So...Shall We Talk About Schism and the SSPX?

With the announcement of the SSPX plans to ordain new bishops this summer, we have return to the question of schism. That question has to begin with whether Archbishop Lefebvre, Bishop de Castro Mayer, and the four bishops consecrated by Archbishop Lefebvre without pontifical mandate in 1988 actually committed a schismatic act. If they did, they were excommunicated automatically (Latae sententiae). If they did not, they committed an act of disobedience not an act of schism. There's a world of difference.

The SSPX has a five part series on this issue, but they do not depend solely on their own opinion and authority. They turn to others including experts in canon law. In 1995 Fr. Gerald Murray, defending his thesis for the Licentiate in Canon Law at the Pontifical Gregorian University, argued that the 1988 excommunications were not valid according to strict canon law. Fr. Murray, a member of the "Papal Posse" with Robert Royal and Raymond Arroyo has no connection to the Society. Here's an example of the Papal Posse reports. God bless them! Every episode is a catechism lesson.

Fr. Murray's canon law thesis was never published in full but a summary and interview were carried in Latin Mass Magazine in 1995. The SSPX made this comment about the interview: 

As for the question about schism, Murray cites the most authoritative commentators to show that Archbishop Lefebvre’s act does not correspond to accepted definitions of schism. “We should carefully distinguish schism from pure and simple disobedience. A schism presupposes a systematic, habitual refusal to be dependent” (Fr. Mattheus Conte a Coronata). “Schism would be clear if the refusal to obey attacked the authority per se... when someone rejects a precept or a judgment of the pope pronounced in the exercise of his office, not recognizing him as a superior...” (Fr. Congar). “Schism must not be confused with disobedience. The latter is a simple transgression, against papal law, for example; the former is a deliberate, voluntary rejection of communion and therefore a rebellion” (Alphonse Borras)—which is manifestly not the case with the Society of St. Pius X.

Last year, Fr. Murray was on Rudy Carlos's show, Ask a Priest and schism was exactly the topic of their conversation. Is the Society in schism and could laity attend their Masses? It's clear from the discussion that we are in a confusing mess! Fr. John Hardon said decades ago the same thing Fr. Murray says about attending SSPX Masses. The faithful may attend SSPX Masses, but they may not adopt a separatist attitude that rejects the papacy and recognizes only the authority of the SSPX hierarchy. Keep in mind that the SSPX doesn't do that and they never gave any bishops jurisdictional authority which would be a schismatic act. They ordained the bishops in order to ensure that they could continue to form priests according the the faith and tradition of the Church and support the flock. Watch the video and see if you feel the same way I did using an expression of my mom's. "Well, that's clear as mud." Confusion reigns these days and that is always a sign of the evil one having his claws in things. Where is the confusion coming from? The Vatican. Not a good sign!

What's very clear is that the SSPX is NOT in schism. They are in an irregular situation. It would be a blessing to have the Society regularized. Will I see that in my lifetime? If so, it better happen pretty soon! But if it doesn't, I'm not disturbed. I simply follow the advice of Padre Pio who got permission not to say the Novus Ordo. "Pray, hope, and don't worry." It's all in God's Providence.

Let us pray that the situation encourages prudent deliberation and a dialogue with the Roman authorities that leads to regularization of the Society. There are certainly enemies in the curia who would like nothing better than to excommunicate not only the SSPX but Sacred Tradition altogether. Does anyone really believe the FSSP and other traditional orders like the Canons of the New Jerusalem none of which have a bishop aren't on the chopping block in the lower vaults of the Vatican? 

Modernism appears to be in the ascendence; the Church appears to be on her deathbed. But appearances are deceiving. Certainly the Church appeared in her death throes during the Arian heresy, but who remembers Arius now? As G.K. Chesterton said, "Christianity has died many times and risen again; for it had a God who knew the way out of the grave." This time of confusion will end, perhaps in fire from heaven. But it will end. In the meanwhile the laity have only one responsibility -- keep the faith. 

May Jesus Christ be praised!