Is the Sedevacantist Apostolate Legitimate? by Rev. Nicolás E. Despósito
How is the missio Ecclesiae being carried out today?
Objection:
If Vatican II popes do not possess papal authority, how is the mission of the Church being accomplished?
Isn’t ecclesiastical jurisdiction a necessary condition for legitimate apostolate? How do sedevacantist clergy justify their apostolate?
Short answer.
The mission of the Church is being carried out today in an extraordinary manner by those bishops and priests who integrally profess the Catholic faith, oΛer the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, and administer the Sacraments to the faithful. This apostolate is justified under the principle of epicheia, and the Church supplies sacramental jurisdiction for the sacrament of Penance in a situation where the Church is deprived of ecclesiastical jurisdiction.
Exposition.
The mission of the Church is a command given by Christ to the Apostles and their successors:
“Going therefore, teach ye all nations; baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” (Matt. 28:19)
Christ passed on to the Church the continuation of the same mission He received from His Father:
“As the Father hath sent me, I also send you” (Jn. 20:21).
The mission of the Church must continue until the end of times. By divine command the Gospel must be preached and sacraments must be administered.
Therefore: The apostolate of sedevacantist clergy is not only justified; it is necessary.
How is the missio Ecclesiae being carried out today?
Objection:
If Vatican II popes do not possess papal authority, how is the mission of the Church being accomplished?
Isn’t ecclesiastical jurisdiction a necessary condition for legitimate apostolate? How do sedevacantist clergy justify their apostolate?
Short answer.
The mission of the Church is being carried out today in an extraordinary manner by those bishops and priests who integrally profess the Catholic faith, oΛer the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, and administer the Sacraments to the faithful. This apostolate is justified under the principle of epicheia, and the Church supplies sacramental jurisdiction for the sacrament of Penance in a situation where the Church is deprived of ecclesiastical jurisdiction.
Exposition.
The mission of the Church is a command given by Christ to the Apostles and their successors:
“Going therefore, teach ye all nations; baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” (Matt. 28:19)
Christ passed on to the Church the continuation of the same mission He received from His Father:
“As the Father hath sent me, I also send you” (Jn. 20:21).
The mission of the Church must continue until the end of times. By divine command the Gospel must be preached and sacraments must be administered.
Therefore: The apostolate of sedevacantist clergy is not only justified; it is necessary.
How is the missio Ecclesiae being carried out today?
Objection:
If Vatican II popes do not possess papal authority, how is the mission of the Church being accomplished?
Isn’t ecclesiastical jurisdiction a necessary condition for legitimate apostolate? How do sedevacantist clergy justify their apostolate?
Short answer.
The mission of the Church is being carried out today in an extraordinary manner by those bishops and priests who integrally profess the Catholic faith, oΛer the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass, and administer the Sacraments to the faithful. This apostolate is justified under the principle of epicheia, and the Church supplies sacramental jurisdiction for the sacrament of Penance in a situation where the Church is deprived of ecclesiastical jurisdiction.
Exposition.
The mission of the Church is a command given by Christ to the Apostles and their successors:
“Going therefore, teach ye all nations; baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost.” (Matt. 28:19)
Christ passed on to the Church the continuation of the same mission He received from His Father:
“As the Father hath sent me, I also send you” (Jn. 20:21).
The mission of the Church must continue until the end of times. By divine command the Gospel must be preached and sacraments must be administered.
Therefore: The apostolate of sedevacantist clergy is not only justified; it is necessary.