Explanation of the Thesis of Bishop Guerard Des Lauriers by Most Reverend Donald J. Sanborn
Simple exposition of the position known as "Thesis of Cassiciacum."
The full Thesis can be found here.
The theological problem of the papacy after Vatican II
Anyone familiar with the traditional movement knows that it has undertaken a resistance to the changes of Vatican II. He also knows that there are different levels or manners of resisting.
The weakest resistance is that of the Indult Mass, together with the congregations which have permission to use the traditional Mass, such as the Fraternity of St. Peter. I shall refer to this whole section of the traditional movement as the indultists. Indultists accept Vatican II and its many changes as Catholic and legitimate, but merely prefer the traditions of the Catholic Church because they are “better.” They clearly have no problem with the papacy of Benedict XVI, since they reduce their resistance to mere preference, and do not see any defection from Catholic Faith, morals, or discipline in Vatican II or Benedict XVI.
Next in line are the lefebvrists, the Society of Saint Pius X. They do see defection from Catholic Faith, morals, and discipline in Vatican II and Benedict XVI. Consequently, they have established a parallel apostolate against the will of the person they claim is the Holy Father, and have been excommunicated by him. They naturally have, therefore, a theological problem to solve concerning the papacy. They solve it in this way.
They say that while Benedict XVI is the pope, they will not obey him in anything which runs contrary to Catholic Faith, morals, or discipline. They make appeal to Tradition, something which they say is beyond and above the Roman Pontiff
Simple exposition of the position known as "Thesis of Cassiciacum."
The full Thesis can be found here.
The theological problem of the papacy after Vatican II
Anyone familiar with the traditional movement knows that it has undertaken a resistance to the changes of Vatican II. He also knows that there are different levels or manners of resisting.
The weakest resistance is that of the Indult Mass, together with the congregations which have permission to use the traditional Mass, such as the Fraternity of St. Peter. I shall refer to this whole section of the traditional movement as the indultists. Indultists accept Vatican II and its many changes as Catholic and legitimate, but merely prefer the traditions of the Catholic Church because they are “better.” They clearly have no problem with the papacy of Benedict XVI, since they reduce their resistance to mere preference, and do not see any defection from Catholic Faith, morals, or discipline in Vatican II or Benedict XVI.
Next in line are the lefebvrists, the Society of Saint Pius X. They do see defection from Catholic Faith, morals, and discipline in Vatican II and Benedict XVI. Consequently, they have established a parallel apostolate against the will of the person they claim is the Holy Father, and have been excommunicated by him. They naturally have, therefore, a theological problem to solve concerning the papacy. They solve it in this way.
They say that while Benedict XVI is the pope, they will not obey him in anything which runs contrary to Catholic Faith, morals, or discipline. They make appeal to Tradition, something which they say is beyond and above the Roman Pontiff
Simple exposition of the position known as "Thesis of Cassiciacum."
The full Thesis can be found here.
The theological problem of the papacy after Vatican II
Anyone familiar with the traditional movement knows that it has undertaken a resistance to the changes of Vatican II. He also knows that there are different levels or manners of resisting.
The weakest resistance is that of the Indult Mass, together with the congregations which have permission to use the traditional Mass, such as the Fraternity of St. Peter. I shall refer to this whole section of the traditional movement as the indultists. Indultists accept Vatican II and its many changes as Catholic and legitimate, but merely prefer the traditions of the Catholic Church because they are “better.” They clearly have no problem with the papacy of Benedict XVI, since they reduce their resistance to mere preference, and do not see any defection from Catholic Faith, morals, or discipline in Vatican II or Benedict XVI.
Next in line are the lefebvrists, the Society of Saint Pius X. They do see defection from Catholic Faith, morals, and discipline in Vatican II and Benedict XVI. Consequently, they have established a parallel apostolate against the will of the person they claim is the Holy Father, and have been excommunicated by him. They naturally have, therefore, a theological problem to solve concerning the papacy. They solve it in this way.
They say that while Benedict XVI is the pope, they will not obey him in anything which runs contrary to Catholic Faith, morals, or discipline. They make appeal to Tradition, something which they say is beyond and above the Roman Pontiff