The SSPX (is a Cult?) (From EWTN Q&A)

EWTN Catholic Q&A ^ | 7/11/2003 | "Anne"

[Pyro7480]

SSPX
Question from Anne on 07-10-2003:

Dear Fr. Levis,

Thanks so much for the work you do on this forum. I love reading Catholic Q&A, and you are my favorite expert.

I’ve read quite a few postings on the SSPX lately, some of them regarding the possibility of their joining full communion with the Church. Some people have seemed interested in joining because they're fed up with abuses some priests and bishops do in the Novus Ordo. I belonged to an independent church, then the SSPX for 19 years, and through the grace of God am back in communion with Rome. The SSPX does not believe the Novus Ordo mass is valid. My brother still belongs to the SSPX and was ordered by his priest to decline the invitation to be a groomsman in our wedding because of the “invalidity” of the mass. They are a cult, with the Archbishop Fellay holding the same power as the Pope in the eyes of their followers, though they will adamantly deny both of these facts. In many ways the SSPX holds a “Cafeteria Catholic” view, in that they pick and choose which teachings of the Pope fit their agenda. They claim they are only keeping tradition alive, and will merge back with the Church once the Pope “comes to his senses”, nullifies the Novus Ordo and reinstitutes the Latin Mass. This is simply not true even if this were ever to happen, because the bishops do not want to lose the power they hold over their flock, and although they claim they are only keeping the Latin Mass alive, they have made many new laws of their own. An example: My brother was not allowed to propose to his fiancé until he had his engagement blessed because his priest told him to break off an engagement is a mortal sin. Many priests in the SSPX also teach that Natural Family Planning is sinful because they claim it leads to contraception. They keep a tight grasp on their people, and as is typical of many cults, attempt to control almost every aspect of their lives. So many people suffer from scruples due to the over-pious fanaticism taught. The SSPX can be very appealing to those who love the Tridentine Mass, but they are wolves in sheep’s clothing. Many dioceses offer Indult Masses (which the SSPX claim is “a step down” because the priest saying the mass “compromises”). So if you love the Tridentine Mass, find an indult mass, but stay FAR FAR away from the SSPX!

Thanks and God Bless

Anne

Answer by Fr. Robert J. Levis on 07-11-2003:

Dear Anne, A wonderful story of your journey to a healthy Catholic life in a hectic time! Yes, what you say of the SSPX is true. Unfortunately as it grows older, more and more heresies will find their way in and the poor people will be led astray. Yes, keep them all in your good prayers. God bless you. Fr Bob Levis

[drstevej]

Thought you'd like this...

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-religion/947658/posts?page=24#24

[Polycarp]

In this regard, I read an interesting story about Einstein recently: Apparently one day this great man of science was visited by a young priest from New York, a Fr. Charles McTague. They sat down in his office, and Einstein proceeded to tell Fr. McTague that he wanted to talk to him about (of all things) the Catholic doctrine of the Holy Eucharist. It seems that Einstein was fascinated by the idea of a substance that you can’t see; a substance that has no shape or size or color. (A substance with no accidents as we say in theology.) As many of us know, the Church teaches that at the consecration of the Mass the substance of the bread becomes the substance of the Body and Blood of Jesus Christ, even though the accidents (in other words, the physical qualities) of the bread remain. Finally, at the end of the conversation, Einstein said to the priest, "Please send me any books in German that you can find that tell me about the Holy Eucharist." And that’s what Fr. McTague did.

[drstevej]

Interesting story. Makes the graphic almost spooky!

[TotusTuus]

Sn: You realize that if your bishop doesn't allow it he is in disobedience to the pope? Isn't that the same thing you're concerned about with the SSPX?

Lo: I'm not judging the SSPX and consider attendees to be fellow Catholics. Right now, I feel called to work for restoration "from within".

I need a little clarification. I was under the impression that for the Latin Rite all Priests were to know and be able to say Mass in Latin, Latin being the normative language for the Latin Rite. Permission from the Bishop is then needed to say Mass in the venacular (approved texts), not the Latin. This refers to the Order of the Mass approved by Pope Paul VI ("Novus Ordo").

An indult was given by the Pope to allow for use of the "Tridentine" Rite, with certain conditions attached, with the statement that he hoped it would be given wide and generous application by the Bishops. Conditions include that those using it recognize the validity of Vatican II. However, indults are contigent on the local Ordinary giving permission for it's use.

Is this correct?

[Snuffington]

Not sure about all the questions you ask. I'm sure the answers are available online with a little research.

My comment, though, was based on the pope's direction to the bishops in Ecclesia Dei for a "wide and generous" allowance for the old Mass. Longshanks said his bishop is disobeying that, and not allowing any Latin masses (by which I assume he means the Tridentine, not the Lating Novus Ordo).