been diluted of late, and this makes discernment all the more confusing and difficult, especially as SSPXers now have this ammo: “See! We were right about the Mass and we will be proved right about the Council! See! Even Rome says we can go to Mass here!”.

How does one respond to this trend?

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Mitch

 

[Jacafamala]

Mitch,
Prayers for you! I’ll remember you in my Rosary intentions today.

I’ve never been involved with the SSPX, but I do really love the TLM.

Do you have either FSSP or ICK in your area? That would probably go over much better with your wife. At this point in time, it sounds as though taking her to the Pauline Mass might put a lot of stress on your marriage. Just a thought.

 

[ProVobis]

It is not my intention - despite what I say above - to attack the SSPX. On an individual level, many of their priests are good, zealous, sincere, even holy men.

Yes, I agree with you here. Both pastors that I know give brilliant homilies and make you feel very much at home. They get invited for dinners, etc. by many of the parishioners. I don’t think “indult” Catholics would have any problem with them.

Some of the visiting priests, however, make me and probably others very uncomfortable, to say the least. But I don’t know where they would go if SSPX “reconciled” fully with Rome.

As far as the attendees go, I see many of them at the diocesan Masses too, so it looks like wherever the most convenient TLM is, there they are. Attending the SSPX doesn’t seem to phase them one bit.

 

[mitch2007]

Mitch,
Prayers for you! I’ll remember you in my Rosary intentions today.

I’ve never been involved with the SSPX, but I do really love the TLM.

Do you have either FSSP or ICK in your area? That would probably go over much better with your wife. At this point in time, it sounds as though taking her to the Pauline Mass might put a lot of stress on your marriage. Just a thought.

Many thanks.

No, neither the FSSP nor the ICK are anywhere near me, unfortunately. There are no TLM’s whatsoever, of any description, in my diocese, other than those of the SSPX, though there are rumours (just rumours) that an elderly monsignor has quiety started saying the TLM privately on occasion, which I’d like to verify (but it could just be wishful thinking).

God bless
Mitch