“The SSPX plays fast and loose with Canon law and theology to suit its position at any given time”

Feb 17, 2025

Congratulations on your latest Heresy of the Week article on the SSPX, and your comments on the interview with “Bishop” Tissier de Malleray. I admire the courage with which you speak the truth and point out the contradictions and absurdity of the SSPX position of recognizing Benedict XVI as Pope while not being in communion with him.

I used to be involved with the SSPX (I was founder assistant editor of their Magazine in the UK entitled Mater Dei) but left it a few years ago, inter alia, because of its inconsistency on so many issues (e.g. the New Mass is “valid” but “evil”, the 1962 Mass is OK if we say it, but nobody should attend the same Mass if it is an Indult Mass and so on).

The SSPX plays fast and loose with Canon law and theology to suit its position at any given time. I was disgusted with the obsequiousness and fawning of SSPXers towards their priests to the point of idolatry, where “obedience” to the priest included intrusion into many aspects of people’s private lives.

I considered the SSPX to be more and more a cult. I entirely agree with you therefore in ridiculing the toadying of the interviewer. I also think that the SSPX is becoming its own church by granting annulments and having other “canonical commissions” which take more and more powers reserved to Rome upon itself.

The SSPX is absolutely unscrupulous in its selective or distortion of sources to support its position, as you have shown so well in your book Outside the Catholic Church There Is Absolutely No Salvation. By speaking the truth, without fear or concern for flattery and human respect, you have my admiration as so few so-called Traditional Catholic websites speak the truth clearly as you do. God Bless you and your ministry, and you have convinced me of the truth of the sedevacantist position.

Best wishes

Gerard