The Catholic world has been in an uproar since February, when the Society of Saint Pius X, a Catholic order of traditionalist priests, announced its intention to consecrate bishops with or without papal approbation, for the second time since 1988. On May 26, the identities of their four candidates were revealed: one American, one Swiss, and two Frenchmen. 

The Society acknowledges the extraordinary nature of its action, but insists that the Church is in a serious crisis. Without their own bishops, it says, no one will ordain priests trained exclusively in traditional Catholic doctrine and liturgy, and the faithful who rely on them will be left without recourse.

The Church has found time for one last condemnation: that of its own tradition

The Church has found time for one last condemnation: that of its own tradition

The Society says they have requested Pope Leo’s approval, and have asked him to grant an audience so that they can explain their unique situation – so far in vain. Instead the Vatican, through Cardinal Fernandez, has threatened excommunication. 

While to outsiders this might seem a minor disciplinary matter, it is in fact a battle over the identity of the Church, fought between what is on one side, an uneasy conglomerate of cynics and idealists; and on the other, a tiny band of realists: the Society of Saint Pius X.

Dedicated to the preservation of traditional Catholic liturgy and doctrine, as they existed up until the Second Vatican Council, the Society is the most important opponent of modernization in the Church. It was founded in 1970 by then-retired Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, at the request of young men who wanted a pre-conciliar seminary formation. The priests he trained soon became in high demand around the world, as the faithful discovered that they would offer the same Mass and teaching as the Church had in former times. 

The vindication of ‘Sophie of........

© The Spectator