The Joint Declaration of Schism by Catholic Family News and The Remnant on the SSPX – and its major blasphemy against the Catholic Church

By Bro. Peter Dimond, O.S.B.

The recent issue of Catholic Family News and The Remnant contained a Joint Declaration by John Vennari and Michael Matt, the editors of Catholic Family News and The Remnant.  The Joint Declaration is on the topic of “Rome and the Society of St. Pius X.”  The Joint Declaration was made due to their concerns that the Society of St. Pius X might actually put itself under the “Pope” and “Bishops” they acknowledge as Catholic.  To summarize the Joint Declaration “on Rome and the Society of St. Pius X,” one can say simply: Catholic Family News and The Remnant choose the Society of St. Pius X over their “Pope” and “Bishops.”

Before commenting further on this “Joint Declaration,” it is important to remind the reader of the definition of schism.

Canon 1325.2, 1917 Code of Canon Law:
“One who after baptism… rejects the authority of the Supreme Pontiff or refuses communion with the members of the Church who are subject to him, he is a schismatic.”

Schism can be either refusing communion with a true Pope (not an Antipope) or refusing communion with the members of the Church who are in communion with the Pope.  (Of course, this also applies to the one you believe is the Pope, even if he is not.)  The position of the SSPX acknowledges the Vatican II “Popes” as true Popes and holds the Novus Ordo “Bishops” to be Catholic Bishops.  However, the SSPX operates outside of communion with this hierarchy, which it considers to be the Catholic hierarchy.  Since the SSPX has been obstinate in this position for decades, its position is clearly schismatic. 

St. Ignatius of Antioch, Letter to the Trallians, (A.D. 110): “He that is within the sanctuary is pure; but he that is outside the sanctuary is not pure.  In other words, anyone who acts without the bishop and the presbytery and the deacons does not have a clean conscience.” (Jurgens, Faith of the Early Fathers, Vol. 1:50)

St. Jerome, Commentaries on the Epistle to Titus, (A.D. 386): “Between heresy and schism there is a distinction made, that heresy involves perverse doctrine, while schism separates one from the Church on account of disagreement with the Bishop.” (Jurgens, Faith of the Early Fathers, Vol. 2:1371a)

The SSPX also rejects the solemn actions of its “Pope,” such as Canonizations, which are infallible if declared by a true Pope.  Nevertheless, Michael Matt and John Vennari are coming out publicly in support of the SSPX’s schismatic position. 

Michael Matt and John Vennari, A Joint Statement from The Remnant and Catholic Family News on Rome and the SSPX: “Three years ago, Bishop Fellay advanced wise criteria for negotiations with today’s Vatican. In his January 3, 2003 “Letter to Friends and Benefactors”, Bishop Fellay cautioned: ‘To guarantee our future, we must obtain from today’s Rome clear proof of its attachment to the Rome of yesterday. When the Roman authorities have re-stated with actions speaking louder than words that “There must be no innovations outside of Tradition” then ‘we’ [the SSPX] shall no longer be a problem.’  Based on this prudent criteria, we fail to see how any present-day negotiations will guarantee the future of the Society of Saint Pius X, since today’s Rome provides no clear proof of its attachment to the Rome of yesterday; no evidence by actions that speak louder than words that “there must be no innovations outside of Tradition”. We see, in fact, the contrary; so much so that many who initially celebrated Cardinal Ratzinger’s election to the papacy, including a number of Novus Ordo Catholics, are now crestfallen at Pope Benedict XVI’s first nine months of office….”

In other words, the SSPX should not put itself under “the Catholic hierarchy” because “the Catholic hierarchy” has not submitted to the demands of the SSPX.  “The Catholic hierarchy” has not satisfied the SSPX and the “traditionalist” world that it is Catholic enough, so the SSPX should continue to remain independent and shun it until Rome gets its act in order.  This is totally schismatic.  Oh, but don’t let anyone say that the SSPX doesn’t recognize the hierarchy, for they pray for their “Pope” and “Bishops” at every Mass… and they are not sedevacantists.  All of this means nothing except that they honor their phony “hierarchy” and “Pope” with their lips, but their actions totally reject them.  The fact of the matter is that Matt, Vennari and the SSPX are sedevacantists in their approach to apostate Rome – they advocate an independent position which is only acceptable if the Chair of Peter is vacant – but they are too dishonest to take the position.

