What is the status of the SSPX?

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FrRJBoyd

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In my diocese we have (I believe) the largest SSPX apostolate in the country. Some of the people who attend the TLM in full union with Rome on Sundays and holy days will attend a daily TLM at the SSPX chapel. Initially, I reasoned that that would be OK, since according to the current ecumenical directory, you can attend protestant and Orthodox services/liturgies for some good reason. However, I was doing a bit more research, and found this article

sspx.agenda.tripod.com/id60.html

which gives a convincing canonical argument that Catholics should not receive Communion at SSPX chapels, and cites this letter

ewtn.com/library/CURIA/CEDSSPX.HTM

from Ecclesia Dei, which calls the SSPX schismatic (and not merely in a “situation of separation” or “irregular”) and stating it is morally illicit to even attend a Mass offered by an SSPX priest, unless one is morally or physically impeded from attending another Mass (to use current language, either in the ordinary or extraordinary form) in union with Rome.

These documents were written in the 1990s. Does anyone know if this is still the position of Ecclesia Dei on this issue? I am in need of specific facts that I can tell people in my diocese.

Thanks and God bless,

Fr. Boyd
 
FrRJBoyd said:
In my diocese we have (I believe) the largest SSPX apostolate in the country. Some of the people who attend the TLM in full union with Rome on Sundays and holy days will attend a daily TLM at the SSPX chapel. Initially, I reasoned that that would be OK, since according to the current ecumenical directory, you can attend protestant and Orthodox services/liturgies for some good reason. However, I was doing a bit more research, and found this article

sspx.agenda.tripod.com/id60.html

which gives a convincing canonical argument that Catholics should not receive Communion at SSPX chapels, and cites this letter

ewtn.com/library/CURIA/CEDSSPX.HTM

from Ecclesia Dei, which calls the SSPX schismatic (and not merely in a “situation of separation” or “irregular”) and stating it is morally illicit to even attend a Mass offered by an SSPX priest, unless one is morally or physically impeded from attending another Mass (to use current language, either in the ordinary or extraordinary form) in union with Rome.

These documents were written in the 1990s. Does anyone know if this is still the position of Ecclesia Dei on this issue? I am in need of specific facts that I can tell people in my diocese.

Thanks and God bless,

Fr. Boyd
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I don’t mean to be rude, but isn’t this a matter to discuss with your Bishop?

There are varying opinions on this forum. I would think you would get a definitive answer from the Bishop, not a bunch of strangers.
 
FrRJBoyd said:
In my diocese we have (I believe) the largest SSPX apostolate in the country. Some of the people who attend the TLM in full union with Rome on Sundays and holy days will attend a daily TLM at the SSPX chapel. Initially, I reasoned that that would be OK, since according to the current ecumenical directory, you can attend protestant and Orthodox services/liturgies for some good reason. However, I was doing a bit more research, and found this article

sspx.agenda.tripod.com/id60.html

which gives a convincing canonical argument that Catholics should not receive Communion at SSPX chapels, and cites this letter

ewtn.com/library/CURIA/CEDSSPX.HTM

from Ecclesia Dei, which calls the SSPX schismatic (and not merely in a “situation of separation” or “irregular”) and stating it is morally illicit to even attend a Mass offered by an SSPX priest, unless one is morally or physically impeded from attending another Mass (to use current language, either in the ordinary or extraordinary form) in union with Rome.

These documents were written in the 1990s. Does anyone know if this is still the position of Ecclesia Dei on this issue? I am in need of specific facts that I can tell people in my diocese.

Thanks and God bless,

Fr. Boyd
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You are liable to get as many answers as their are people on these forums. 😉 I can tell you right now that you are going to get a response containing a letter from Msgr. Perl (you will also find a response to that on Loughnan’s site) that was sent to a specific person in a specific circumstance and you will get a quote from Castrillon-Hoyos from some magazine articles (which don’t hold weight).

