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

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.

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?

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).

Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.