Articles

Benedict XVI Heresies and Errors

Most Rev. Donald J. Sanborn
The Resurrection: Not the resuscitation of a corpse? An “evolutionary” leap? Not a historical event like Our Lord’s birth or crucifixion? St. Luke “contradicts” himself? How Benedict XVI’s new book Jesus of Nazareth resurrects modernist teachings condemned by St. Pius X — and in the process destroys Christ’s principal miracle, His Resurrection. (MHT Newsletter, April 2011)

Most Rev. Donald J. Sanborn
An in-depth analysis of Benedict XVI’s statement on condoms and of the reaction to it conservative Catholic circles. (Most Holy Trinity Seminary Newsletter, January 2011)

Most Rev. Donald J. Sanborn
Ratzinger alters the Good Friday prayer in the 1962 Missal for the conversion of the Jews. What’s next? The Breviary? St. Paul? (MHT Seminary Newsletter, March 2008)

Most Rev. Donald J. Sanborn
The July 10, 2007 Vatican document portrayed in the press as another “traditionalist” move by Benedict XVI in fact overthrows Catholic doctrine on the nature of the Church. (MHT Seminary Newsletter, August 2007)

Most Rev. Donald J. Sanborn
In a speech to the Curia, Benedict XVI uses desperate measures to try to save his baby — Vatican II — from the accusation of discontinuity with the past. Past church decisions, he says, are ‘contingent because they are related to a reality itself changeable’ — pure Modernism. The martyrs ‘died for religious liberty’ — pure blasphemy. (MHT Newsletter, Jan 2006)

Most Rev. Donald J. Sanborn
Benedict XVI prepares to ‘suppress’ Limbo — and promulgate a new feel-good heresy. (MHT Newsletter, Jan 2006)

Most Rev. Donald J. Sanborn
Vatican II’s teaching about the nature of the Church, who belongs to it, salvation outside it, and why the teaching is explicitly heretical. (Catholic Restoration, Sep-Oct 2004)

Most Rev. Donald J. Sanborn
Side-by-side comparison of Vatican II and pre-Vatican II teaching on (1) Whether heretical and schismatic churches are part of Christ’s Church. (2) Whether it is possible to be part of the Christ’s Church without submission to the Pope. (3) Whether the ‘one, holy, Catholic and apostolic Church’ becomes ‘present’ in every valid celebration of the Eucharist. (4) Whether the Holy Ghost uses schismatic and/or heretical sects as means of salvation. [PDF, Catholic Restoration, Sep-Oct 2004]

Most Rev. Donald J. Sanborn
Will Benedict XVI throw traditionalists a bone like the traditional Mass to lure them into ‘reconciled diversity’ with Protestants and schismatics? Benedict XVI’s ecumenical/modernist heresies concerning the Church, the faith and religious evolution. (MHT Newsletter, May 2005)

Rev. Anthony Cekada
What are we to make of Ratzinger? Preliminary considerations about his record, his teachings and the consequences. (Sermon, Cincinnati, 24 April 2005)

Rev. Francesco Ricossa
Ratzinger and the modernist protestant Cullmann cook up an ecumenical church of the future. (Sodalitium 1993)

Most Rev. Donald J. Sanborn
Ratzinger and John Paul II approve a rite of Mass with no consecration. The fruits of false ecumenism. (MHT Letter, February 2002)

Most Rev. Donald J. Sanborn
Ratzinger’s and John Paul II’s supposedly traditional declaration is loaded with heresies about the nature of the Church. (MHT Newsletter, October 2000)

Most Rev. Donald J. Sanborn
Vatican II, John Paul II, and Benedict XVI teach a heretical notion of the Church. A milestone study, (Sacerdotium 5, Autumn 1992)

Most Rev. Donald J. Sanborn
The heresies in the 31 October 1999 Declaration signed in Augsburg by the Lutherans and John Paul II’s representative. (MHT Letter, January 2000)

Canon Law

Rev. Anthony Cekada
Refutes charges that traditional Catholics are “outlaws.” Also demonstrates that too-literal application of the Code (a la “Home-Aloners”) would eliminate every sacrament but baptism in danger of death. (Sacerdotium 7, Spring 1993)

