Okay, okay, no need to overdramatize the situation. Unless you, of course, enjoy doing it.
The typical eastern experience with the SSPX lay-adherents is that they often don’t accept anything other than the TLM as valid. To and including the Eastern Liturgies; liturgies, on average, older than the Roman Mass, and definitely older than the Trent-approved Missal.
If Catholics can go to Protestant services as guests, then why can they not go to Orthodox and SSPX parishes so long as they fulfill their Sunday obligation?
Yes, so far as it is made public, the SSPX was excommunicated only because of disobedience, not for committing heresy. I tried to get the official scoop from the Vatican website, but I couldn’t find any on the SSPX.
It is a quandary that all are acceptable.
They can, when there is need. But the problem is that many set too low a standard for need. (Cdl. Arinze, 2007.)
No “need” is required to attend SSPX Masses except a love for the '62 liturgy and a desire to not separate oneself from the Pope. The Sunday obligation is fulfilled according to Canon Law “in any Catholic Rite”.
Catholics can only attend Orthodox liturgies according to Canon Law IF genuine spiritual advantage requires it AND the danger of indifferentism is avoided. Seeing as how the Sunday obligation is waived if it is impossible to get to a Catholic Mass, one is never obligated to assist at a schismatic and non-Catholic Orthodox liturgy.
The Orthodox are not “licitly performing the sacraments” either as their priests are in formal schism.
The 2008 letter from Mershon responded to a general question and did not deal with his specific circumstance, thus it can be relied on by all. In addition, a Cardinal previous to 2004 responded that since the Sunday obligation could be fulfilled at any Catholic Rite that included the Society Masses.
Aramis,
The SSPX functions exactly as a schismatic church; they ignore Rome’s instructions, they have set up parallel hierarchies, and have made reunification demands upon Rome exactly in the same manner as the Russian Orthodox… as if they are outside the Catholic Church.
Thank you, Mr Fish, to share your decrees with us , but in short, the Vatican has stated that it is acceptable to assist at the SSPX Mass.
Once again, your blog-acquired knowledge of SSPX affairs is astounding.
You’ve presented a circular argument here. I would say you’re not average if you attend an SSPX. But then you’re not “average” if you attend an EF of any kind.
It has set up parishes under the omophor of the SSPX bishops and not under the authority of the local bishops. That, functionally, is a diocese, a bishop and those parishes under his omophor. And that, since they have no permission from the valid hierarchy to set up parallel jurisdictions, is acting as a schismatic church. Which they’ve done for 15+ years.
Can you please provide proof of this? I am wrong when I am wrong then.
What new bishops have been consecrated since 1988? You’re making it sound like a continuous process. A truly schismatic church would persist in doing what got them into schism in the first place and this just hasn’t happened.
Sorry, I am too busy to do your research for you. You might start with the SSPX docs on this board.Can you please provide proof of this? I am wrong when I am wrong then.
They have set up parishes since the bishops were ordained; and they continue to ordain men even when specifically requested to not do so (as the last round of ordinations indicates, per B 16’s request). The fact that new bishops have not been ordained is only one part of a continual activity which indicates that they seem intent on growing whether or not they achieve reunion with Rome.
When one adheres to the traditional catholic faith, growth is inevitable. For the record, the SSPX Bishops do not sit around planning where to put their next chapel. Rather, they respond to the requests of the faithful who petition to have a Mass said in a particular locality. Whether that grows into a chapel with a regular recurring Mass is completely up to the faithful in that area.