The Eastern Orthodox Church has a valid Mass and follows a Catholic Rite (the Byzantine Rite). It, however, does not fulfill your obligation to attend Mass. Therefore, it could be the same with the SSPX.can. 1248 1. The precept of participating in the Mass is satisfied by assistance at a Mass which is celebrated anywhere in a Catholic rite either on the holy day or on the evening of the preceding day.
Wouldnāt we have to reach the odd conclusion that the SSPX offer something other than a Catholic Rite if that was the case?
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mgsk
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Well I doubt they pray in communion with the Roman Pontiff - the Byzantine Catholic liturgies Iāve been to mention him. That makes them Catholic Rites.
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10thCrusader
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Attending an SSPX mass is perfectly legitimate and - contrary to popular belief - **does ** fulfill a Catholics sunday obligation to attend mass. This has been stated unequivocally by the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei. See here for more info
GWright, Thanks for this great info.I did click on the link, and just to clarify, itās not in the actual document of Ecclesia Dei, but in a letter of clarification concerning this Question in Eclessia Dei.
Apparently, the excommunication only applies to Archbishop Marcel LeFebvre (for his disobedience in ordaining bishops), and does not apply to the rest of the SSPX. That actually makes a lot more sense. I think that was the understanding from the early days of of Ecclesia Dei, when the EF Mass was not well-supported in many dioceses.
Apparently Itās not an issue, since where I live we have a FSSP daily EF Mass (Sometimes two), and a Solemn High Mass on Sunday (Smells, bellsā¦ and sprinkles). We also have a SSPX north of town. The EF Mass in full communion with the Archbishop is readily available. Consequently, if people persist in going to the SSPX Mass, then they are in disobedience to the local Archbishop (who has been very supportive of the celebration of the EF Mass).
I think this is the case with Bishop Bruskewitz. I recall he was a very early supporter of the EF Mass. His diocese was one of the first places the EF was revived. He even promoted and supported the institution of the highly successful FSSP seminary in his diocese.
I suppose he could see it as a slap in the face that, after he braved the disapproval and derision of many of his colleagues in the UCCB, to have those in his diocese persist in attending the SSPX Mass. This is a special affront since the clarification letter permits attending the SSPX Mass when it is " the only opportunity in the local area to participate in the Mass in forma extraordinaria."
So I could see this as a reason why Bishop Bruskewitz might excommunicate those attending SSPX chapels.
What is better:
A group that is against the pope but, still mentions his name.
A group that is against the pope and does not mention his name.
The only difference is that one of the groups is being honest with itself.
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mgsk
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This is merely a caricature of the situation. You donāt have to agree with the SSPXās justification, but they would argue that they are doing this out of love for the Church and the papacy. Again, you might not agree with them (and thatās fine!), but that was merely a straw man tactic.What is better:
A group that is against the pope but, still mentions his name.
A group that is against the pope and does not mention his name.
The only difference is that one of the groups is being honest with itself.
Iāve never been to an SSPX chapel. I obviously donāt agree with their claims 100%. But that doesnāt mean that I canāt see their arguments for what they are.
Then this is a straw man tactic. The Orthodox Church would argue that they are not publicly praying for the Roman Pope at Mass out of love for a fallen away See that needs to repent and come back to Orthodoxy.
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mgsk
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Yes, but objective truth exists.
Weāll never agree on this if we canāt discuss our premises. Unfortunatelyā¦we canāt have that discussion on this forum.
Agreed.
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Sister_Terese
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The SSPX chapels have a valid, but illicit Masses. Also be aware that their confessions are invalid. That is because in order for any priest to hear confessions and absolve sins, he must be incardinated in the local diocese. The priests of SSPX are not incardinated into any diocese of the U.S. that I know of. This is also the case with the Sacrament of Matrimony. Iām not sure what the status is of fulfilling your Sunday obligation to hear Mass as there has been conflicting reports and opinions coming from Rome and the U.S.Question (please forgive me if this has been addressed before):
There is a beautiful SSPX church that I found, and I find it very inspirational to go there and pray.
- What can I do in regards to involvement with the SSPX, while remaining faithful to Rome, and what can I not do?
My concerns, however, are that I do not want to do anything that will lead to becoming unfaithful to Rome.
Please note that I am not trying to start a debate regarding the entire excommunication issue. I simply want to know what the official position is of the Church now - not pre-Vatican II (again, not trying to start another debate.)***
From what I understand, if I attend Mass, Confession, or any other sacrament that the SSPX offers, it can either be a cause of excommunication or simply be invalid (in the case of confession).
However, is it ok for me sit and pray in their Churches? Is Christ truly present in the Eucharist there, and can I kneel before the Eucharist?
Can I attend exposition there, sing evening prayer with them, and participate in things like benediction, holy hours, the rosary, etc.?
I am not going to attend Mass or confession there, but beyond that I would like to know if it is ok for me to be doing what I am doing right now (which so far is just praying in their church and praying the rosary with them) and if it is ok for me to do some of the other things that I would like to do?
Thank you so much, and just a reminder that I am not trying to start a debate. I know the SSPX has their ideas, but all I am really looking for is current Church opinion so that I can stay loyal to Rome.
Thank you and God bless!
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Sister_Terese
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There is a difference between the Eastern Orthodox Catholic Church and the Byzantine Catholic Church. EOC church is not in communion with Rome, the Bzyantine Catholic Church is.
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mgsk
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Yes I realise that. Thatās why some Byzantine liturgies are Catholic and others arenāt.
mgsk, I like your signature!
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mgsk
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Not everyone does!
Iām sure of that!
Not everyone does!
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LINVS
Guest
Iāve looked into this same question; from a similar perspective. Iāve always admired the passion SSPX has for Catholicism and their āattention to detailā for lack of a better term.
Anyway, you may most certainly pray and take communion there. Their masses are valid, as is their last rites. As far as Confession, if there is any doubt in your mind, then that sacrament is valid; as per Church regulations. Rome says the Confessions of SSPX arenāt valid because they are given without the permission of the local bishop. If you accept that, then your Confession is not valid. SSPX says that because of the emergency that exists in the church, SSPX has āemergency permissionā to conduct these sacraments; as per Church regulations. Do you think there is an āemergencyā in the Church?
The official position of SSPX is one of loyalty to the Pope and the Church. Iāve attended some masses at a local SSPX and they seem to feel obligated to profess their loyalty to the Pope and Rome. Now SSPX does take issue with issue with Vatican II; so you will be exposed to that. But on the other hand, at least here in California, non SSPX churches will take issue with official church teachings on many subjects (homosexuality, contraception, gay marriage, Socialism, etc).
Anyway, you may most certainly pray and take communion there. Their masses are valid, as is their last rites. As far as Confession, if there is any doubt in your mind, then that sacrament is valid; as per Church regulations. Rome says the Confessions of SSPX arenāt valid because they are given without the permission of the local bishop. If you accept that, then your Confession is not valid. SSPX says that because of the emergency that exists in the church, SSPX has āemergency permissionā to conduct these sacraments; as per Church regulations. Do you think there is an āemergencyā in the Church?
The official position of SSPX is one of loyalty to the Pope and the Church. Iāve attended some masses at a local SSPX and they seem to feel obligated to profess their loyalty to the Pope and Rome. Now SSPX does take issue with issue with Vatican II; so you will be exposed to that. But on the other hand, at least here in California, non SSPX churches will take issue with official church teachings on many subjects (homosexuality, contraception, gay marriage, Socialism, etc).
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