I agree the document is very well written. And at parts is quite beautiful. But I still take a very dim view of it for three reasons.
1. It is presumptive to put out a contrary statement of faith when they have refused to accept the current Catholic statement of Faith. Most notably giving Religious submission of mind and will to non definitive Magisterial teachings. The Church is not a body of dueling creeds (as they note on their part on the fillioque.)
2. That in said statement of faith, argue many positions as definitively defined that the Magisterium has not defined or even taught the opposite of in Vatican 2. They are binding what they have no right to bind. Examples might be their bit in non Catholic religions or on Balthazarian theology. I'm not against people disagreeing or putting out statements that they disagree. Just not as a statement of faith in contrast to the Church.
3. In light of these other two points I question who is this Creed for? It's certainly not to get them in good graces with the Pope or the Bishops at large. There is more than enough inflammatory statements inside it. So then it's not in aiding in brifgeing the divide. Nor was it given with time for Rome to properly consider, read through and formulate a response to it before the proposed consecrations. No it seems by its contents and timing to be a rallying cry to the laity to join them into their schismatic actions. For that I find it repulsive.
Just a point of information for all. SSPX was excommunicated in 1988 by St John Paul II. Twenty one years later that was changed, excommunication lifted BUT they operate without Canonical status.
I had drafted a couple paragraphs about this but chose not to include it. The excommunications of the four who were ordained in 1988 were lifted in 2009, but the excommunication of Lefebvre was never lifted. Their canonical status has always been outside of the Church.
The amount of gaslighting from the SSPX apologists is wildly inaccurate on these points.
I agree the document is very well written. And at parts is quite beautiful. But I still take a very dim view of it for three reasons.
1. It is presumptive to put out a contrary statement of faith when they have refused to accept the current Catholic statement of Faith. Most notably giving Religious submission of mind and will to non definitive Magisterial teachings. The Church is not a body of dueling creeds (as they note on their part on the fillioque.)
2. That in said statement of faith, argue many positions as definitively defined that the Magisterium has not defined or even taught the opposite of in Vatican 2. They are binding what they have no right to bind. Examples might be their bit in non Catholic religions or on Balthazarian theology. I'm not against people disagreeing or putting out statements that they disagree. Just not as a statement of faith in contrast to the Church.
3. In light of these other two points I question who is this Creed for? It's certainly not to get them in good graces with the Pope or the Bishops at large. There is more than enough inflammatory statements inside it. So then it's not in aiding in brifgeing the divide. Nor was it given with time for Rome to properly consider, read through and formulate a response to it before the proposed consecrations. No it seems by its contents and timing to be a rallying cry to the laity to join them into their schismatic actions. For that I find it repulsive.
I also find it repulsive. Schism against the Barque of Peter is repulsive. Let us pray that the faithful do not fall for the confusing hoodwink.
Excellent article, relying on facts rather than emotions from a well informed and thoughtful traditional Catholic.
Thank you, brother. I try my best to be charitable and fair.
Just a point of information for all. SSPX was excommunicated in 1988 by St John Paul II. Twenty one years later that was changed, excommunication lifted BUT they operate without Canonical status.
Thank you! Quite right, Peter.
I had drafted a couple paragraphs about this but chose not to include it. The excommunications of the four who were ordained in 1988 were lifted in 2009, but the excommunication of Lefebvre was never lifted. Their canonical status has always been outside of the Church.
The amount of gaslighting from the SSPX apologists is wildly inaccurate on these points.