(LifeSiteNews) –– The Archdiocese of Puebla in Mexico warned its lay faithful against attending the “schismatic movement” of the Society of St. Pius X (SSPX) in May, after the traditional society of priests had completed the construction of a new chapel near San Pedro Cholula called Our Lady of the Angels. Meanwhile, following the recent consecration of the SSPX’s Immaculata chapel in St. Mary’s, Kansas, within the archdiocese of Kansas City, Archbishop Joseph Naumann said that while the SSPX isn’t in “full communion,” they aren’t “schismatic.”
“In short, by illegally celebrating the sacraments, they [ the SSPX] tear apart the unity of the Holy Catholic Church,” the Archdiocese of Puebla’s statement read. “Regarding the newly-built church, it is important to take into account that a church cannot be built without the express knowledge of the diocesan bishop, in writing, and said church [Our Lady of the Angels] does not have that permission.”
Meanwhile, following the recent consecration of the SSPX’s Immaculata chapel in St. Mary’s, Kansas – which was attended by more than 3,000 Catholics from around the world – Naumann told LifeSiteNews, “While regrettably the church [Immaculata] and the SSPX are not currently in full communion, the Archdiocese does not consider the SSPX to be schismatic.”
So, in Puebla, Mexico, Catholics are told by their archdiocese that the SSPX is in schism, while in Kansas City, Catholics are told they are not in “schism,” but are also not in “full communion.”
Interestingly, the Second Vatican Council, in its official documents and in a host of ecumenical events held thereafter, painstaking efforts have been made to emphasize that Protestants, who reject essential dogmas of the faith, are in communion, albeit of an “imperfect” nature.
However, the Catholic Church has also emphasized that the SSPX is Catholic and unlike the Protestants, do not call for a case of ecumenical dialogue.
Expanding on his statement, Naumann of Kansas City told LifeSiteNews that the Masses offered by the SSPX fulfill a Catholic’s Sunday obligation, but that the Masses are still considered illicit and therefore he cannot encourage Catholics attend.
But neither are they forbidden, and in fact, Catholics are allowed to fulfill their Sunday obligation and receive the sacraments as numerous letters issued by the now-suppressed Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei made explicitly clear, taking into account each individuals’ specific spiritual needs, circumstances and situation.
Imagine if bishops throughout the world had taken to heart with action the request of Pope John Paul II in Ecclesia Dei Adflicta: “To all those Catholic faithful who feel attached to some previous liturgical and disciplinary forms of the Latin tradition I wish to manifest my will to facilitate their ecclesial communion by means of the necessary measures to guarantee respect for their rightful aspirations. In this matter I ask for the support of the bishops and of all those engaged in the pastoral ministry in the Church.”
“Moreover, respect must everywhere be shown for the feelings of all those who are attached to the Latin liturgical tradition, by a wide and generous application of the directives already issued some time ago by the Apostolic See for the use of the Roman Missal according to the typical edition of 1962,” John Paul II extolled to bishops and priest alike, only to fall in many cases upon deaf ears and disobedient spirits.
Puebla Archbishop José Víctor Manuel Valentín Sánchez Espinosa provided three reasons for why he says the “Lefebvrists” – a derogatory term used to describe SSPX adherents, named after its founder Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre – are in schism and are celebrating illicit sacraments.
“One, they [the sacraments] are not celebrated in full ecclesial communion. Two, they are administered by headless priests – that is – they are not under ecclesiastical authority. They do not obey the Pope. They do not belong to any diocese or congregation and do not have ministerial license issued by the Archdiocese of Puebla. Three, those who have joined this schismatic movement can receive the penalty established for those who commit schism.”
The archbishop is also the president of the Episcopal Commission for Liturgical Pastoral Care of the Mexican Bishops’ Conference.
Despite the archbishop’s use of the term “Lefebvrists,” the last time I checked, no Catholics nor priests associated with the SSPX call themselves “Lefebvrists.” In fact, Lefebvre did not claim any special insights or charism of his own other than to pass on the Faith as he was given, and to help ensure that it continued after his death.
What is the purpose of using this pejorative label in a social media post when addressing faithful Catholics who are merely trying to live the Faith as all Catholic did until 1970? Is this the best method of true pastoral sensitivity by His Excellency towards his flock?
Moreover, a decree issued by the Holy See in 2009 remitted the excommunications of the bishops of the SSPX consecrated by Lefebvre without papal approval in 1988.
Early into his pontificate, Pope Francis granted permission for the SSPX priests to validly and licitly hear confessions. In 2017, Cardinal Muller issued a decree, under the authority of Pope Francis, encouraging Catholic bishops across the globe to work to grant faculties to SSPX priests to witness the sacrament of matrimony.
Naumann has supported this direction granted by the Holy Father. “The Archdiocese does, in support of Pope Francis’ pastoral outlook as expressed in the 2017 letter, grant SSPX priests the faculty to witness marriages when the priests request it,” he said.
“The Archdiocese understands that, at this time, the SSPX priests in St. Mary’s request faculties to witness all marriages at The Immaculata.”
Finally, this specific truth found in the letter to all of the bishops of the world issued by Pope Benedict XVI accompanying Summorum Pontificum, is instructive for reflection by Pope Francis, and all the clerics throughout the world.
Here Benedict outlined his motivations for issuing Summorum Pontificum, writing:
Looking back over the past, to the divisions which in the course of the centuries have rent the Body of Christ, one continually has the impression that, as critical moments when divisions were coming about, not enough was done by the Church’s leaders to maintain or regain reconciliation and unity.
One has the impression that omissions on the part of the Church have had their share of blame for the fact that these divisions were able to harden. This glance at the past imposes an obligation on us today: to make every effort to enable for all of those who truly desire unity to remain in that unity or to attain it anew.
I think of a sentence in the Second Letter to the Corinthians where Paul writes: ‘Our mouth is open to you, Corinthians; our heart is wide. You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted in your own affections. In return…widen your hearts also!’ (2 Cor 6:11-13).
Paul was certainly speaking in another context, but his exhortation can and must touch us too, precisely on this subject. Let us generously open our hearts and make room for everything that the Faith itself allows.