Rev. Anthony Cekada
The Prayers after Low Mass and Fatima. Origins and purpose of the prayers. Is the St. Michael Prayer connected to a vision? Did the Church’s enemies suppress a “prophetic” version of it? Church law and the obligation to say the Leonine Prayers. Substitution of other prayers. (Sacerdotium 5, Autumn 1992)

Feeneyism

Rev. Anthony Cekada
Debate occasioned by Fr. Cekada’s earlier article, “Baptism of Desire and Theological Principles.” Objections answered: Is rejecting the teachings a mortal sin? Different theological categories? What about “Unanimity”? Was Fr. Feeney a “theologian”? How are baptism of desire and blood defined? Does this contradict Trent? Fundamental error of Feeneyism: Rejecting the rules for belief laid down by Vatican I and Pius IX. (Email exchange: March 2001)

Rev. Anthony Cekada
The main problem with the Feeneyite position: A rejection of the universal ordinary magisterium and of the fundamental principles by which issues in Catholic theology must be decided. With chart analyzing the teaching of 25 theologians on baptism of desire and baptism of blood. (Conference notes: July 2000)

Rev. Anthony Cekada
(Sacerdotium 14, Spring 1995)

FSSP: St. Peter Fraternity, ect.

Rev. Anthony Cekada
(Sacerdotium 14, Spring 1995)

John Paul II / Vatican II Errors

Most Rev. Daniel L. Dolan
John Paul II is an apostate because he is an ecumenist. The consequences: Separation from the Church, loss of authority, promulgation of apostasy as the rule of faith and discipline. Theological problems with SSPX’s response. Conference, France, August 2000. (SGG Newsletter 52 supplement, Autumn 2000)

Rev. Curzio Nitoglia
The errors of Vatican II and John Paul II on (a) personalism, (b) the ‘extension’ of the Church to non-Catholic sects, and (c) collegiality. (Sacerdotium 13, Autumn 1994)

Liturgy: John XXIII / Pius XII Changes

Rev. Anthony Cekada
Stability and the legislator’s intention. Principles and precedents for the Novus Ordo in the Pius XII reforms. Indefectibility. Are you “pope-sifting” à la SSPX? Are you disobedient to lawful authority? “Last true pope” principle is impossible to apply consistently. (Internet, 11 July 2006)

Rev. Anthony Cekada
Why the general principles of church law allow us to reject pre-Vatican II liturgical changes that were the work of Annibale Bugnini, the modernist who went on to create the Novus Ordo. (Internet, 27 April 2006

Most Rev. Daniel L. Dolan
A comparison of the Missals of Pope St. Pius X and Pope John XXIII

Most Rev. Daniel L. Dolan
The modernist hand in the Pius XII and John XXIII liturgical changes that paved the way for the New Mass. Response to SSPX program to implement these changes in the U.S. (The Roman Catholic. June 1983)

Rev. Francesco Ricossa
Details on the deficiencies of the 1955 Holy Week rites and the John XXIII reforms, including testimony from a conservative Vatican II liturgist on the bad effect of these reforms. (The Roman Catholic, Feb-Apr 1987)

Modern Errors

Most Rev. Donald J. Sanborn
The priest scandals are the result of loss of faith, repudiation of traditional spirituality, denial of hell, psychology, death of outrage, no objective morality, no more anathemas. Something is indeed deeply wrong. (MHT Letter, March 2002)

Most Rev. Donald J. Sanborn
One of the modern world’s dogmas, reexamined in light of the Catholic faith. (Sacerdotium 14, Spring 1995)

Motu Mass

Rev. Anthony Cekada
Benedict XVI ‘liberates’ the 1962 Missal. Welcome to his rainbow! Positive aspects: Admission of failure. Removing the stigma. Cause of division. Intro to the real issues. Negative aspects: Co-opted by modernist ‘sensibility.’ Side chapel in an ecumenical church. Ritual without dogma. Legitimizing rebellion. Non-priests offering invalid Masses. (PDF, Internet, July 2007) [7 July 2007]

New Mass

Rev. Anthony Cekada
SSPX, The Remnant, and countless traditionalist groups have claimed that Paul VI didn’t follow the correct legal procedures for abolishing the old Mass and promulgating the New Mass. Fr. Cekada explodes this myth and lays out the consequences. (SGG Newsletter 49, February 2000).

