SSPX in general

[TiddleTer]

At risk of being laughed at, mocked, attacked, deleted...

Until recently when I started seeing obvious abuses in the Masses and Catholic environment I am living in, I didn't know anything about or had even heard of SSPX.  To be honest, I have never attended a TLM, but look forward to the opportunity (if I can find one).  I've been reading this forum and looking at their website and everything, but more than anything I have really just confused myself.

I know why the SSPX split, but am still confused as to whether or not we can go to their Masses in good consience.  Could I get a really brief history over the split and whatnot?

Also, real quick and unrelated, I can't see the probem with attending NO Masses if no other is available, especially given circumstances like the military faces.

[requiemaeturnum]

Well, this matter is confusing to me as well. The way I see it...if you have to ask yourself if you can go in good conscience, you might as well not go to a SSPX chapel. You can find FSSP parishes here: www.fssp.org - I actually attend the FSSP Masses.

[jovan66102]

Well, this matter is confusing to me as well. The way I see it...if you have to ask yourself if you can go in good conscience, you might as well not go to a SSPX chapel. You can find FSSP parishes here: www.fssp.org - I actually attend the FSSP Masses.

 

Once again, I do not attend SSPX Masses, but I see absolutely no problem with attending them if they are the 'best thing' available, i.e. I would happily attend one in lieu of an abusive NO.

 

And to your last point, if nothing else is available I attend the NO.

[Seadog]

I know why the SSPX split, but am still confused as to whether or not we can go to their Masses in good consience.

Read this thread:
http://www.websitetoolbox.com/tool/post/apologia/vpost?id=3100841

[maurin]

According to the Holy Father in his accompanying letter to the Motu Proprio, the SSPX is an "internal" matter of reconciliation "within" the Church.  I am wondering how, if both "internal" and "within" have still retained their meaning of "inside", one could speak of the SSPX as having "split."

The status of the SSPX is irregular.  That does NOT mean that they are outside of Communion with His Holiness.

[SemperFidelis]

Some people are so anti-SSPX, they will just ignore what the Holy See has said about attending their Masses.  Such an anti-SSPX stance is written on their hearts, and is a most unfortunate disease.  I recommend reading Stevus' blog post in the thread Seadog linked to.

[AdoramusTeChriste]

Some people are so anti-SSPX, they will just ignore what the Holy See has said about attending their Masses.  Such an anti-SSPX stance is written on their hearts, and is a most unfortunate disease. 

Indeed.

[AdoramusTeChriste]

Also, real quick and unrelated, I can't see the problem with attending NO Masses if no other is available, especially given circumstances like the military faces.

You might want to try praying more.

As I have been reading through the threads today I have noticed that very few souls seem willing to pray and sacrifice for access to the TLM. If the laity sees no problem with attending the NOM, then why should we be surprised that the MP has not taken off very well?

Access to the TLM will be won by constancy in prayer, not waffling between the forms.

[StevusMagnus]

http://veritasvincit.wordpress.com/2008/11/11/can-i-attend-an-sspx-chapel-and-still-be-loyal-to-rome/

[Credo]

I had a response prepared about five minutes after you initially posted, TiddleTer. Then my computer froze. So here goes again:

I know why the SSPX split, but am still confused as to whether or not we can go to their Masses in good conscience.  Could I get a really brief history over the split and whatnot?

By way of accuracy, the SSPX has not "split" from the Church. There's enough information freely available online about the Society to get the gist of it's history.

However, I would highly encourage you to go beyond that and actually study the primary sources concerning the Society, it's relationship with Rome, attitudes on both sides, etc. Read autobiographies, sermons, newsletters, actual letter (e.g.: Bishop Williamson's published "Ridgefield Letters"), etc. From there you will get a better grasp of the SSPX's past and the issues surrounding it.

At the heart of the problems with the Society, such as the BS excommunications, lies political, not doctrinal, points.

Also, real quick and unrelated, I can't see the problem with attending NO Masses if no other is available, especially given circumstances like the military faces.

If there's a decent Novus Ordo around, go to it. Saint Paul is quick to remind us, "not to neglect the assembly." We need to pray with each other, we need each other for fellowship, and most of all, we need the Blessed Sacrament. Go if the Mass is available.