Answering Objections: "Sedevacantism has no miracles"
Summary
Rev. Nicolás E. Despósito defends sedevacantism against the claim that it lacks miracles. He clarifies that sedevacantism is not a separate religion but a theological conclusion drawn from the current crisis in the Church—particularly the errors propagated by the Vatican since Vatican II. His argument is structured as follows:
The Catholic Church is Holy and Cannot Teach Error
The Church is "One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic."
True Catholicism cannot lead souls into spiritual poison or moral corruption.
The Vatican II authorities promote false teachings, such as treating God's commandments as mere "ideals" rather than obligations.
The Crisis in the Vatican and the False Religion of Vatican II
Vatican II created a new religion that contradicts the true Catholic faith.
The Synod on Synodality and Pope Francis’s teachings demonstrate a systematic plan to replace Catholicism with a false gospel.
Infallibility and the Role of the Pope
The pope is infallible not only in extraordinary ex cathedra definitions but also in his universal magisterium.
The Church and the pope cannot impose disciplines or doctrines that lead souls to hell.
The Vatican II popes, by teaching errors in faith and morals, prove that they do not possess true papal authority.
False Miracles and Divine Chastisement
Vatican II adherents may claim to have miracles, but these are deceptive signs, fulfilling scriptural prophecies of an "operation of error" meant to test the faithful.
True miracles confirm the holiness of the Catholic Church and have existed for 2,000 years.
The lack of true miracles in the post-Vatican II era is a punishment from God, allowing a period of purification.
Sedevacantism as the Only Logical Conclusion
Sedevacantists recognize that the post-Vatican II hierarchy does not have authority.
Fr. Despósito subscribes to formal sedevacantism, which acknowledges that Pope Francis was validly elected but lacks the authority to rule, teach, and sanctify the Church due to his rejection of the Catholic faith.
True unity among Catholics can only exist in truth, not in compromise with error.
A Catholic Cannot Resist the Pope and Still Call Him the Pope
The Church has never taught that one must "resist" the pope’s teachings to remain Catholic.
Those who recognize Francis as pope but refuse to obey him contradict Catholic teaching.
Key Quotes
"The Catholic Church is holy… and holiness means that the Catholic Church cannot give us poison, spiritual poison, and lead us into error and evil."
This is foundational to sedevacantism. A true pope cannot impose heresy, so those who do are not true popes.
"They (the Vatican II authorities) want to destroy the Catholic religion and replace it with something else—a new gospel."
A clear indictment of Vatican II as an attempt to subvert the Catholic faith.
"The pope cannot teach condemned doctrines… error in faith and morals means you are deprived of the truth conducive to heaven."
An argument against the idea that a true pope can promote heresy while still being pope.
"You cannot go wrong when you follow the pope in faith and morals… but if you follow Bergoglio and the Vatican II hierarchy, you will end up in hell."
A direct rejection of Vatican II and its leaders.
"The new religion of Vatican II cannot have true miracles but only false miracles that confirm those who are already in error."
Vatican II "miracles" deceive rather than confirm the truth.
"We can only have unity in the truth."
A rejection of false traditionalists who compromise with the Vatican II Church.
Analysis
Rev. Despósito’s argument is deeply rooted in traditional Catholic theology, particularly the Church’s indefectibility and papal infallibility. The main takeaways from his speech are:
Vatican II Created a False Church
True Catholicism cannot lead souls into error, but Vatican II introduced heretical teachings on religious liberty, ecumenism, and the sacraments.
The modernist Vatican promotes a new religion, not Catholicism.
A True Pope Cannot Be a Heretic
The doctrine of papal infallibility means that a true pope cannot impose heresy.
The Vatican II popes, by contradicting prior Catholic teaching, prove they do not possess true papal authority.
Recognizing and Resisting the Pope Is Not Catholic
The Recognize and Resist (R&R) position (e.g., SSPX) is contradictory.
If Francis is truly pope, Catholics must obey him in faith and morals. If he teaches heresy, he cannot be pope.
The only consistent Catholic response is sedevacantism.
False Miracles Confirm the Great Apostasy
Any alleged Vatican II miracles are deceptive signs, prophesied in Scripture.
The absence of true miracles today is part of God’s chastisement, allowing the purification of the faithful.
Unity Can Only Exist in Truth
True unity among Catholics cannot be based on compromise with Vatican II.
Those who remain attached to the Vatican II structure, even in resistance, are not preserving Catholicism.
Formal Sedevacantism as a Theological Solution
Rev. Despósito’s formal sedevacantism acknowledges that Francis was validly elected but lacks authority due to his rejection of the Catholic faith.
This allows for prayers for his conversion while still rejecting his legitimacy as pope.
Takeaways
The Post-Vatican II Popes Are Not True Popes – Since the Catholic Church cannot err in faith and morals, and the Vatican II popes have done so, they cannot be true popes.
The Church Remains Indefectible – The true Church exists but is eclipsed by the modernist Vatican II structure.
False Miracles Are a Sign of Apostasy – Vatican II’s so-called miracles only serve to deceive and confirm those already in error.
Sedevacantism Is the Only Consistent Position – Recognizing Francis as pope while resisting him is contradictory to Catholic doctrine.
No Unity in Error – True Catholics must reject Vatican II in its entirety to preserve the faith.
Rev. Despósito’s argument is a reaffirmation of the sedevacantist stance: that Vatican II represents a counterfeit church, its leaders lack authority, and Catholics must reject it entirely to remain in the true faith.