They want the best of both worlds.  They want the SSPX (and other independent groups) to be able to act like sedevacantists, to be able to have an independent Latin Mass, and to be able to totally shun Benedict XVI and his “Bishops,” while at the same time claiming that there is a true Pope in Rome whom they are under.  But in attempting to have the “best of both worlds,” they are rejected by both.  They are rejected by God and the true Catholic Church because they recognize a manifestly heretical Antipope as Catholic.  They are also rejected by their counterfeit, Vatican II sect of Benedict XVI, because they advocate a schismatic position which obstinately operates outside of it and rejects its official teaching (Vatican II).   

 “Let us make one thing clear: Our position vis-à-vis rapprochement between the SSPX and the Vatican is here premised on the presumption that the SSPX is not in schism. Were the SSPX in schism then their bishops and priests would, objectively speaking, be guilty of the mortal sin of schism and we would have no truck with that. As has been vigorously contended since 1988, however, the canonical standing of the SSPX, though admittedly “irregular”, has never risen to the level of formal schism. The priests of the SSPX pray for Pope Benedict as well as their respective local ordinaries in every Mass they offer; the bishops of the SSPX have no territorial jurisdiction and so have gone to great lengths to avoid even the appearance of establishing the “petite eglise”; the SSPX has never denied the Pope’s authority, but, rather, citing provisions out of the new Code of Canon Law itself for legal recourse that can be taken in the case of necessity, the so-called “state of emergency” clause, have chosen to withhold obedience to that which would compromise the Faith itself. In addition to this, however, there has been no stronger defender of the modern popes against the charges of the so-called sedevacantists than the Society of St. Pius X.” (Michael Matt and John Vennari, A Joint Statement from The Remnant and Catholic Family News on Rome and the SSPX)

Blah, blah, blah… They do what they want, and they accept what they want – all the while claiming filial devotion to the hierarchy they totally shun.  This Joint Declaration of Catholic Family News and The Remnant is schismatic.  And its authors are schismatics.  They continue:

“…Among their reasons for advocating that the SSPX should continue its position is the fact that Benedict XVI appointed a liberal, “Archbishop Levada,” as head of the CDF….  More examples could be given but we think the point is made. To repeat Bishop Fellay’s wise criteria, for any reconciliation of the SSPX with Rome to be possible, Rome must give “clear proof of its attachment to the Rome of yesterday”. Pope Benedict XVI has shown that this criteria for a return to Tradition does not exist…” (Michael Matt and John Vennari, A Joint Statement from The Remnant and Catholic Family News on Rome and the SSPX)

In other words, Benedict XVI appointed a liberal, so the SSPX must shun the “hierarchy.” 

“Thus at a time when even conservative Novus Ordo Catholics see the downward spiral of Pope Benedict’s pontificate, it behooves the Society of Saint Pius X to proceed with extreme caution in any negotiations with a Pope who has failed to show “with actions that speak louder than words that there must be no innovations outside of Tradition”. Under such a Pope, it seems clear that the future of the SSPX could not be guaranteed…” (Michael Matt and John Vennari, A Joint Statement from The Remnant and Catholic Family News on Rome and the SSPX)

In other words, even Novus Ordo “Catholics” have problems with Benedict XVI, so the SSPX must shun the “hierarchy.”

THE MAJOR CONTRADICTION IN THE JOINT DECLARATION BY CATHOLIC FAMILY NEWS AND THE REMNANT

Before I get to the major blasphemy against the Catholic Church in this Joint Declaration of Traditionalist Schism, we must look at the major contradiction.  Can you find the major contradiction in this paragraph?

