The Society of Pius X is not schismatic. There are statements from the Holy See itself, saying that the problem is not schism but the irregular canonical situation. It would be a schism if they do not mention the Pope in the mass or if they do not pray for the Pope and their local bishop, yet they do this.
This has always been the tradition in the entire History of the Church, that as a sign of communion with the Apostolic See, the bishops and priests should mention the pope during the Holy Mass. The Eucharist is the highest form of expression of this union and faith. They have the same Catholic faith and they do not deny any dogma of the Church.
It was only because of the extremely extraordinarily difficult situation and crisis of the church that Archbishop Lefebvre and the Society of St. Piux X could not fully submit themselves under the control of the Vatican. This is because they do not have the guarantee to continue living fully and integrally in the Catholic faith, especially in the liturgy as they have always lived before the council.
There could have been no change of faith if it was not done but there are some ambiguous texts after the council and there are practices also of the Holy See, especially with ecumenism and inter-religious dialogue and so on. The new Mass also contains elements that undermine the sacrificial character of the Holy Mass like in the new offertory prayers, for example. All of these elements are serious.
In today's Society of Pius X, they are still trying to continue their love for the church, to keep and pass on the faith in the liturgy of the Church, which was believed and worshiped not only for some decades but centuries and even millennia. There was a statement several months ago from the prefect of the congregation of the doctrine of faith, Cardinal Ladaria. In an interview, the cardinal said that the Society of Pius X is not outside the church.
This is an affirmation from a very high official of the Vatican itself. Now there came a qualitatively new aspect after the publication of the pope's motu proprio traditionis custodes and the answers from the dubia of the Congregation of Divine Worship which practically abolishes all celebrations of the sacraments in the traditional rite, thus openly declaring the rejection of the traditional liturgy. This was openly stated.
Even the so-called Ecclesia Dei communities, the former, do not have the full guarantee on how to continue thus impeding their apostolate. Considering all these factors, I think that it is licit that a young man can undergo formation in the Society of Pius X and then work there as a priest. However, I should point out that the members of the Society of Piux X, especially its priests, must also be aware of the danger of being self-centered and having a kind of ecclesiastical ghetto.
This is a real danger and they have to be aware of this. They should not consider themselves as the only church I repeat, a kind of ghetto mentality. This should not be the case, they have to open themselves up and develop in themselves the spirit of love for the Roman Church, for the Apostolic See, and so on. I hope they have this but they have to continue developing this love.
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