Totalism vs. The Cassiciacum Thesis
"Totalism vs. The Cassiciacum Thesis" by Fr. Vili Lehtoranta
This document presents a theological debate within sedevacantism, comparing Totalism and the Cassiciacum Thesis, both of which question the legitimacy of post-Vatican II popes.
1. Background and Purpose
Fr. Vili Lehtoranta was invited to respond to Bishop Donald Sanborn's defense of the Cassiciacum Thesis, which was originally developed by Bishop Guérard des Lauriers. The Totalist position, to which Lehtoranta adheres, completely rejects the post-Vatican II popes, considering them non-popes and their church a false entity.
2. The Core Debate: Is the Holy See Vacant?
Totalism asserts that the Holy See has been completely vacant since Pope Pius XII (1958) because subsequent popes, starting with John XXIII, were modernists and thus ineligible to be true popes.
The Cassiciacum Thesis acknowledges that recent papal elections were legitimate but claims that the elected individuals (such as Pope Francis) failed to fully accept the papacy due to their heretical beliefs. Thus, the See is not truly vacant, but the popes lack full authority.
3. Where is the Catholic Hierarchy?
The Cassiciacum Thesis argues that the hierarchy of the Vatican remains legally intact but is "defective" because the pope and bishops do not properly exercise their authority.
Totalists, however, reject this idea, asserting that the entire Vatican structure is illegitimate. Instead, they claim that only Traditionalist Catholic bishops (e.g., those ordained in sedevacantist groups) retain true apostolic succession.
4. Where is the Catholic Church?
The Thesis suggests that the Catholic Church continues within the modern Vatican structure, despite its errors.
Totalists argue that the post-Vatican II Church is completely separate from the true Catholic Church, labeling it an entirely new, false religion.
5. Can a Modern Pope Be Legitimately Elected?
The Cassiciacum Thesis states that if a pope (e.g., Francis) were to renounce modernist errors, he could fully assume the papacy.
Totalists reject this, stating that heresy automatically excludes someone from being eligible for the papacy. They compare this to constitutional laws preventing a non-citizen from becoming President of the United States.
6. How Can the Church Get a Pope Again?
The Thesis: Suggests that if the Vatican leadership returns to the true faith, a valid pope could emerge.
Totalists: Believe the restoration of the papacy will require direct divine intervention, possibly through a miraculous event or a new election by traditional bishops.
7. Conclusion
Fr. Lehtoranta argues that the Cassiciacum Thesis is outdated and logically flawed because:
It acknowledges Vatican II popes as validly elected, despite their heretical beliefs.
It fails to fully break from the modernist Church, unlike Totalism.
The modern Vatican does not resemble the Catholic Church and cannot be reformed from within.
Final Thought
The document ultimately rejects the Cassiciacum Thesis and advocates for Totalism, insisting that the post-Vatican II papacy and church structure are completely false and that God alone will restore the true Catholic Church.
"Totalism vs. The Cassiciacum Thesis" by Fr. Vili Lehtoranta
This document presents a theological debate within sedevacantism, comparing Totalism and the Cassiciacum Thesis, both of which question the legitimacy of post-Vatican II popes.
1. Background and Purpose
Fr. Vili Lehtoranta was invited to respond to Bishop Donald Sanborn's defense of the Cassiciacum Thesis, which was originally developed by Bishop Guérard des Lauriers. The Totalist position, to which Lehtoranta adheres, completely rejects the post-Vatican II popes, considering them non-popes and their church a false entity.
2. The Core Debate: Is the Holy See Vacant?
Totalism asserts that the Holy See has been completely vacant since Pope Pius XII (1958) because subsequent popes, starting with John XXIII, were modernists and thus ineligible to be true popes.
The Cassiciacum Thesis acknowledges that recent papal elections were legitimate but claims that the elected individuals (such as Pope Francis) failed to fully accept the papacy due to their heretical beliefs. Thus, the See is not truly vacant, but the popes lack full authority.
3. Where is the Catholic Hierarchy?
The Cassiciacum Thesis argues that the hierarchy of the Vatican remains legally intact but is "defective" because the pope and bishops do not properly exercise their authority.
Totalists, however, reject this idea, asserting that the entire Vatican structure is illegitimate. Instead, they claim that only Traditionalist Catholic bishops (e.g., those ordained in sedevacantist groups) retain true apostolic succession.
