It Needs to Be Said | Ep. 1
Summary
Rev. Nicolás E. Despósito presents two key theological discussions:
The Distinction Between Material Heretics and Catholics Who Materially Fall into Heresy
Many people online fail to distinguish between a material heretic (a non-Catholic, such as a Lutheran, who unknowingly adheres to heresy) and a Catholic who materially falls into heresy (a baptized Catholic who unknowingly holds an erroneous belief).
A material heretic remains outside the Church even if he is in good faith, because he does not belong to the visible structure of the Catholic Church.
A Catholic who materially falls into heresy remains within the Church as long as he does not knowingly and obstinately persist in heresy (which would make him a formal heretic).
The confusion arises from misinterpretations of theological sources, particularly Van Noort and Cardinal Billot, who affirm that a Catholic who mistakenly holds a heretical belief unknowingly is not a material heretic in the same sense as a Protestant.
The Cassiciacum Thesis and Vatican II Popes
Rev. Despósito critiques Professor Roberto de Mattei, who claimed that Archbishop Viganò’s recent theological stance aligns with the Cassiciacum Thesis, originally formulated by Bishop Guérard des Lauriers.
The Cassiciacum Thesis argues that Vatican II popes lack the necessary intention to be true popes because their teachings and governance contradict the mission of the Catholic Church.
De Mattei suggests that Jean Madiran has refuted the thesis, but Rev. Despósito argues that the refutation is based on misunderstanding.
The thesis does not argue that Vatican II popes lack authority due to subjective motives, but because their actions and doctrines objectively contradict Catholic teaching.
The Objective Reality of Vatican II’s Heresies and Its Consequences
Vatican II popes have promoted false doctrines and evil disciplines that undermine the faith.
Key errors include:
Religious liberty and ecumenism—contradicting the Catholic teaching that the Church is the sole ark of salvation.
Moral heresies—such as permitting adultery (e.g., Amoris Laetitia), which contradicts Catholic moral teaching.
A new ecclesiology—which transforms the Catholic Church into an ecumenical structure, rather than the One True Church.
Even if Vatican II popes subjectively believe they are serving the Church, their objective actions contradict the true faith.
Even one heretical doctrine is enough to disqualify a pope since the papacy is divinely protected from error.
The Argument Against Pope Francis (Jorge Bergoglio)
Some claim that Francis occasionally does something Catholic (e.g., declaring the Year of St. Joseph in 2020), proving he has a Catholic intention.
Rev. Despósito refutes this by stating that even a single public and obstinate heresy is enough to prove that Francis lacks the proper intention to be pope.
True popes cannot teach heresy at all, whether in their ordinary, universal, or authentic magisterium.
Vatican II and its popes have established a new religion, fundamentally distinct from Catholicism.
To deny this is to deny reality itself.
Key Quotes
On Material Heretics vs. Catholics Who Materially Fall into Heresy
"A Lutheran remains outside the Church even if he remains only a material heretic in good faith."
"A Catholic who falls into heresy without realizing it does not commit a sin... he remains a Catholic and a member of the Church."
"If he were to find out that what he believes is a heresy and still adhere to it, then he will become a formal heretic."
On Vatican II Popes and the Cassiciacum Thesis
"It is something absolutely certain that the Vatican II so-called popes are not really popes because if they were, the indefectibility of the Church would be destroyed."
"The things being taught and promoted by the Vatican II popes are objectively evil, independent of their subjective intentions."
"Leading souls to Heaven is done by the Church and the Pope through good laws, good disciplines, and good doctrines. What we see since Vatican II is the opposite—evil laws, false doctrines."
On Pope Francis (Bergoglio) and Vatican II Errors
"Just one single heretical doctrine being promoted by the Vatican will give you enough of an argument to say these people do not have the intention of promoting the common good of the Church."
"Even if Vatican II had taught one single heresy, that would be enough to say that it is not a real ecumenical council."
"A true pope cannot teach pernicious error in any way whatsoever to the whole Church."
Analysis
Rev. Despósito’s argument reinforces the key tenets that Vatican II popes cannot be legitimate popes because they have defected from the faith.
1. Distinction Between Material and Formal Heresy Supports Sedevacantism
Rev. Despósito correctly explains that a baptized Catholic who unknowingly falls into heresy is not automatically expelled from the Church, but if he knowingly persists, he ceases to be Catholic.
Vatican II popes are formal heretics, as they knowingly and obstinately promote errors.
This aligns with sedevacantism, which holds that popes who publicly and obstinately defect from the faith cannot be true popes.
2. The Indefectibility of the Church
The Church cannot defect, and a true pope cannot promulgate error in his authoritative teaching.
The fact that Vatican II popes have promoted heresy proves they cannot be true popes.
This aligns with St. Robert Bellarmine’s teaching that a public heretic loses all authority in the Church.
3. Vatican II Established a “New Religion”
The post-Vatican II Church has promoted:
Ecumenism—contrary to Extra Ecclesiam nulla salus.
Religious liberty—condemned by Pope Pius IX (Syllabus of Errors).
A false moral theology—which permits sin under certain circumstances.
A true pope cannot introduce a new religion.
This proves Vatican II was a false council, and its hierarchy is a counterfeit Catholic Church.
4. Even One Heresy is Enough to Disqualify a Pope
Even one heretical teaching by a pope would prove he lacks the divine protection of infallibility.
Vatican II popes have committed numerous heresies, making their illegitimacy even clearer.
Sedevacantism holds that a pope who publicly defects from the faith loses his office automatically (per St. Robert Bellarmine, St. Francis de Sales, Pope Paul IV's Cum Ex Apostolatus Officio).
5. Pope Francis and the New Theology
Even if Francis sometimes promotes Catholic-sounding ideas, this does not override his many public errors.
One error is enough to prove he lacks the papacy.
The fact that he promotes an entirely new religion makes his case even worse.
Final Conclusion
Rev. Despósito presents an argument that strongly supports the claim that Vatican II popes are not true popes. His analysis affirms the indefectibility and infallibility of the Church, demonstrating that Vatican II has created a false church with a false hierarchy. True Catholics must reject Vatican II and its popes to remain faithful to Christ.
