[1] Then Jesus spoke to the multitudes and to his disciples, [2] Saying: The scribes and the Pharisees have sitten on the chair of Moses. [3] All things therefore whatsoever they shall say to you, observe and do: but according to their works do ye not; for they say, and do not.
It is clear from these Words of Our Lord Jesus Christ Himself that the corrupt, compromised, spiritually-bankrupt leaders of the Sanhedrin were still POSSESSED OF THE AUTHORITY to command obedience to the Scriptures insofar as they were commanding obedience to the LETTER and not to their additions/deletions or other aberrations.
How, then, are we to understand sedevacantism? Would not Our Lord's Words condemn such a premise? Certainly, the men who are parading around dressed as Catholic clergy are introducing awful ideas into the world. Their "interpretations" of what Scripture and Tradition have to say are novel and unsupportable at BEST and awful at any rate. With that said, however, aren't these men, ridiculous as they seem, legitimately IN the positions of authority in the Church? Aren't we to obey the Catholic things they say while ignoring their obviously non-Catholic example?
I'm not thinking of changing my perspective on so-called SVism. I just want to ask the flat, point-blank question:
If you are a 'sedevacantist', what is at the TOP of your list of reasons why? What ONE thing, all other considerations notwithstanding, makes you take that position?
Obviously, alternately, if you are NOT a 'sedevacantist', the same question applies to you as well. What is the ONE thing, no matter what else may or may not be true, that convinces you of your position.
Again, I'm not considering changing my opinion, but I DO want to be able to bring my family to Holy Mass sooner than later, and the only chapel near me that offers a valid Mass is a chapel staffed by the SSPX.
I am trying to understand the MAJOR points of contention between the sedevacantists and the sedeplenists.
Please, for my ease of reading and for the benefit of those who might be less aware of the distinct claims of each position, please try to limit your response to the answer to my ONE question. Feel free to comment at length on the ONE answer, but please don't talk about why you disagree with the justifications that the other side makes, or why you feel that St. So-and-so was right or wrong for seemingly/obviously/maybe/definitely believing what you do.
Just give me YOUR TOP SINGLE REASON why you are or are not a sedevacantist.
Also, sedevacantists: please feel free to indicate (briefly) how long you feel the Chair has been empty.
Thank you in advance.
Immaculate Heart of Mary, triumph soon!
Most Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy on us.