Hopefully this will soon be a moot conversation soon! With the MP, the SSPX will either reunite or not. Then I think the Vatican will put out another document on them. Once the MP is in full force, the faithful shouldn’t have an excuse to choose a group which most of their priest and bishops are excommunicated (btw, I am free to suspect that according to Msgr. Perl
latin-mass-society.org/laitysspx.htm ) and who’s marriages and confessions are invalid.
 
Fr. Boyd,
In 2006, there was a ruling by the PCED on attendance at SSPX Masses and related matters. It was sent to the Archdiocese of Salzburg and can be found at this link:

www.renewamerica.us/columns/mershon/070410

Search for the word “Salzburg”. It is about halfway down the page.

Robert
 
I’ve always thought this part to be rather interesting. It’s not part of the text of the letter. It’s the blog author’s summation…
The archdiocesan functionaries responsible for the official Salzburg Gazette are Chancellor Dr Hansjoerg Hofer and Vicar General Dr Johann Reissmeier. The Liber Baptizatorum is the official registry document which proves membership of the Roman Catholic church (canon 535 CJC/1983). Since this new edict was published after a communication from the Ecclesia Dei Commission, it may be regarded as the official view of the Holy See.
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I don’t think this is actually correct. Just because somebody talks to the EDC and then puts something out, it doesn’t mean it is the “official view” of the Holy See. I think it’s only the official view when it’s actually put out by the Holy See. The USCCB would be a perfect example of this. How many times have they heard from the Holy See and still got it wrong only to have to put out correction after correction.:rolleyes:

I’m not debating whether the diocese of Salzburg has anything right or wrong. I’m just addressing the blog authors assumption that it’s official view of the Holy See.
 
My only thoughts are that if one is to go to Mass of a SSPX , on is walking on a dangerous road at this time. It appears that things are in the works to bring them back into full communion with Rome, but to date that has not happened. I believe that only 4 Bishops of the SSPX have been excommunicated, that Rome has stated that the Sacraments given by a SSPX Priest is illicit, unless under dire need such as impending death.
 
Bear,
Strictly speaking you are correct. Personally, I think the Archdiocese of Salzburg has accurately transmitted whatever the PCED communicated to them, on the basis that nothing in the Archdiocese’s statement contradicts anything I have read from the PCED on this topic.

Robert
 
Indyann said:
I don’t mean to be rude, but isn’t this a matter to discuss with your Bishop?

There are varying opinions on this forum. I would think you would get a definitive answer from the Bishop, not a bunch of strangers.
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Discussing any matter with a bishop takes it to a new level; if I can find an answer here with official documentation, it would be faster and less stressful.

God bless,

Fr. Boyd
 
FrRJBoyd said:
Discussing any matter with a bishop takes it to a new level; if I can find an answer here with official documentation, it would be faster and less stressful.

God bless,

Fr. Boyd
Click to expand...
Father,
Just wondering if you’ve ever talked directly to any of the SSPX priests in your diocese?
 
Ecclesia Dei, which you can find on the Vatican website, is still the official Church position, notwithstanding personal opinion of the odd bishop or two who disagree over SSPX status.
 
FrRJBoyd said:
In my diocese we have (I believe) the largest SSPX apostolate in the country. Some of the people who attend the TLM in full union with Rome on Sundays and holy days will attend a daily TLM at the SSPX chapel. Initially, I reasoned that that would be OK, since according to the current ecumenical directory, you can attend protestant and Orthodox services/liturgies for some good reason. However, I was doing a bit more research, and found this article

sspx.agenda.tripod.com/id60.html

which gives a convincing canonical argument that Catholics should not receive Communion at SSPX chapels, and cites this letter

ewtn.com/library/CURIA/CEDSSPX.HTM

from Ecclesia Dei, which calls the SSPX schismatic (and not merely in a “situation of separation” or “irregular”) and stating it is morally illicit to even attend a Mass offered by an SSPX priest, unless one is morally or physically impeded from attending another Mass (to use current language, either in the ordinary or extraordinary form) in union with Rome.

These documents were written in the 1990s. Does anyone know if this is still the position of Ecclesia Dei on this issue? I am in need of specific facts that I can tell people in my diocese.