Pastoralia

Rev. Anthony Cekada
(Sacerdotium 14, Spring 1995)

Rev. Anthony Cekada
Short resume of the rules for combating this difficult spiritual affliction. (Pamphlet, 1985)

Rev. Anthony Cekada
A priest and seminary professor answers the lay “experts” who condemn NFP as sinful. Resume of general principles, requisite conditions and gravity of obligations. (Pamphlet, September 1998)

Rev. Anthony Cekada
Don’t drive newcomers away from the traditional Mass. (Sacerdotium 11, Spring 1994)

Sacraments

Rev. Anthony Cekada
An editorial by Abbé Grégoire Celier published by the SSPX French District employs some novel and (frankly) weird principles to defend the validity of the 1968 Rite of Episcopal Consecration. (PDF, Internet, May 2007)

Rev. Anthony Cekada
The 1968 Rite of Episcopal Consecrations. Replies to objections from Br. Ansgar Santogrossi OSB, Fr. Pierre-Marie de Kergorlay OP and Fr. Alvaro Calderon SSPX against Fr. Cekada’s study “Absolutely Null and Utterly Void.” (PDF, Internet, January 2007)

Rev. Anthony Cekada
In March 2006 Fr. Cekada published “Absolutely Null and Utterly Void,” a lengthy study demonstrating that the 1968 Novus Ordo Rite of Episcopal Consecration is invalid. This article is a two-page resumé of the original study. Photocopy and distribute! (SGG Newsletter, October 2006)

Rev. Anthony Cekada
The 1968 Rite of Episcopal Consecration is invalid. The consequences: Benedict XVI and the rest of his modernist hierarchy are not real bishops, and ordinations conferred in “Indult” organizations are invalid. Examines the criteria for validity, Eastern Rite formulas, ancient Christian texts, early doubts about validity, “governing Spirit” vs. “fullness of the priesthood,” substantial change, arguments from context, papal approval. Answer to SSPX/Angelus and Sel de la Terre articles by Fr. Pierre-Marie favoring validity. Extensive bibliography. A monumental study. [PDF, Internet 25 March 2006]

Rev. Anthony Cekada
The problem of untrained traditionalist clergy. (1) Canonical criteria for determining fitness for priestly ordination. (2) Sinfulness of conferring orders on the unfit. (3) Orders conferred by the unfit enjoy no presumption of validity. (4) The unfit may not exercise their orders. (5) Objections and answers. A major canonical study. (Monograph, 2003)

Rev. Anthony Cekada
Divine law obliges traditionalist priests to confer sacraments, and renders their apostolate legitimate. Human ecclesiastical laws which would otherwise forbid this have ceased due to the apostasy of the post-Vatican II hierarchy. (Monograph, July 2003)

Rev. Anthony Cekada
Did Abp. Lefebvre confer a ‘dubious’ ordination? A thorough and scholarly examination of the issue in light of moral theology, history, Eastern rites, canonists, and papal practice. (Booklet November 2000)

Sedevacantism Pope Issue

Rev. Anthony Cekada
Despite what Christopher Ferrara and SSPX types claim, if you believe Paul VI was a true pope, Vatican II is indeed obligatory. And you can’t use Vincent of Lerins to turn the magisterium into the doctrinal equivalent of Country Buffet. (Internet, Jan 2006)

Most Rev. Donald J. Sanborn
In two Kyrie Eleison blog posts, #343 and #344 (February 8 and 14, 2014), Bp. Richard Williamson proposed a number of arguments against sedevacantism. What occasioned the bishop’s comments was an emerging tendency towards sedevacantism among the priests who left SSPX over the past two years in response to the prospect of an SSPX-Rome deal. Bp. Donald Sanborn analyzes Bp. Williamson’s four main arguments in light of what pre-Vatican II theologians teach about the hierarchy, the indefectibility of the Church, the infallibility of the universal ordinary magisterium, and the sin of heresy. Also: the disturbing parallels between Bp. Williamson’s and Hans Kung’s notions of infallibility. (MHT Seminary Newsletter, February 2014)

