Ping
Even the council that defined papal infallibility defined its limits. It is not schism to point out those limits. It is not a sin to point out those limits. It is not disloyal to illustrate how a pope might be exceeding those limits, and how in exceeding those limits he has himself broken with the faith.
And then there’s Galatians 1:8-9: “8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach unto you any gospel other than that which we preached unto you, let him be anathema. 9 As we have said before, so say I now again, If any man preacheth unto you any gospel other than that which ye received, let him be anathema.”
So, as a thought experiment, let’s suppose there is a pope who composes a new creed, orthodox in every way. Now let’s suppose he issues a papal bull replacing the Apostle’s creed with his new creed and excommunicating any priest who dares to recite the old Apostle’s Creed, even privately. Remember, this hypothetical papal bull applies only to priests, so it clearly does not fall within the limits of papal infallibility.
I would hold that it is abundantly clear to anyone with an ounce of sense that that pope would be exceeding his authority and could be disobeyed with a clear conscience.
Now let’s suppose that the new creed contained a relatively minor, but clearly heretical error. (Is there really such a thing as a relatively minor heresy? But let’s pretend for a moment.) How much more so would we be allowed, if not even obliged to disobey him?
I believe this is an excellent analogue to what Bergoglio is reportedly planning to do with the TLM. Whether or not he is legitimately pope, he simply does not have the authority to do it, and all bishops, priests, deacons, Religious sisters and brothers, and all lay people may disobey any decree that would punish them for saying or attending the TLM.
Pope Francis and his Vatican allies: How can we insult and mock the Holy Spirit more than we already have? Hmmm... Oh...HEY! HERE’s an idea - let’s shutdown the form of the Mass that produced the vast majority of the Church’s saints. YEAH! THAT ought to do it!!
And so it goes.
Am I wrong for attending the local Walton, KY SSPX church.
several years ago, Pope Francis decreed that SSPX confessions are valid. this was the year the Pope wanted frequent confessions of the laity. Are the SSPX Masses valid? These are the Masses of my parents and grandparents and myself attended until my age of 14. I didn’t understand Latin at 14 and still don’t but love the solemnity of the Mass. Went to my first High Mass this morning. I believe it is Matt 18:20 that speaks Christ “For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.”