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Hello everyone and welcome back to the Matthew Schreiner Podcast. And in this episode I thought I would give a brief look at the recent announcement by the SSPX or FSSPX. that they would be ordaining bishops in July.

First, let’s be clear about the SSPX, the excommunication placed upon them by Pope John Paul II was lifted by Pope Benedict XVI. The reason for the excommunication was because of the consecration of bishops done by Archbishop Lefebvre, without apostolic mandate.

In the Catholic Church in order for a bishop to be ordained, there is need for Apostolic mandate, which is apart of the Rite of Consecration of a bishop, namely, that a mandate written by the pope be presented and read. While the absence of the letter does not invalidate the bishop’s holy orders, it does make it questionable, and the consecrated or ordained and the consecrator, or rather, consecrators, would be excommunicated. The pope is the only one who can appoint a bishop. Take a look at the events that have transpired in New York. Pope Leo chose Bishop Hicks of Joliet to become the Archbishop of New York. And only the pope can do this. It’s not as if Cardinal Dolan had a list of people he wanted. Very well, he could have, and many bishops do, and will give suggestion to the pope, but it is ultimately the Pope, assisted by the Nuncio and Congregation of Bishops who decides who is to be made a bishop or who is to serve as a bishop.

An episcopal consecration can be done for multiple men who are to become bishops. This took place not to long ago in Chicago. I believe five men were ordained in Chicago to be associate bishops. At this ordination, each of the mandates was read, and all the men processed around the church to show, this is official. The same thing happens when only one bishop is to be ordained. That being said, the consecrator cannot choose to ordain any man he chooses, he can only do this by apostolic approval.

What is the role of a bishop? There exists multiple types of bishops. Titular Bishops are bishops who generally have another title, like Associate Bishop. They are given a titular see to be their actual see, actual territory they are in charge of. Titular sees are former sees, that are for all intents and purposes, sees only in name. Other roles of bishops include ordinary, either serving as a bishop of a diocese, or a extra-diocesan territory, like an ordinariate or military diocese.

The reason the SSPX have bishops is to have someone who governs over, and also to ordain priests. However compare that with the ICKSP and FSSP. They are overseen by priests, and ordination of priests for them is done by other bishops who choose to do the ordinations.

So, what is the state of the SSPX. Seemingly, they are in Communion with the church. They are given to have valid Confessions and Marriages. Catholics can fulfill their Sunday obligation by attending an SSPX mass. The pope has said that SSPX bishops do not need permission from the ordinary to ordain priests. So, seemingly, since Pope Benedict, the order and it’s priests are in communion with the church.

Here is how I am going to put this about the need of an apostolic mandate. A bishop serves in place of the pope, in looking over a certain territory, he then appoints priests to serve as his representative to a certain community. Or, to look at the ordinate or military diocese, the Pope appoints a bishop to oversee a certain congregation of priests devoted to a certain way of life and preaching, and then that ordinary appoints priests to serve certain special circumstances or places.

The SSPX, are not excommunicated. Intention to consecrate a bishop, means nothing, actually doing a schismatic act is when you get in trouble. For example, if a bishop ordains a woman, he and the woman he ordains are excommunicated. This is automatic. It is disobeying the rules of the church. The reason one would be excommunicated for ordaining a bishop without apostolic mandate, is because one is willfully denying the rules of the church, and going against the pontiff.

To be fair, there is still room for negotiation between Rome and the SSPX. The SSPX are not excommunicated until they ordain it, and even then, it’s not the whole order and it’s priests, it’s only the men who do it. At least, that is my understanding. However, seeing as the bishop is the one in charge of the order, then it remains to be seen.

Ultimately, one must listen to the proper authourity. If Rome says something, then we must listen. If your local ordinary has issued a message, listen to what he has to say.

My only reason to avoid the SSPX would be that, if they do not have permission to celebrate mass in your diocese, I would avoid it. If they are listed on the Diocese’s website, then there is no reason not to go. If you wish to go to the Latin mass, find a FSSP or ICKSP, or Diocesan Shrine near you. If you are not, I would then go to the SSPX, but keep a balance between them and a Diocesan Parish, or Eastern Catholic, Ordinariate, or other parish with permission to celebrate mass in your diocese, eparchy, or permission from the Ordinariate Chair, that is, Bishop.

If you have questions, contact your local pastor, or bishop. I am by no means an expert, so contact your local canon law expert, at 1-800-canon-law, for more information.

There are many reasons you should check out the Latin Mass if you are curious. I would advise you go at least once, and if you don’t like it, don’t go again, you are granted that freedom. If the SSPX is the only place you can experience the mass, go once or twice a month. You can fulfill your Sunday obligation, so if your traveling and an SSPX parish or shrine or chapel is near your hotel or were you are staying, feel free to go.

I hope this was a good look at the ongoing debate on the SSPX. As I said, I am by no means an expert, but I believe this to be good balanced and factual advise. Again, if you have questions, there are priest who can help you. I will share, I have never attended an SSPX mass, I have only attended the TLM at the FSSP, and once at a monastery in my diocese. God Bless!