[narses]

The problem the good Bishop has (and he is a very good Bishop) is that Rome disagrees with him.

"Can I fulfill my Sunday obligation by attending a Pius X Mass" and our response was:

"1. In the strict sense you may fulfill your Sunday obligation by attending a Mass celebrated by a priest of the Society of St. Pius X."

His second question was "Is it a sin for me to attend a Pius X Mass" and we responded stating:

"2. We have already told you that we cannot recommend your attendance at such a Mass and have explained the reason why. If your primary reason for attending were to manifest your desire to separate yourself from communion with the Roman Pontiff and those in communion with him, it would be a sin. If your intention is simply to participate in a Mass according to the 1962 Missal for the sake of devotion, this would not be a sin."

His third question was: "Is it a sin for me to contribute to the Sunday collection a Pius X Mass" to which we responded:

"3. It would seem that a modest contribution to the collection at Mass could be justified."

Sincerely yours in Christ,
Rev. Msgr. Camille Perl Secretary
Pontificia Commissio "Ecclesia Dei"

So if the good Bp. wants to follow Rome (and he does), he should allow Rome the job of dealing with the SSPX.

[Canticle_of_Deborah]

So if the good Bp. wants to follow Rome (and he does), he should allow Rome the job of dealing with the SSPX.

Thanks for the ping. Bishop B is a good bishop but he has a tendency to bring a sledgehammer to situations which require kid gloves and finesse. This is one of them.

I hope his decisions now are in line with Rome. Otherwise it is the BB pot calling the SSPX kettle black.

[sinkspur]

So if the good Bp. wants to follow Rome (and he does), he should allow Rome the job of dealing with the SSPX.

According to narses, Bruskewitz doesn't follow Rome as far as the SSPX is concerned.

Imagine that! Bruskewitz is a liberal!

[BlackElk]

Msgr. Perl's letter answers specific questions of one who wrote to the commission. He certainly does not advocate participation in the schism of Lefebvre. No one has denied that SSPX Masses are valid, just that they are lawful. No one denies that SSPX priests are priests. Their ordinations, like the consecrations of any SSPX bishops who ordained them are valid but not lawful and are, thus, stolen goods. Perl makes clear that attendance at SSPX Masses is NOT recommended.

As I recall, there is more to the letter suggesting that that SSPX priests who adhere to Lefebvre's schism are excommunicated. Tell me again why Catholics should encourage the misbehavior of schismatics.

Msgr. Perl's letter amounts to a rejection of the ancient heresy of Donatism and an affirmation that a valid Mass by a valid priest, however illicit or sinful, is still a Mass. We have known that since the 4th Century. Flirting with and indulging bad habits is not a good idea. If you lie down with dogs, you get up with fleas. Charles Wilson's article is an excellent one. Lincoln's Bishop Bruskewitz is also an excellent one. Furthermore, he is right and he has the reposnsibility for his diocese.