Thanks and God bless,

Fr. Boyd
Click to expand...
Greetings, Father, and as a priest you are very much in my prayers.

Cardinal Castrillon Hoyos has said repeatedly that SSPX is not in formal schism; he is the cardinal prefect of the dicastery with jurisdiction in the matter. Does anybody really believe that Benedict XVI would allow a loose canon to make these statements if they did not reflect his view?
 
jj2011 said:
Greetings, Father, and as a priest you are very much in my prayers.

Cardinal Castrillon Hoyos has said repeatedly that SSPX is not in formal schism; he is the cardinal prefect of the dicastery with jurisdiction in the matter. Does anybody really believe that Benedict XVI would allow a loose canon to make these statements if they did not reflect his view?
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Only those who wish to believe it.
 
You will get answers on both sides from laymen and Bishops alike. The practical answer is if you are led the to the TLM and it is not offered at your parish, then the SSPX Mass should be attended. It is the responsibility of each parish to have both forms of the Mass.
 
I read the letter from Pope Benedict (when Cardinal) regarding this, and he gave the okay. Some say that it only applies to this one particular person. It doesn’t. I’m having problems locating that letter now, but as I recall, the way he answered was not as though he were answering that one man, but all in this man’s situation. We can attend for “moral reasons,” which are not specified. *Many *who attend the TLM attend for moral reasons, and I’d say *most *that attend the chapels of the SSPX do so for the same reasons. If one is attending with a schismatic spirit (the Pope said no, I’ll show him!) then obviously that would be morally wrong and very sinful.
 
Fr. Boyd,

The official authoritative statements from the Holy See on the matter are Ecclesia Dei and the statement on ED by the Pontifical Council for the Interpretation of Legislative Texts, the authority for interpreting legal documents.

The PCILT statement was from 1996 and can be found here:

catholicculture.org/library/view.cfm?recnum=1224
 
I would like to point out that the Bishop of Lincoln has issued excommunications of the SSPX and that the Vatican recently upheld an excommunication of the eastern catholic branch of the SSPX.
 
Why not make an appointment and visit them to check on what they really believe. It is a good thing to reach out in understanding and to help foster good relationships throughout the community.

They might have some good insight into this and are probably open to talking about it more, not only that, they probably know what Rome says about them.

They believe a lot more Catholicism than non-catholics and in the spirit of ecuminism it would probably would be fruitful to visit.

God Bless
Scylla
 
Unless the Pope himself decides to clarify this issue and condemn attendance at the SSPX chapels, we really have nothing to worry about unless we have the spirit/intention of rebellion.
 
Formosus said:
I would like to point out that the Bishop of Lincoln has issued excommunications of the SSPX and that the Vatican recently upheld an excommunication of the eastern catholic branch of the SSPX.
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Beware of spreading false or misleading information.

Bishop Bruskewitz’ excommunication of the group “Call to Action” (which supports women’s ordination) was upheld by the Vatican. The Bishop also tried to lump in several other groups (the SSPX among them) and these were NOT addressed by the Vatican. The fact that he lumped a truly Catholic society with such ilk as the Hemlock Society, Call to Action and Planned Parenthood is contemptible, IMO.

And it was a Ukrainian priest of the Rutherian Rite (which has ties to the SSPX) who was excommunicated. Actually, it was his second excommunication, the first having been declared null and void.
 
laudamus_te said:
Beware of spreading false or misleading information.

Bishop Bruskewitz’ excommunication of the group “Call to Action” (which supports women’s ordination) was upheld by the Vatican. The Bishop also tried to lump in several other groups (the SSPX among them) and these were NOT addressed by the Vatican. The fact that he lumped a truly Catholic society with such ilk as the Hemlock Society, Call to Action and Planned Parenthood is contemptible, IMO.

And it was a Ukrainian priest of the Rutherian Rite (which has ties to the SSPX) who was excommunicated. Actually, it was his second excommunication, the first having been declared null and void.
Click to expand...
So, the excommunications remain valid binding judgements by a bishop…ironically one of the most traditional bishops in the US. Hmmm.
 
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