ultima, love ya but it drives me crazy when you make generalizations like this: "
You have been led to believe the pope is the faith." In fact, I believe this statement would have been more true pre Vatican II and probably quite common in my grandparents (and their's before them) day.
Saying something like that effectively puts you in the drivers seat, is snobbish and presumptuous and something that has been fully formulated in your own mind with no evidence provided to support the statement whatsoever.
You disagree with the validity of Vatican II, particularly the Mass of Paul VI.
The Church is not stagnant.
Wrong. I never questioned the validity of either the Council or Bugnini's Mass. I do think they were unwise and harmful, however--not the same thing.
My point with NYer was in reference to his comment that he follows the Magisterium and thinks this makes him a better Catholic than someone who sticks with tradition when it is opposed by the Pope. Sorry, but if the Magisterium is out of line with past teachings and tradition, it cannot be infallible and will lead its followers down a blind alley.
As for these FAQ postings lifted from an SSPX website--they have no more authority than a Q&A in your local diocesan newspaper. These are not official positions. In fact, if you study the official documents of the Society, you will find they are marked by balance and good sense.