Rev. Anthony Cekada
A clear and concise survey of the sedevacantist argument, based on the teachings of pre-Vatican II canonists, dogmatic theologians and popes. First published in 1995 as a booklet, and revised in 2006 to address various objections, Traditionalists, Infallibility and the Pope has enjoyed a world-wide circulation. Despite its continuing popularity, it is the one major treatise on sedevacantism that the Society of St. Pius X has never even attempted to answer.

Rev. Anthony Cekada
The problem of una cum traditional Latin Masses—those at which the priest mentions Benedict XVI as “our pope” during the first prayer of the Canon. (1) What does the prayer for the pope mean? (2) Can’t I “withhold consent” from it? (3) What’s wrong with participating in it?. (4) Objections and responses. A resumé of Fr. Cekada’s longer theological study, “The Grain of Incense.” (Pamphlet, November 2008)

Rev. Anthony Cekada
Should we assist at traditional Masses offered “together with Thy servant Benedict, our Pope”? (1) The linguistic and theological meanings for the prayer for the pope in the Canon. (2) How you actively participate in that prayer. (3) Why it is wrong for you to do so. A major study, based on liturgical commentaries, moral theology, canon law, Vatican decrees and papal pronouncements. (Monograph, November 2007)

Most Rev. Donald J. Sanborn
Is the question of whether Ratinger is true pope “just a matter of opinion”?

Rev. Anthony Cekada
A short case for sedevacantism. Can one recognize and then ‘resist’ a true pope? The nature of heresy. Ratzinger’s ‘Frankenchurch’ heresy that denies an article of the Creed: I believe in one Church. (Remnant, November 2005)

Rev. Anthony Cekada
Systematic refutation of a widely-circulated attack against sedevacantism. Among topics discussed: ‘absurdity’, dead church, long vacancy of Apostolic See, perpetual successors, judging the First See, manifest heresy, doctrines denied, heretical actions, the pope on trial, presumptions of guilt, John XXII and Honorius cases, right-to-resist-the-pope quotes, Paul IV’s Bull on a heretical pope. (Internet, August 2005)

Rev Anthony Cekada
Analysis of a passage in St. Robert Bellarmine on ‘resisting’ the pope that traditionalists have misinterpreted for decades. (St. Gertrude the Great Newsletter, October 2004.)

Rev. Anthony Cekada
Some common objections: Conclave rules, public and notorious heresy, declarations and the Bellarmine “resistance” quote. (Article, August 2004)

Rev. Martin Stepanich OFM, STD
Did Our Lord intend that there should be a pope on the Chair of Peter every single moment of the Church’s existence and every single moment of the papacy’s existence? (Letters November 2002, March 2003)

Most Rev. Daniel L. Dolan, B.F. Dryden
The public defection from the Catholic faith by Vatican II, Paul VI and the modernist hierarchy brought automatic loss of office.

Most Rev. Donald J. Sanborn
The authority of the Church cannot give evil. The positions of the Fraternity of St. Peter/Indult, SSPX, and sedevacantists on the Vatican II changes, analyzed in light of this principle. (Sacerdotium 1, Autumn 1991)

Rev. Anthony Cekada
Letter to The Remnant giving a short explanation of the pope issue. (Letter, May 1992)

Rev. Anthony Cekada
How SSPX, The Remnant, others, use a quote out of context. (Sacerdotium 12, Summer 1994)

Most Rev. Donald J. Sanborn
How reconcile the individual conscience with the necessity of holding that John Paul II is not the Pope? Are you raising theological opinion to the level of dogma? (Sacerdotium 2, Winter 1992)

Most Rev. Donald J. Sanborn
Answer to the objection against sedevacantism: that Paul VI and his successors possessed legitimate authority, that Vatican II and the subsequent reforms must therefore be accepted, and that to say otherwise is to fall into the error of private interpretation.(Sacerdotium 4, Summer 1992)