4. Where is the Catholic Church?
The Thesis suggests that the Catholic Church continues within the modern Vatican structure, despite its errors.
Totalists argue that the post-Vatican II Church is completely separate from the true Catholic Church, labeling it an entirely new, false religion.
5. Can a Modern Pope Be Legitimately Elected?
The Cassiciacum Thesis states that if a pope (e.g., Francis) were to renounce modernist errors, he could fully assume the papacy.
Totalists reject this, stating that heresy automatically excludes someone from being eligible for the papacy. They compare this to constitutional laws preventing a non-citizen from becoming President of the United States.
6. How Can the Church Get a Pope Again?
The Thesis: Suggests that if the Vatican leadership returns to the true faith, a valid pope could emerge.
Totalists: Believe the restoration of the papacy will require direct divine intervention, possibly through a miraculous event or a new election by traditional bishops.
7. Conclusion
Fr. Lehtoranta argues that the Cassiciacum Thesis is outdated and logically flawed because:
It acknowledges Vatican II popes as validly elected, despite their heretical beliefs.
It fails to fully break from the modernist Church, unlike Totalism.
The modern Vatican does not resemble the Catholic Church and cannot be reformed from within.
Final Thought
The document ultimately rejects the Cassiciacum Thesis and advocates for Totalism, insisting that the post-Vatican II papacy and church structure are completely false and that God alone will restore the true Catholic Church.
"Totalism vs. The Cassiciacum Thesis" by Fr. Vili Lehtoranta
This document presents a theological debate within sedevacantism, comparing Totalism and the Cassiciacum Thesis, both of which question the legitimacy of post-Vatican II popes.
1. Background and Purpose
Fr. Vili Lehtoranta was invited to respond to Bishop Donald Sanborn's defense of the Cassiciacum Thesis, which was originally developed by Bishop Guérard des Lauriers. The Totalist position, to which Lehtoranta adheres, completely rejects the post-Vatican II popes, considering them non-popes and their church a false entity.
2. The Core Debate: Is the Holy See Vacant?
Totalism asserts that the Holy See has been completely vacant since Pope Pius XII (1958) because subsequent popes, starting with John XXIII, were modernists and thus ineligible to be true popes.
The Cassiciacum Thesis acknowledges that recent papal elections were legitimate but claims that the elected individuals (such as Pope Francis) failed to fully accept the papacy due to their heretical beliefs. Thus, the See is not truly vacant, but the popes lack full authority.
3. Where is the Catholic Hierarchy?
The Cassiciacum Thesis argues that the hierarchy of the Vatican remains legally intact but is "defective" because the pope and bishops do not properly exercise their authority.
Totalists, however, reject this idea, asserting that the entire Vatican structure is illegitimate. Instead, they claim that only Traditionalist Catholic bishops (e.g., those ordained in sedevacantist groups) retain true apostolic succession.
4. Where is the Catholic Church?
The Thesis suggests that the Catholic Church continues within the modern Vatican structure, despite its errors.
Totalists argue that the post-Vatican II Church is completely separate from the true Catholic Church, labeling it an entirely new, false religion.
5. Can a Modern Pope Be Legitimately Elected?
The Cassiciacum Thesis states that if a pope (e.g., Francis) were to renounce modernist errors, he could fully assume the papacy.
Totalists reject this, stating that heresy automatically excludes someone from being eligible for the papacy. They compare this to constitutional laws preventing a non-citizen from becoming President of the United States.
6. How Can the Church Get a Pope Again?
The Thesis: Suggests that if the Vatican leadership returns to the true faith, a valid pope could emerge.
Totalists: Believe the restoration of the papacy will require direct divine intervention, possibly through a miraculous event or a new election by traditional bishops.
7. Conclusion
Fr. Lehtoranta argues that the Cassiciacum Thesis is outdated and logically flawed because:
It acknowledges Vatican II popes as validly elected, despite their heretical beliefs.
It fails to fully break from the modernist Church, unlike Totalism.
The modern Vatican does not resemble the Catholic Church and cannot be reformed from within.
Final Thought
The document ultimately rejects the Cassiciacum Thesis and advocates for Totalism, insisting that the post-Vatican II papacy and church structure are completely false and that God alone will restore the true Catholic Church.