Disassociation with the Church’s Living Magisterium
Father Davide Pagliarani, the Superior General of the Society of Saint Pius X has rejected the offer of dialogue toward possible canonical status from Cardinal Victor Fernandez, Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. Many of us are deeply saddened by this as most of those who attend SSPX chapels simply love the old Mass and would prefer to stay within the Catholic Church. The SSPX projects itself as a stalwart of truth for certain doctrines against error but it does so with an adversarial spirit opposing the living Magisterium, itself. As creatures of habit, we must ask, has the SSPX become comfortable with its autonomy and lack of confidence in the promise of Christ to Peter? If so, then maybe we were fooling ourselves from the start in thinking there was any real chance for reunion?
The rejection of the Profession of Faith a few years ago, as formulated under Pope John Paul II, was immediate evidence for the “unapologetic defection” of the SSPX from Catholic unity. Still used today, this revised statement includes an Oath of Fidelity for those assuming Church offices. Doctrinal adherence always comes together with obedience. Definitively proposed teachings on faith and morals require firm acceptance by all given a mission from the Church. In addition to the Nicene Creed, the hold up for the SSPX is the “religious submission of will and intellect” to teachings by the Holy Father and bishops in union with him, the Magisterium, even when the teachings are not proclaimed by a definitive act. This religious respect cannot be reconciled with their argument for disobedience. God is not fooled and the SSPX cannot give lip service to the Roman Pontiff while reserving true governing authority to itself. All this might seem peculiar given that the Society seems prepared to swear upon the Catechism of Trent on behalf of timeless or changeless truths. But all is not as it seems.
While feigning loyalty to the past, their dissent from long accepted ecclesiology is certain. There is no way that men rejecting a host of Church teachings, tempting schism and racing towards excommunication, could readily affirm a statement expressly designed to ensure that those in authority positions, i.e. bishops, pastors, and religion teachers—should be one with the Roman Pontiff in holding fast to the deposit of faith and avoiding contrary doctrines. The SSPX prefers dead popes to living ones, not simply because they prefer anachronism and older formulations, but because dead popes cannot correct or discipline them.
While it might seem unbelievable, the SSPX could very well be a player in the prophesied Great Apostasy and subsequent Chastisement. Many are supposing that the defection from faith will be centered on Rome and yet we are assured by Christ that the faith of Peter will be sustained until he comes again. Despite allegations of hiding abusers in their ranks and intimidating witnesses, there is the naïve presumption that SSPX priests are holy and safe while the Novus Ordo men are largely secret sinners and evil pedophiles.
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