SSPX Father Michael Johnson Denies that ‘Novus Ordo’ Priests Are Priests
I know not how widespread this belief is in the SSPX, but here is Father Michael Johnson, one of their own, explicitly denying the validity of Novus Ordo ordinations. (Unless this is an advanced fake chat-GPT, a caveat we must soon put on everything we read, hear or see). Does he realize the implications of this? There are just under half a million priests in the Church, almost all of them ordained in the new rite, serving untold millions of Catholics, saying Mass, hearing confessions, bestowing marriage, anointing the sick – all of it, if we take Father Johnson at his word, null and void.
We should recall that the Church only exists where the Eucharist is. According to Father Johnson, therefore, the ‘Church’ only exists where the SSPX is (perhaps he leaves room for some other TLM groups?) which, to put it mildly, is a problem, if not the quasi-heresy of Donatism, with elements of Gnositicsm – a tiny ‘true’ Church of the enlightened and graced, exiting within a much larger ‘pseudo’ Church of the misguided and misled.
Yes, there are problems, bigger than even we realizes, principalities and powers and all that. But the Church is the Church, including the SSPX. She is perfect in her transcendent, heavenly dimension, but imperfect and limited in her earthly, hierarchical structure – including the sacraments, which may be bestowed more or less ‘perfectly’, but still validly. The Church is filled with saints and sinners, sheep and goats, wheat and tares, and each of us shares some elements of all of these. God will separate and sift us all at the end of time. We must pray and hope we end up on the right side, or hand.
To be clear, and thankfully, the SSPX has apparently disavowed Father Johnson’s views, but I wonder, who officially speaks for them (their priests? bishops? their spokesmen?) and how many share his opinion? How rife is this within their ranks? Will the priest be censured?
A Closed, Unsustainable, Descending Loop
As a follow-up to my thoughts on Payette’s payout, here be a stark image of where are here in Canada. As the graph shows in, well, graphic terms, since 2025, the public sector has contributed to 95.5% of economic growth. The private sector – which funds the public sector, or is supposed to – has[…]Continue reading→
Remembering Father Alphonse de Valk
(Today marks the sixth anniversary of the death of Father Alphonse de Valk, C.S.B., a faithful, courageous and indefatigable Basilian priest, pro-life-and-family apostle, and the founder of Catholic Insight magazine. Here is what we wrote those on his entering into eternity five years ago, as we continue to remember him in our prayers and thoughts)[…]Continue reading→
Presidential Pardon of Weronika Krawczyk
As a good news, follow-up to our story from Poland, of the persecution of Weronika Krawczyk for her pro-life views, we heard that she has been granted a presidential pardon. One might still wonder why one needs a presidential pardon for simply holding the long-held belief that the child within the womb is a child,[…]Continue reading→
Pope Leo and a Rosary for Peace
Pope Leo XIV has asked Catholics across the world to join him in a Rosary for peace today, at 18:00 Rome time (6 pm), which would be noon from where I write (EST). If you are able, whether at that time or another, and in whatever way you pray, to join in intercession with the[…]Continue reading→
Payette’s Payout
I was glancing through some headlines, and noticed a mention of Julie Payette – engineer and astronaut and sometime the Queen’s representative in Canada – which brought back vague memories. She was appointed Governor-General by Justin Trudeau in 2017. Ms. Payette resigned in 2021, amidst claims that she created a ‘toxic work environment’, with allegations[…]Continue reading→
Saint Stanislaus of Szczepanów
We celebrate Saint Stanislaus today (+ April 11, 1079), in light of this Easter Octave, a bishop and martyr who accepted the episcopacy only at the direct order of Pope Alexander II. He proved a wise and courageous leader of his flock, put to death by his own king, Boleslaus, for rebuking the monarch’s ‘immoral[…]Continue reading→
Weronika Krawczyk and Injustice in Poland
Catholic Action in Poland has issued a formal statement appealing to the President of the Republic of Poland to pardon Weronika Krawczyk—convicted for warning other women against an abortion-performing gynaecologist. Catholic Action (AK) emphasizes that no apology is owed to a doctor who has performed numerous abortions and proposed others; furthermore, the organization considers the[…]Continue reading→
Three Easter Musical Gems: Bach, Palestrina and Byrd
A very blessed and glorious Easter! Christus surrexit vere, alleluia! As we begin this Easter Octave with the great Solemnity of Easter, music to lift the soul would be one of Bach’s Easter cantatas, composed during his time at Leipzig in the early 1700’s, for the six Sundays of this festive season, leading up to[…]Continue reading→
Saint Isidore of Seville, the Internet and Industriousness
Today, April 4th, muted this year by Holy Saturday, is the commemoration of Saint Isidore of Seville (560-636) a bishop and doctor of the Church during a tumultuous age, when civilization was crumbling, coming apart at its very seams, which may sound sort of au courant. Then again, the form of this world has always[…]Continue reading→
An Ancient Homily for Holy Saturday
The time between Good Friday and Easter Sunday is one of waiting, in silence, as the world wonders – anticipates – what will happen, after the death of Christ. We re-live this time each year in the anamnesis of our liturgy, and in turn look forward to the glorious re-creation of all things at the[…]Continue reading→