Rev. Anthony Cekada
Systematic refutation of an SSPX apologist’s critique of sedevacantism. (Sacerdotium 16, Spring 1996)

Rev. Anthony Cekada
Letter to a priest about a pastoral approach to the pope issue. (Sacerdotium 15, Autumn 1995)

Rev. Anthony Cekada
refutation of an SSPX apologist’s critique of sedevacantism. (Sacerdotium 16, Spring 1996)

SSPX: Society of St. Pius X

Most Rev. Donald J. Sanborn
A critical analysis of the letters of Bishop Williamson, Benedict XVI and Bishop Fellay on the possibility of an SSPX “reconciliation.” Bishop Williamson calls his statement on the Jews “an opinion.” Ratzinger offers SSPX an ecumenical olive branch to enable them to “move beyond one-sided positions,” and break down “rigidities, so that positive energies could emerge for the whole.” Bp Fellay wants to consider Vatican II “in light of tradition” and speaks of “debates” with the Vatican, but what new meaning will he “discover” for its heresies after all these years? Bishop Williamson seems to opt for silence instead of savaging Vatican II. Prediction for the SSPX/Modernist marriage: Start up the music again. (MHT Seminary Newsletter, April 2009)

Most Rev. Donald J. Sanborn
(1) Review of the positions of SSPX. Recognize and resist. Endless contradictions. Basic principle: WWLD — what would Lefebvre do? (2) Ratzinger (Benedict XVI). The ecumenist, desperate for a deal. (3) Bp. Fellay, the theological disaster. Fudging on religious liberty, adopting Frankechurch terminology, and discovering his Jewish “elder brothers.” (4) Bp. Williamson, the star of the show. A diversion from the real problem. His views on Jews a “surprise”? Secularist hypocrisy on “free speech.” (5) Outlook for SSPX. Predictions: Bp. Williamson will recant. Bp. Fellay will do the deal. SSPX will experience no significant exodus. (!) (MHT Seminary Newsletter, February 2009)

Rev. Anthony Cekada
The history of our court battle (1983-1987) with Abp. Marcel Lefebvre and the Society of St. Pius X. (1) Contributing Factors: The mentality of the Nine. Abp. Lefebvre’s change of course after the death of his great enemy, Paul VI, and his negotiations with “Rome”. What kind of organization is SSPX, anyway? Shifting policies on property. (2) Theological Issues: Abp. Lefebvre allows doubtfully-ordained priests to work in SSPX. The John XXIII (Bugnini) Missal. Summary expulsions of priests. SSPX as substitute magisterium. Loyalty to the “positions” of Abp. Lefebvre above all. Acceptance of phony annulments. (3) The April 1983 Break: Fr. Sanborn’s removal. The April 27 showdown with Abp. Lefebvre and the expulsions. (4) The Lawsuits. A multi-front battle. (5) The Settlement. The “silver bullet.” Settlement negotiations. SSPX takes a buyout — and gets stung by its own paranoia. (6) Effects of the Suits. For SSPX: America under foreign masters, loyalty oaths, the Nine as boogey-men, pastoral setbacks. Subsequent apostolate of the Nine: theological studies, other bishops, seminaries, contacts with other clergy. America as a “sedevacantist bastion.” (PDF, Internet, October 2008)

Rev. Anthony Cekada
Ratzinger a heretic? “No,” says Bp. Williamson of SSPX, “he just has a sick mind…” However: (1) The “sickness” — faith without certitude — proves Ratzinger is a heretic. (2) The modernist Ratzinger is condemned as a heretic by his own oath. (3) A crazy pope loses office. (4) Bp. Williamson confuses the sin of heresy (no warnings needed!) with the crime of heresy. And… a word on the SSPX “party-line” mentality. (Internet, September 2006)

Most Rev. Donald J. Sanborn
Why it is wrong to assist at SSPX Masses — and seriously wrong. The “una cum” problem: Traditional Masses where the priest names Benedict XVI in the Canon as a true pope. (MHT Seminary Newsletter, 2002) (PDF file)

