The SSPX is Not the Problem

Nearly 10 years ago, my spiritual director suggested to me that I should teach a Church history class at my local parish. I asked my pastor, who thought it was a great idea. So I gave a talk once a month on a topic in Church history. Attendance was okay at first, but I noticed over time my audience was changing. A group of people, usually four or more, began coming and sitting together during my talks. One day, a young couple among them introduced themselves to me and told me they enjoyed my talks.

When I asked what parish they were from, they told me they attended St. Vincent de Paul. As it turns out, there was no parish by that name where I lived at the time; as I later learned, St. Vincent de Paul is the name of the chapel affiliated with the Society of St. Pius X. I have come to count that couple as dear friends of mine. I have also had some occasion since then to interact with other members of St. Vincent’s and a priest of the Society as well. My familiarity with the Society is not the most extensive, but from what I can tell, they are decent people striving to live the Catholic Faith.

I do not agree with everything their leaders have to say on things like Vatican II or with all the words and actions of Marcel Lefebvre; but on the whole, I have never really had any issue with the Society myself. Of course, I am a layman with no public authority in the Church whatsoever. For the hierarchy, it is very different obviously.
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The Society of St. Pius X made news recently with its announcement that in July of this year they will consecrate bishops without the consent of the Holy Father. I am not a canon lawyer nor a theologian, but I do know enough to say I think these issues are more complicated than many make them out to be. If the Society does go ahead with the consecrations, it will likely deepen the rift between the Society and Rome. This move would be an act of open defiance against Rome’s authority. But I doubt Rome will want to publicly declare the Society in schism if they do.

One reason is the optics. If defying Rome is all you need for schism, then parts of the Church have been in schism for decades. In large, metropolitan cities in the United States, “LGBTQ+” parishes have been openly flouting Church and papal teaching on sexuality for decades—without interference. The German Synodal Way has promoted heresy and radical forms of governance that are closer to schism than anything the SSPX has indulged in—without being disciplined. The Potemkin “Patriotic Church” of the PRC appoints bishops without any regard to Rome whatsoever or public protest from the Vatican.

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