Let's Get One Thing Straight. The SSPX Did Not Claim to Have the Papal Mandate!

I've read a number of posts by those claiming the SSPX lied during the consecration of the bishops by claiming the papal mandate. But, in the course of the consecration Mass, when asked if they had the papal mandate, Bishop Fellay did not say "Habemus," (We have it.) Instead he called on the notary, Fr. Foucauld Le Roux, to read a declaration of necessity which implicitly recognized the lack of the papal mandate. The sedevacantist site, Novus Ordo Watch, where I found the text of the document, says this indicates that the SSPX recognizes Leo as a legitimate pope and are living a contradiction by acknowledging the conciliar church but refusing to obey its pope. Hmm....

More chaos! Who's right? Who's wrong? Where is the truth? Where is the faith? I feel like we're watching the old To Tell the Truth show trying to figure out who's legit. Will the real pope, please stand up. 

At any rate my purpose here is not to debate sedevacantism, but simply to say that the accusations that the Society was deceptive and pretended to have the papal mandate are simply untrue and a slander. Here is the text of the document, translated from the French which was read in response to the question:

It is the Catholic and Roman Church, always faithful to the holy traditions received from the Apostles, who, in entirely exceptional circumstances, demands that we provide for the upholding of these holy traditions – that is, the deposit of faith – and that we take the means necessary to transmit them faithfully to all men for the salvation of their souls.

From the Second Vatican Council up to the present day, the authorities in the Church have been animated by a spirit that is contrary to that of the Faith, and have been acting against holy Tradition – “they will no longer endure sound doctrine, turning away their hearing from the truth, and turning towards fables,” as St. Paul says to Timothy in his second epistle (4:3-5). Therefore, before God, we consider it a sacred duty towards Holy Church and towards souls to proceed with the consecration of bishops who are entirely faithful to her holy Tradition and to her constant Magisterium.

Moreover, everywhere in the world, we hear souls beseeching us that, by the preaching of the Truth and the administration of the sacraments, the Bread of Life which is Christ might be given to them. That is why, out of compassion for this multitude, we have the most serious duty to transmit the grace of the episcopate to these dear priests, so that they themselves might confer the grace of the priesthood on many clerics formed according to the holy traditions of the Catholic Church. And we consider that every punishment and censure brought to bear against this step will have no validity.

Following this pressing demand of the always faithful Roman and Catholic Church, we choose these four priests here present as auxiliary bishops of the Priestly Society of St. Pius X, with the one and only purpose of serving the Holy Roman Church:

– Father Pascal Schreiber, Rector of Sacred Heart Seminary in Zaitzkofen, Germany.

– Father Michael Goldade, Rector of St. Thomas Aquinas Seminary in Dillwyn, USA.

– Father Michel Poinsinet de Sivry, Superior of the Benelux District

– Father Marc Hanappier, Professor of St. Thomas Aquinas Seminary in Dillwyn, USA.

(Source: FSSPX.news)

I'm going on a silent Ignatian retreat this week from Sunday evening, tomorrow, til Saturday afternoon. I look forward to shelving all these contentious issues for five full days and simply sit under the fountain of grace and seek the Lord's guidance. I'll schedule some articles to post but will be completely off the internet. No social media, no debates in the comment section of Substack or Blogger, just blissful silence. I won't be moderating comments either. You are welcome to leave them, but they'll sit in the combox until I return on July 25th. Please pray for me as I will pray for you. Let us pray above all to love God and to know the truth. Give us wisdom, Lord. Increase our faith. And let us never allow the contentiousness of issues lead us to treat others unkindly and with a lack of charity.

May Jesus Christ be praised.