“The SSPX is a traditionalist organization, founded in 1970 without approval. The Vatican has been in negotiations with them for decades. The Catholic Church does not recognize the priests ordained under the renegade bishop.”
Thanks...I was reading something else about them the other day but was confused. I had not heard of them. Glad someone asked.
Tax chick why did they spit? What was the bee in their bonnet?
As I understand it, the changes in the liturgy after Vatican II were a big part of the rationale, but the key issue was the declaration on religious liberty. Unless I’m mistaken, the SSPX believe that was a flat-out error in doctrine, which, they say, is evidence that the Council was illegitimate and its declarations not binding.
They were excommunicated when the founder, Archbishop Lefebvre, performed episcopal ordinations without authorization. There’s a legitimate apostolic succession, which is why their ordinations are valid and the Eucharist is the true Sacrament, but their whole organization is contrary to canon law (as understood by those who say such things, such as Pope Benedict).