Rev. Anthony Cekada
What type of organization is the Society of St. Pius X according to the principles of canon law? Is it really something like a religious order? Do priests who leave it become “public sinners”? Response to a commentary by SSPX seminary rector Rev. Peter Scott. (Internet, August 2006)

Most Rev. Donald J. Sanborn
The problem of assisting at Masses where a post-Vatican II “pope” is named in the Canon of the Mass. (Sacerdotium 6, Winter 1996)

Rev. Donald J. Sanborn
SSPX’s former U.S. seminary Rector on the theological zig-zagging that led to the expulsion of nine American priests in 1983, and that leads to regular eruptions in SSPX every few years. (The Roman Catholic, 1984)

Rev. Anthony Cekada
An SSPX District Superior requires that confirmands from sign a lengthy oath against Fr. Cekada et al. (Pamphlet, March 1990)

Nine American Priests of SSPX
March 1983. Outlines serious problems in the Society: (1) Use of priests ordained with the doubtful Novus Ordo rite. (2) Imposition of John XXIII ‘liturgical reform’. (3) Expulsion of priests. (4) Usurpation of teaching authority of the Church. (5) Loyalty to SSPX replaces fidelity to principles of the Church. (6) SSPX’s acceptance of the bogus modernist marriage annulments. This letter led to the expulsion of the signers from SSPX one month later. (The Roman Catholic, May 1983)

Rev. Robert L. Neville
A young priest respectfully explains the theological reasons that led him to resign from SSPX. (Letter, December 1997)

Most Rev. Donald J. Sanborn
One of Abp. Lefebvre’s first seminarians points out why SSPX’s theological inconsistencies have harmed both the organization itself and the traditional movement in general. (Sacerdotium 12, Summer 1994)

Thuc, Abp.

Rev. Anthony Cekada
An old canard about Abp. Lefebvre’s ordination. (Letter. August 2003)

Most Rev. Richard Williamson
Facsimile and transcript of an October 21, 1993 letter. Bp. Richard N. Williamson, the Rector of the Society of St. Pius X’s U.S. seminary, responds to an inquiry about Bp. Dolan’s consecration and about Fr. Cekada’s study, ‘The Validity of the Thuc Consecrations.’

Archbishop Thuc
Facsimile and translation of Latin text written by Abp. Thuc on Oct. 18, 1981, the day after he consecrated Bp. Moises Carmona, from whom Bp. Dolan derives his episcopal orders.

Rev. Anthony Cekada
It is erroneous to maintain that a 1951 decree and a 1958 encyclical of Pius XII excommunicating bishops in Communist China would apply to traditional Catholic bishops of our own time. Introductory Note. Text of Decree and Encyclical.

Most. Rev. Daniel L. Dolan
Refutation of unfounded accusations against the validity of the episcopal consecrations conferred by Abp. P.M. Ngo-dinh-Thuc. Excerpt from a conference delivered in France in October, 1999.

Rev. Anthony Cekada
Examination of 1981 episcopal consecrations of three traditionalist priests by Abp. P.M. Ngo-dinh-Thuc, retired Archbishop of Hué, Vietnam. (Sacerdotium 3, Spring 1992)

Traditionalist Controversy

Rev. Anthony Cekada
Conflicting accounts by participants lead to an unsettling conclusion. (Internet, September 2006)

Rev. Anthony Cekada
Bp. Clarence Kelly’s communion rules divide traditional Catholic families and violate canon law. (Pamphlet, October 2002)

Rev. Anthony Cekada
The Order of St. John claims it is the ‘true’ Knights of Malta, and operates chapels where the traditional Mass is offered. An examination of its dubious historical claims and ecumenical connections. (The Roman Catholic, December 1981)

Rev. Anthony Cekada
Whatever this group’s past difficulties may have been, it is wrong to claim that its members were “schismatic” or “Old Catholic.” (Pamphlet, October 1993)

Most Rev. Donald J. Sanborn
Disagreements arise among traditionalist clergy. The causes and cures. (Sacerdotium 10, Winter 1994)

Rev. Anthony Cekada
The article that coined the term. ‘Home-Aloners’ are traditionalists who maintain all traditional chapels are illicit and evil. (Pamphlet, February 1993)