The Pope and Cardinal Ratzinger bent over backwards to accomodate this disobedient man. A deal was arrived at to which he signed his name. The next day he recanted and, not long afterwards, ordained his own Bishops. The SSPX thinks it is the Catholic Church and that Rome is in Schism; it thinks the Mass of Paul VI is invalid or so deficient that assisting at it does not fulfill one's Sunday Obligation; it thinks the Ecumenical Vatican Two Council taught heresy; it thinks it can erect a mirror church with its own Jurisdiction, Mnistry, and Canon Law etc etc.
It is amasing how this great Shepherd, Pope John Paul II keeps seeking out these lost sheep and the lost sheep respond by attacking the Shepherd and refuse to enter the sheepgate until the Vicar of Christ submit to them, the schismatics, and admit that Vatican Two taught error and is not binding , that the normative Mass is deficient and/or invalid, that the Catechism teaches error, that Canon Law must be reconsidered etc etc
Click here to read what they believe in their own words
Q. Aren't you being disobedient to the wishes of the Holy Father?
A. Yes, I am. However, you must understand that although obedience is good - Faith is better and is a virtue of higher rank. Our parents, our Priest, our Bishop or even the Pope cannot command me in obedience to do something against God or my soul. No power on earth is absolute. No one can command me to go to or partake of a Protestant service. "We must obey God rather than man." That was the answer of the Apostles when they were dragged before the Sanhedran.
Q. Why can't I go to the New Mass?
A. For some people it is obvious why a Catholic may not participate in the new service - the, so-called "Novus Ordo Missae." Others just can't see the reason. In Holy Mass we offer and worship Christ who is our sacrifice. In the new service is offered bread and wine, the work of human hands and the fruit of this world. In a word, the Novus Ordo Missae is a Protestant service which has been deceitfully handed to our non-suspecting Catholic people. Unbelieveably, it has been done by our bishops "in the spirit of Vatican II."
Q. Do I fulfill my Sunday obligation by going to the New Mass?
A. No. The Church obliges Catholics to keep holy the Sundays and Holy Days by hearing one whole Mass if they are able to do so. If there is no Mass available, but only the New Mass, I must skip it and keep Holy the Lord's Day by doing the next best thing.
I agree with you that JPII is a great shepherd, but while he has been trying to gather all the lost sheep (a wonderful and holy thing to do, IMO. I hope and pray for the reconcilliation of the Orthodox and flocks like the SSPX), JPII has been letting priests/teachers/bishops who are much less orthodox than the flocks JPII has been "echumening" with, teach and preach to the Catholics already in the fold. This has resulted in the mess that we are in now - starting before JPII but freefalling for the last 30+ years. I feel bad saying that, but I always remember that you should take care of your own house before you take care of someone else's. How can we be the light of the world with the state that the Church is in? IMO, the best way to echumenize others is to be a perfect example of Catholic Christianity.
What is truly amazing is that you would see JP2 as the great Shepherd, especially in light of what his church is now shown to be.
What we see when we look at JP2 is incredible arrogance, at best. Not one of us sees ourselves as lost sheep. Come to one of our liturgies and get back to me. Ours is from 300 AD. Step back in time to Byzantium and enjoy the experience of a true mystery, a reverent and profound worship of Christ. Now what could your church possibly offer to replace what we already have? Amazing.