[Catholic Caucus] The SSPX and the Question of Apostolic Continuity

Pillars of Faith ^ | February 3, 2026 | Bishop Joseph E. Strickland

[ebb tide]

[Catholic Caucus] The SSPX and the Question of Apostolic Continuity

The current situation involving the Society of St. Pius X (SSPX) has once again revealed a serious and unresolved reality within the Church – one that cannot be dismissed, delayed indefinitely, or answered with silence.

In the years following the Council, Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre acted under the conviction that essential elements of the Church’s life – the traditional priestly formation, the sacramental theology that shaped it, and the Mass that had nourished countless saints – were being abandoned or actively suppressed. The Society of St. Pius X arose from that crisis and, for decades, preserved these realities when few others were willing or permitted to do so.

This preservation was not ideological or nostalgic. It required bishops to ordain priests, to confirm the faithful, and to govern so that the Church’s traditional sacramental life would not be extinguished during a period of profound upheaval.

As the generation of bishops who first bore this responsibility has largely passed from the scene, the Society has repeatedly raised a concrete concern: without new bishops, the continuity of that priestly formation and sacramental life cannot be sustained. This is not a request for novelty, power, or exception. It is a question of whether something preserved at great cost for the good of the Church will now be allowed to disappear through inaction.

When such concerns are brought forward calmly, respectfully, and repeatedly – and when they are met not with clarity but with silence – delay itself becomes a decision. Inaction becomes a judgment. And silence begins to function as an answer.

The Church is hierarchical by divine design, and authority exists to safeguard what has been entrusted to it. That authority bears a grave responsibility: to protect the priesthood, to preserve apostolic continuity, and to speak plainly when essential realities are at stake.

Unity in the Church is not preserved by ambiguity. Fidelity is not a threat. Tradition is not an enemy. When those who openly contradict the Church’s teaching are tolerated, while those who seek continuity are treated as suspect, something has been inverted.

This moment demands prayer, honesty, and courage – especially from those entrusted with authority. The salvation of souls must remain the supreme law of the Church. Silence cannot be the final word.

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TOPICS: Apologetics; Catholic; Current Events; Worship
KEYWORDS: consecrations; necessity; sspx; strickland

[ebb tide]

Fidelity is not a threat. Tradition is not an enemy. When those who openly contradict the Church’s teaching are tolerated, while those who seek continuity are treated as suspect, something has been inverted.

[ebb tide]

Ping

[KierkegaardMAN]

The true rites of consecration for bishops and ordination for priests was changed by Paul VI. If Montini was not actually a legitimate pope, as can be argued than those new “rites “ may be both illicit and invalid.

[irishjuggler]

The SSPX-Tucho sitdown will be interesting to say the least. On paper, it looks like possibly the greatest mismatch of theological interlocutors since maybe the time St Francis of Assisi met up with Sultan Al-Kamil in Egypt in 1219. But who knows, that latter meeting was surprising cordial, though no one’s views were really changed.

[I-ambush]

The fact that St. Francis was not killed is evidence that the Sultan recognized his holiness and that the Gospel was true.

[RitaOK]

It is possible if not likely, that SSPX Superior General Fr. David Pagliarano does not sit with Francisco.

Historically speaking, it seems like past reporting of sanctions, negotiations and faculties-questions concerning the SSPX were always attributed to the direct involvement of the various popes, while any lesser others were kept more strictly in the background.

Francisco however, is let out to appear quite shiny in front and center, and as the enforcer/agitator.

The pope seems less serious, pleased to engage only in chat-room styled smilng and greeting and pontificating, dialoging, and throwing regular pedestrian level “synodal” card table parties...🤐.