“We believe that to make such a deal, trading silence for recognition, is immoral. Medical doctors should not merely promote good health, but fight killer disease. Pro-life activists do not just “choose life”, they vigorously oppose abortion! Even more so, Catholic priests are bound not only to teach the truth, but combat error. Yet, up until now, the Ecclesia Dei compromise tells priests there are certain errors that they are not allowed to combat. And these errors are the most prevalent in our day. Such an approach is ludicrous. It is like telling Saint Thomas Aquinas he is free to celebrate the Old Latin Mass providing he says nothing against the Albigensians. Or it is like telling Saint Ignatius that he and his Jesuits are free to celebrate the Tridentine Mass, providing they say nothing against Protestantism. We can only imagine how far these modern-day Quietists who trade silence for “regularization” would have gotten with Saint Athanasius, had they even so much as suggested that he concentrate on what Catholics are “for” and leave off criticizing what they are against — namely, Arianism! He would have laughed in their faces. Trading Vatican recognition for silence against Vatican II’s errors has resulted in many good Ecclesia Dei and Indult priests not voicing criticism of the post-Conciliar changes since they are terrified to upset the local bishop who may then take away their weekly Indult Mass. Too often, those who make this deal lose the sense of Catholic militancy that our present time demands. This is particularly evident in the quick collapse of Campos….” (Michael Matt and John Vennari, A Joint Statement from The Remnant and Catholic Family News on Rome and the SSPX)

While discussing the “Indult Position,” which receives recognition from the Vatican while agreeing not to condemn the New Mass or Vatican II, the authors correctly state that this position is immoral (first line).  They even compare it to those who claim to be pro-life, but are not outspoken against abortion. 

However, later on the authors state: “Trading Vatican recognition for silence against Vatican II’s errors has resulted in many good Ecclesia Dei and Indult priests not voicing criticism of the post-Conciliar changes...” (third and fourth lines from bottom)  

I thought that it was “immoral” to trade silence for recognition, so how can those who partake in this immorality be “good”?  The answer is that they cannot be good.  The liberal heretics and schismatics John Vennari and Michael Matt are too blind to see that they are calling evil “good.”

The Joint Declaration then proceeds to cite Fr. Peter Scott of the SSPX:

“On this point, Father Peter Scott, Rector of the SSPX’s seminary in Australia, wrote in late 2004: ‘How is it that these 25 priests from Campos, who for 33 years refused all collaboration whatsoever with the New Mass, who put together these famous reasons for refusing to assist at or collaborate in the New Mass, who so well defended the canonical status of traditional priests, persecuted precisely because of their refusal to celebrate the New Mass, have suddenly changed their tune? It was not the death of Bishop De Castro Mayer, 11 years before this compromise took place, nor the need of a bishop, for the Society of Saint Pius X had provided them with one. It was quite simply the political exchange, the compromise required in return for the recognition of their Apostolic Administration. It truly was the devil’s tail. Not only were they forbidden all missionary work outside the diocese, not only were they subject to the diocesan bishop in all their apostolates in Campos, but now they are forced to positively cooperate in the New Mass, and to justify it as well.’
…There were rumors that the SSPX was going to have a “deal” with Rome in place by Easter, or by the end of Bishop Fellay’s term as Superior General this summer. We never believed these rumors, as it seemed unlikely that the leadership of the SSPX, after doing so well in holding the SSPX together for 18 years since the episcopal consecrations, would suddenly commit an imprudence bordering on madness.” (Michael Matt and John Vennari, A Joint Statement from The Remnant and Catholic Family News on Rome and the SSPX)

Did you get that?  Catholic Family News and The Remnant are now proving that it’s not sedevacantism that is “absurdity” and “madness,” but rather submitting to Benedict XVI and his “Bishops”!  Submitting to them would be, in their own words, an imprudence “bordering on madness”!  Further, notice that Fr. Peter Scott (cited approvingly by Matt and Vennari) says that to submit to its “hierarchy” would be the devil’s plan, and that the Campos group had no reason to do so – not even the need of a Bishop, for the SSPX provided them with one!  In other words, what could one possibly need from the “Catholic hierarchy” that the SSPX could not give him?  Do you see how the SSPX has become the Catholic Church for these schismatics?

