SSPX East Coast Changes

[didishroom]

Well India does sound like punishment. 

[matthew_talbot]

Well India does sound like punishment. 

Fr. Pfeiffer is a wonderful priest. He undoubtedly could help to convert many souls. It makes sense to put such a priest where there is great need.

[mom]

Generally, very strong priests physically and mentally are sent to India (and other 'tough' countries). Fr. T Pfieffer is such a priest. His brother Fr. Joe Pfeiffer has been there a while already.  Fr. Zendejas has been overdue to leave Ridgefield. He has been their over 10 years and that is an eternity in the SSPX. They've cycled through dozens of associate pastors, some very quickly, I think a new pastor will be a good thing for them.
Fr. Z will be an asset in NM with his bilinguality and knowledge of Mexican culture and traditions. He definitely brightened up whitebread CT with his heritage and traditions. Never forget a bunch of pasty New Englanders yelling "Viva Christo Rey!!" at the top of our lungs

[Texican]

Knowing how the SSPX works, those types of "reassignments" are a type of punishment. Wonder what they did???

Or maybe, they have a lot of confidence in their abilities and/or strengths.  Obviously, those assignments are a challenge, and there is a need for someone that can meet that challenge head-on.

That, or maybe I've been punished all this time...   

[mom]

Or maybe, they have a lot of confidence in their abilities and/or strengths.  Obviously, those assignments are a challenge, and there is a need for someone that can meet that challenge head-on.

Correct. When the SSPX punishes a priest for misconduct they are usually sent to a non-pastoral/monastic setting.

[dymphna17]

Generally, very strong priests physically and mentally are sent to India (and other 'tough' countries). Fr. T Pfieffer is such a priest. His brother Fr. Joe Pfeiffer has been there a while already.  Fr. Zendejas has been overdue to leave Ridgefield. He has been their over 10 years and that is an eternity in the SSPX. They've cycled through dozens of associate pastors, some very quickly, I think a new pastor will be a good thing for them.
Fr. Z will be an asset in NM with his bilinguality and knowledge of Mexican culture and traditions. He definitely brightened up whitebread CT with his heritage and traditions. Never forget a bunch of pasty New Englanders yelling "Viva Christo Rey!!" at the top of our lungs

I thought they were sent to St. Mary's.  Where they can then be mentally torn down and physically exhausted.  My mistake. 

  for both excellent priests.

[mom]

I do know  a priest headed to St. Mary's who is feeling some trepidation about going. He's BTDT and knows what is in store.

[Gerard]

Internal politics and battles do occur in the SSPX. As wonderful as they are in general, they are all still human.    I've heard priests state that certain clergy were being "exiled" because they simply weren't liked  by a particular superior.  Groups of priests that work very well together or have a particular zeal for being publicly Catholic and making no bones about wanting to convert the entire culture into a Catholic one are not appreciated by those who consider it imprudent and who have the power to break up these collaborative efforts.  Sometimes it's over how much a priest spends on Church renovations or if they are developing a reputation as a great speaker or pastor that goes well beyond their immediate congregation. 

 

[dymphna17]

I do know  a priest headed to St. Mary's who is feeling some trepidation about going. He's BTDT and knows what is in store.

What is BTDT?

[MagisterMusicae]

Sometimes I think we read far too much into these transfers.

The SSPX transfers priests frequently for two reasons:

1. Most priests are overworked, but SSPX priests, in particular, are often expected to do a great deal of work. Often they are reassigned to give them less of a work load to allow them to take a break from the grindstone. Eventually they are then reassigned after their period of rest to another place.

2. As the SSPX is primarily missionary, they want to avoid long-term appointments because it can entrench a priest in one particular parish and on one particular group of people far too much. Since the SSPX mission is the preservation of the priesthood, and not primarily the service of the faithful, they move priests to ensure that these priests keep a perspective that they are working for a larger purpose than one single parish. This also avoids the appearance of favoritism and helps priests to not form too close of a bond with any one group of faithful.


It is important to remember that every priest, like every man, has particular gifts, and particular liabilities (weaknesses). The assignment they are given is meant to help utilize their strengths and avoid their weaknesses, even providing these priests a means to help overcome these weaknesses.

Some priests may be great administrators, but terrible pastors. Some may be very gifted at teaching, others would make poor teachers. Some are very hardworking and missionary, hence India would be a fertile soil for conversions and evangelism, others would suffer terribly and not be able to handle such an environment. Some priests are needed to help work on the Society's discussions with the Holy See, others needed to teach at Seminaries. Some have shown man weaknesses, and need to be reassigned and "punished" a bit for not working to combat those weaknesses.

There are many reasons to transfer a priest.

For instance, I know that Fr. Timothy Pfeiffer was very interested in becoming a foreign missionary in his younger years, so for him, this is very likely a happy assignment. Another priest I know, but won't reveal the name, was reassigned last year in anticipation of the upcoming doctrinal discussions, since his theological expertise was second to none.

Some assignments are, indeed, to take a priest out of a position of power and into a more secluded post, simply because the superiors think that he needs that kind of position. It is interesting to contemplate that in many cases, these "punishments" have saved a man's vocation, which would have otherwise been lost.

[Texican]

What is BTDT?

Been There, Done That

[OLOMC]

Having guest priests is nice and all, but it would be great to have a pastor again here in Florida.

[dymphna17]

What is BTDT?

Been There, Done That

Thanks! +1

Can't say as I blame him.  We'll keep him in our prayers. 

[SoCalLocal]

Why do so many automatically think of the worst? Can you say "conspiracy theory"? 

1) Rotations are common in religious orders as well as at the diocesan level. It keeps the priests learning and stops them from forming too-strong attachments. After all, they are supposed to be not of this world.
2) If these priests are as awesome as folks who know them say, couldn't it just be a case of sharing the wealth?
3) It's good for fundraising. Let me explain. My godmother's (affluent area) parish had a Marianist priest. He was well-loved. Then he got sent to Korea as a missionary. When he sent newsletters back with appeals for money, it wasn't some anonymous Fr. So-and-so sending out mass-mailings from a purchased mailing list, it was someone they knew and trusted.

[Credo]

Just to underscore the point: the reassignments, while stinky for the non-Ordained faithful, are not punishments for the priests involved. Both were on the East Coast for an extremely long time (in SSPX time, that is).