What is most irritating about the SSPXers is their insistence on alienating those who would have the most empathy toward them and the most in common. Yet by labeling traditionalists who attend the indult masses as neo-Catholics they seem to be hell-bent in their obstinancy to remain a distinct sect. As the trend toward traditionalism continues to grow in the mainline church, and the orthodox beliefs and practices move toward those of the SSPXers, they seem to want to maintain that distance. A bunch of elitist fools. And disingenuous....I suspect that their insistence that they pray for the pope in every mass is due to the fact that the mass requires them to (such is their legalistic mindset) not because they owe John Paul any allegience. They probably pray for pope Fellay.
What is most irritating about the SSPXers is their insistence on alienating those who would have the most empathy toward them and the most in common. Yet by labeling traditionalists who attend the indult masses as neo-Catholics they seem to be hell-bent in their obstinancy to remain a distinct sect. As the trend toward traditionalism continues to grow in the mainline church, and the orthodox beliefs and practices move toward those of the SSPXers, they seem to want to maintain that distance. It does seem that the SSPX defeats their purpose on occasion. The labeling you refer to, I believe, is done by Christopher Ferrara and not necessarily all SSPX members or traditionalists. As for your final comments, did you read the interview with Bishop Fellay? One part that jumped out at me was:
The Pope agrees to say that the old Mass has never been abrogated and that it is legitimate to offer it. Cardinals Ratzinger, Medina and Sodano all agree. But their secretaries and under-secretaries do not agree. Therefore, we cannot say what you want.
What about obedience toward the Pope? Many on this thread throw out accusations about certain traditionalists not following the Pope, but what about members of the Curia? Why did the view of the secretaries and under-secretaries carry more weight than the views of the Pope and their superiors?
Good summary.