“…In fact, it seems obvious that at this point in time, the entire traditionalist movement benefits from the SSPX remaining exactly where it is. Where, then, is the urgency for rapprochement? For us, there is none. For Rome there seems to be a great deal. Why?...” (Michael Matt and John Vennari, A Joint Statement from The Remnant and Catholic Family News on Rome and the SSPX)

Yes, what is the urgency?  They can continue to act like sedevacantists, while claiming there is a Pope in Rome at the same time!  Isn’t it “great.”  It may seem great now, but its “convenience” and “joy” will be short-lived.  It will end when they face God who will convict them 1) for obstinately recognizing as Catholic a manifest heretic (see below), and 2) for obstinately refusing to operate within the structure they obstinately deemed was the Catholic hierarchy. 

In their Joint Declaration, Matt and Vennari admit that Benedict XVI does not believe that non-Catholics need to be converted to the Catholic Church:

“...On the same day, Pope Benedict gave an address at an ecumenical meeting in which he spoke of ecumenism as a good thing that does not have as its goal a “return” of non-Catholics to the one true Church of Christ, thus undermining the infallible Catholic dogma, “Outside the Church there is no salvation”…” (Michael Matt and John Vennari, A Joint Statement from The Remnant and Catholic Family News on Rome and the SSPX)

I hope that everyone is following this: Catholic Family News and The Remnant readily admit that Benedict XVI rejects the necessity for non-Catholics to convert – a basic dogma of the Catholic Faith!  Based on this fact alone, a middle-schooler could see that Benedict XVI is clearly a manifest heretic.  But no, these publications tell us to “Show us the Heresy,” and they reject that Benedict XVI is a manifest heretic!  It’s so outrageous that it’s arguably a sin that cries to heaven.  Notice how they also dishonestly state that Benedict XVI “undermines” the dogma – not denies the dogma. 

THE MAJOR BLASPHEMY AGAINST THE CATHOLIC CHURCH IN THE JOINT DECLARATION BY CATHOLIC FAMILY NEWS AND THE REMNANT

Michael Matt and John Vennari, A Joint Statement from The Remnant and Catholic Family News on Rome and the SSPX: “In the meantime, we must pray for Pope Benedict XVI every day, that he will come to recognize the urgent need to restore the Church, not in accordance with a more traditional interpretation of Vatican II, but rather in the light of holy Tradition itself — the only answer to the cataclysmic chaos unleashed by the post-conciliar revolution…. On May 13, 2005, Pope Benedict placed the beatification of Pope John Paul II on the fast track by bypassing the prudent five-year waiting period. This can only serve to “canonize” Pope John Paul II’s disastrous pan-religious policies; the revolution is preparing to canonize its own.”

Regarding Benedict XVI’s plan to “canonize” John Paul II, Matt and Vennari state that “the revolution is preparing to canonize its own.”  Hold on a second… according to them, it’s “the Pope” of the Catholic Church, Benedict XVI, who is preparing to canonize John Paul II.  According to their position, “the Catholic Church” is preparing to canonize John Paul II.   But they call it “the revolution”!  They have equated the Catholic Church with the revolution!  This is one of the worst blasphemies against the Catholic Church that I’ve read from supposed “traditionalists.” 

Pope Pius XI, Mortalium Animos (# 10), Jan. 6, 1928:
“During the lapse of centuries, the mystical Spouse of Christ has never been contaminated, nor can she ever in the future be contaminated, as Cyprian bears witness: ‘The Bride of Christ cannot be made false to her Spouse: she is incorrupt and modest.  She knows but one dwelling, she guards the sanctity of the nuptial chamber chastely and modestly.’”

The scary thing is that those who follow the positions of these publications probably don’t even bat an eye at such a blasphemy – having been brainwashed to accept a schismatic position, according to which the Catholic Church is a non-Catholic sect, officially teaching heresy, “canonizing” heretics, and representing a Catholic’s number one enemy.  This shows us again how necessary it is for people to recognize the truth of the sedevacantist position, that the man in Rome is not a true Pope, but a non-Catholic Antipope, heading a non-Catholic, counterfeit Vatican II sect.