Q431 – How can Catholic clergy who publicly promote heretical views still be considered part of the Church? Do they retain authority and jurisdiction, and are the sacraments they administer still valid?

Interview Organization: Confraternity of Our Lady of Fatima

Interviewer Name: Christopher P. Wendt

Date: March 13, 2026

Bishop Athanasius Schneider explains that bishops, cardinals, or priests who teach heresy should be admonished and, if unrepentant, removed by the Pope. However, unless deposed, they retain jurisdiction, making their sacraments valid, as validity depends on proper intent and jurisdiction, not personal orthodoxy.

If you like what we do and want to regularly support our mission to build the Reign of Mary and/or assist the episcopal ministry of Bishop Athanasius Schneider, please consider becoming a Servant of Mary.

Well, first, these bishops, cardinals, and priests who pronounce evident heresies or undermine Catholic teaching should be admonished by the Pope. If they do not repent, they should be removed. This is what the Church has always done.

Unless the Pope deposes them, they still retain their jurisdiction, even if they are heretics. Because of this, the sacraments remain valid. The sacraments are valid even when administered by schismatics or heretics, as long as they have jurisdiction and intend to do what the Church does. This must also be added.

Question/ Title

Q431 – How can Catholic clergy who publicly promote heretical views still be considered part of the Church? Do they retain authority and jurisdiction, and are the sacraments they administer still valid?

Q430 – Should a pastor be removed from a parish when he has been accused of sexual misconduct with an adult female parishioner?

Q429 – Cardinal Müller has suggested that the situation isn’t urgent enough to justify acting outside the usual jurisdiction. How would you respond to that, or to the Society’s reasoning on this point?

Q428 – Cardinal Sarah would say that the Society should obey the pope and thus not ordain in July, would you say the Society is being disobedient, like the Protestants or Orthodox?

Q427 – Is the papal approval of bishop’s ordination of apostolic origin and therefore an essential part of the deposit of Faith to where it is unchangeable and that it incurs auto-excommunication when not followed or is it a matter of discipline?

Q426 – Can a Catholic attend a Society of Saint Pius X Mass, even after their bishop ordinations, without incurring excommunication?

Q425 – If the SSPX consecrate bishops in July as they have decided necessary, will they truly be in schism as they do not promote heretical teachings nor intend a schismatic act?

Q424 – What advice can you offer for evangelizing to a Muslim friend who is open to learning about Catholicism but has not yet converted?

Q423 – If someone prays multiple rosaries daily, is it necessary to pray the Hail Holy Queen after each one?

Q422 – Is it acceptable to attend Mass at an SSPX chapel, even though some believe the Society does not fully recognize the Pope?