The newly ordained priests are Lukasz Sydlowski from Poland (L-R), Thomas Suter from Switzerland and Hakan Erik Lindstroem from Sweden.
Above are photos from the beautiful (and valid!) Ordination Mass for the Society of St. Pius X (SSPX). His Excellency Bishop Alfonso de Galaretta ordained the young men to the priesthood.Image Source: REUTERS/Michaela Rehle (GERMANY RELIGION)
Recommended Reading:
Posts
4 comments:
Man, this is so sad. I love the zeal that these men have for Christ, but why do they have to express it in a way which will create further disunion, and yet another wedge between the SSPX and the Church universal? These ordinations, timed as they were, appear to be an intentional slap in the face of Pope Benedict and his attempt to reach out.
Canonist Ed Peters has some good insights on this over at http://www.canonlaw.info/2009/06/three-points-on-recent-sspx-ordinations.html
I understand liking the TLM, and even being hesitant about the OF, the post-conciliar Church culture (especially in the West), and perhaps even the Church Herself: but this seems to trespass basic bounds of charity, perversely, in a show of three young men's firm love for Christ and His Church.
"..beautiful (and valid)..."
However, you forgot to mention that it also was illicit.
SSPX FAQ
Remember, "So then, you will know them by their fruits" (Matthew 7:20 ). And what fruits do we see? We see reverence, faith, charity, prayer, etc. Have you ever attended an SSPX chapel before? Please consider it.
"And what fruits do we see?"
I see disunity, disillusionment with the Church (France, anyone?) and the loss of of something that was, at least, important to St. Jerome: "...I keep crying, 'He that is joined to the chair of Peter is accepted by me!'"
These are fruits of the schism-risking behaviours of the SSPX. (Notably, the 1988 episcopal ordinations.)
Reverence, faith, charity, prayer, etc. are fruits of the people within the society, and are aided BY the society. It's important to realize that there ARE bad fruits and what those fruits come from.
Thus, whilst I sympathize a great deal with Bp. Fellay (re:his recent interview with Fr. Rosica) and the SSPX in general, I have harsh things to say about the actions of the SSPX that have removed it from perfect communion with the Church.
The SSPX, as it stands, as an entity cannot be divorced either from the fruits of its members, nor those of its actions. Consequently, I will not attend an SSPX unless under obedience or certain cases where it is prudent to attend it. I will also not advocate participation in SSPX activities, except so much as they serve (as ecumenical relations with other religions are suppsoed to do) to bring the SSPX closer to unity with the See of Peter.
Post a Comment