~~ Prologue ~~
Ahead of its threatened excommunication, the SSPX has responded with a “Declaration of Catholic Faith,” which, it says, “correspond(s) to the minimum indispensable to be in communion with the Church.” The Declaration is not a creed, but it lists twenty-two indispensable points of Faith.
Without specifically identifying them, each of the twenty-two points of the Declaration refutes one of the many affronts to the Faith committed by the post-conciliar Church, including, for example:
- The Post-Synodal Exhortation, Amoris Laetitia, on Holy Communion for couples in adulterous relationships.
- The Pan-Amazon Synod and its worship of Pachamama.
- The Abu-Dhabi Declaration and the Encyclical Fratelli Tutti, proclaiming that God wills a plurality of religions.
- Laudato Si’, on care for the planet through sustainable development.
- Mater Populi Fidelis, the Doctrinal Note diminishing the titles of the Mother of God and her role in the salvation of souls.
- The Declaration, Fiducia Supplicans, on the blessing of same-sex couples and the recent denial of their sinful relationship by Synod Study Group 9.
Suddenly, it is no longer about schism and excommunication of a disobedient order of priests. Now it is about the post-conciliar Church’s being called to account for its stewardship. The matter is not formally pending in some canon law forum; it is, however, implicitly pending before every member of the Order of Bishops.
Against this backdrop, the play begins.
The scene: a dimly-lit adoration chapel in a local parish. It is a weekday night, after dark. The sanctuary candle flickers red. The Holy Eucharist is present in the tabernacle that sits in the center of the altar.
A solitary figure in clerical attire kneels in the front pew. He is an older priest, but his bearing signals his importance. He is, in fact, the bishop of the diocese.
There is a gentle knock on the door of the chapel and a second priest enters. Almost the same age as the bishop, he is the pastor of the parish. He makes his way to the front pew, genuflects, and kneels beside the bishop. After some time in prayer, the two priests sit simultaneously.
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