The same is true for any individual or group that chooses to separate itself from the Catholic Church. The same argument applies here.
The same is true for any individual or group that chooses to separate itself from the Catholic Church. The same argument applies here.
Why not? If atheists should be encouraged to be as atheist as possible because that is what they view as the Good, and if they are also saved by being such, then why should not liberal cafeteria Catholics be as they think they should be? Won't they be saved by being that too as atheists are saved by denying God?
But, as for the SSPX, I just think it is funny that the pope has not already publicly forgiven them and welcomed them back. Are they not lost sheep which he should be pursuing? And they are no more repentant than are atheists who do not seek faith, or homosexuals who live openly such lifestyles, and the pope seems to be okay with them. Don't the SSPX have consciences which compel them in their beliefs as those people do in their own? Sadly, such ideas rarely apply to those who simply believe as the Church did for almost 2,000 years. They are not welcomed back, but must make attestations of accepting every nuance of liberally interpreted VII ideas. They must apologise for every imagined offense. They must worship with the modern liturgy and praise it when asked about it. When a bunch of Anglicans who have historically denied numerous dogmas of the Church want to return no explicit avowals of any council "teaching" is required, and they are even allowed their own liturgy which was written by archheretic and murderer Cranmer. But, the SSPX are held to test after test, and are not even allowed to worship with the Church's own liturgy! And, the pope who cannot shut up about how we must support atheists in their atheism has nothing to say about supporting Catholics in their catholicism. Very sad, but only too typical.