| Jurisdiction It would be worth pausing to reflect on what constitutes a valid priest. In the time of the Protestant reformation in England, the Catholic Church went underground and many doubtful ordinations etc – (doubtful as to jurisdiction – or the validity of the bishop etc) occurred. In solving this problem the Pope declared (APOSTOLICAE CURAE – Leo XIII - Paragraphs 9, 10, 11, 12) that all those Catholic clergy ordained by a correctly ordained/consecrated bishop according to the correct rite were valid - whether or not that bishop was in schism etc. The welfare of the laity was paramount – it is for the sake of the recipient that a sacrament is a true sacrament where the rite is correct. A person in receipt of a sacrament cannot be expected to require the provider to account for himself as a truly ordained priest without ever having a heretical thought etc etc. The result would be chaos. In such matters it can be clearly seen that the rite’s correctness is the pivotal issue. Another example is Constance itself where two thirds of the Council were in Schism – yet there is no records of any ordinations, or other sacraments administered by those two thirds having been proclaimed invalid. With these examples before us can any person today argue that any priest or bishop who has been ordained correctly is illegal? The answer must be no – until there is a Pope with the authority and right to investigate further and make pronouncement; a correctly ordained priest is a priest. The fact that this causes so many to react with much head shaking and muttering is only more evidence of our need for a Pope. Only a universally accepted Pope can make a decision which will be at all palatable to the person whose validity is in question. Meanwhile, surely a person who has been ordained according to pre V2 rite has the ability to function as clergy - until such time as there is indisputably a Church authority re -established Some objections have been made - that today’s bishops and priests have not been ‘sent’ and therefore do not have jurisdiction – are therefore heretics, schismatics etc. It is only Church practice in recent centuries that bishops and priests are appointed and/or sent by their superiors – i.e. the Pope. Until lay investiture were abolished by Gregory VII as being problematical, bishops were consecrated and/or appointed by lay leaders etc. This example shows that the matter of being ‘sent’ or ‘incardinated’ or whatever is not dogma, it is ecclesiastical practise – and therefore subject to epikeia etc – and NOT a definite grounds for levelling charges of heresy and schism at people ordained/consecrated/practising without papal sanction in current times…. Two relevant quotes 1. On the need of a Pope: St Francis de Sales says ‘I ask you…if the Apostles…so steadfast and strong, need a conformer and pastor as the form…and visible maintenance of their union how much more now has the need of one, when there are so many infirmities and weaknesses in the members of the Church…’ And if, as St Jerome says in the time of the Apostles. ‘One is Chosen from amongst all, in order that, a head being established, occasion of schism may be taken away…’ St Francis continues with: ‘…how much more now, for the same reason, must there be a chief in the Church?’ From The Library of St Francis de Sales, Vol. III, p277 2. The onus on us all to save the Church: ‘To everything there is a season, and a time to every purpose under heaven.’ In ages past, saints rightfully awaited the results of God’s providence in their personal lives. But in the times of crises, we must remember such saints as Athanasius, Bernard, Norbert, Catherine of Siena, Pius V, Thomas More, and Pius X. They wished only to serve God in silence and obscurity, yet they were forced by circumstances to champion the Church. We can refuse the graces necessary to defend our faith and sit idly by while others work for God’s glory. But in passing up our tickets to sainthood, we should remember not to complain when the heat is turned up in the nether regions (Hell) courtesy – an interested party Plan of Action We, the laity, presume that the sede clergy in 2002 sincerely have the welfare of souls at heart. We ourselves are sedevacantists who do not adhere to any particular 'Pope' or sede group and so if you will permit us to say so we are able to appreciate all of them without bias. It is clear that most are truly pious men who would more than adequately be able to unite and solve the crisis of Church and restore the Papacy. The need for unity is paramount. A person who refuses to realise that can legitimately be suspected of having a personal agenda which has little to do with the welfare of souls and all to do with giving utterance of his own developed manifesto. Once united, the sede clergy can collectively decide whether they will accept one of the 'Popes' already elected - or - as is more likely - ask them all to stand down and call for a new Papal election. We personally will have no part of that - our concern is only that the sede clergy realise this need for unity - which they then collectively decide is irrelevant to the laity. We have spent some months trying to contact anyone we perceive to be in the sedevacantist Church – or who would be if given the chance. It has been pointed out to us that many of those we’ve written to are not true sedevacantists etc – this was a mistake made through the impossibility of researching every name we found – on internet sites etc. No harm has been done – what is needed is publicity and in any case we are not ashamed of our Church and Faith. To the future we hope to involve every person who considers himself clergy – as well as keep informed any laity that are interested. The one requirement is that the person be a sedevacantist Catholic who adheres to the Faith promulgated pre 1958. Those actively involved in any election would be those ordained according to a valid rite. Anyone else will be an interested supporter who will accept the outcome. At present we continue to organise this Crusade for Church Unity – but we anticipate we will be eventually mere administrative assistants as those of you with experience in Church diplomacy and management become involved and take over. It is for the sake of God that this Crusade is begun and by your very nature as priests and Church brethren we presume that all of you will join it. We ask you to write and indicate your support, whether through prayer and/or through your writings and canvassing. Few of us are rich but we will all have to account to God for what use we have made of the Faith he has with extraordinary Grace allowed us to keep in the face of outstanding odds. He has given us Faith and brains and a voice – let’s use them. GO FORTH, TEACH ALL NATIONS. That is your mission, given you by Almighty God Himself Final Point In the oath taken at the consecration of a Bishop, the Bishop Elect swears he will preserve, defend, increase and promote the rights, honours, privileges and authority of the Holy Roman Church, of our lord, the Pope, and of his aforesaid successors. By that oath he is bound to do all he can to aid this crusade to re establish the Church authority and Pope. A priest/bishop is bound to provide for the laity all the usual facilities of the Faith. It is open to you all now to elect and provide the authority and Pope the world so sorely needs. We call for the clergy to unite for the good of the Church and the salvation of souls. Whether they agree to adopt one of the so-calles popes already elected – or call for all such to resign and hold a conclave – is no concern of ours. They may do as they think best – we just pray they do something. The present lack of unity is uncatholic and pointless. The clergy have nothing to lose by trying to achieve such unity – and everything to gain. If the attempt founders – then we are as we are today. At the very least – it will be pleasing to God and His Mother to see such an attempt to restore His Church for the eyes of the world to see and for souls to cling to. At best – this united zeal and success may destroy the V2 charade. God guide you all. List of those already contacted Contact each other Home |