Editor's Note: To contact Catholic Exchange, please refer to our Contact Us page.
Please note that all email submitted to Catholic Exchange or its authors (regarding articles published at CE) become the property of Catholic Exchange and may be published in this space. Published letters may be edited for length and clarity. Names and cities of letter writers may also be published. Email addresses of viewers will not normally be published.
Dear CE:
Could you address the validity of the Fraternal Order of St. Peter? I believe they truly are in communion with the Pope, and that their use of the Tridentine Rite is valid. Your article about the schismatic groups was useful, but it might lead to confusion for those who have want to be faithful to the Church, but are drawn to the traditional rite of the Mass.
I think Ecclesia Dei addressed this issue as well.
Thanks, Jim Lavin Kansas
Thank you for publishing the article “A Brief Guide to Traditionalist Schismatics.” There are many people who respect those who value some traditions, but if Vatican II is not a valid council and the way the Church is a living magisterium, how can these people believe Vatican I in its entirety as valid. It seems like they want to immortalize one relatively small slice of time in Church practice forgetting the differences in practice during the 1900 years or so prior to Vatican I. (Or frankly, differences before the Council of Trent which changed much of Church practice from the previous 1500 years.)
Anyway, there is such an explosion and mobilization by these ultra-traditionalists, especially on the internet, that your lead article was very timely and useful for many of us trying to do what is right, but being confused by these other voices.
Thanks Troy Doyle, Ed.S.
First, to address Mr. Lavin's question: Yes, the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter ( www.fssp.com), the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest (www.institute-christ-king.org), the Society of St. John (www.ssjohn.org ),and the Society of St. John Cantius (www.societycantius.org) are traditionalist orders that are in communion with Rome. They accept the legitimacy of Vatican II and the Novus Ordo Missae (also known as the Paul VI Mass).
There certainly is nothing wrong with attending an indult (diocesan-approved) Tridentine Mass; but Tridentine Masses celebrated by priests of the SSPX, “independent” traditionalist chapels or sedevacantist sects are illicit, as those particular priests do not have the approval of the local bishop, are not in communion with Rome and are thus in schism (contrary to the sophistry they put forth).
Mr. Doyle's observation that there has been an “explosion and mobilization” of radical traditionalists causing confusion among the faithful is indeed correct. Some are misguided, no doubt. But others simply seem to have embraced a “more Catholic than the Pope” mentality. It's sad. Faithful Catholics now must endure the poison put forth by the dissenters on the left and the dissenters on the right.
God bless you!
Matt C. Abbott
