Drew, I agree with you that Father Collins celebrated mass impeccably, but I’m surprised that you were involved with a priest, who held the sedevacantist position. Are you now holding that position yourself?
Ss. Peter & Paul Roman Catholic Mission as a matter of its by-laws holds dogma as the proximate rule of faith which is always to be taken in its literal sense without exception. What follows from this is that liturgy is not, and never was, a matter of mere discipline open to the free and independent will of the legislator. It also follows that sedevacantism & sedeprivationism (S&S) are untenable theological positions because they necessarily lead to the overturning of dogma. Both of these last two points are also incorporated in the Mission's by-laws.
That being said, we understand that there are theological and moral problems that every Catholic trying to be faithful to God have to resolve within in their own conscience. S&S are welcome to worship and receive the sacraments at our chapel as long as they recognize the Mission's position and are not trying to undermine it. Some S&S are so determined in their position that they refuse all communion with us. So be it. But many hold it only as a theological possibility and are not settled in this determination.
Fr. Collins knew exactly what our position at Ss. Peter and Paul is. I never spoke to Fr. Collins a word about S&S and he never said a word about it to me. His dear friend, John Sharpe, is not a S&Ser. Fr. Collins was at our chapel during the entire Triduum. He professed the same Creed with us, prayed in communion without us, received the sacraments from Fr. Waters. I found Fr. Collins to be a very kind man, a charitable priest, and devout and faithful Catholic. I regret his passing and have offered many prayers for the blessed repose of his soul. Fr. Waters is currently offering the thirty day Gregorian Masses for his soul.
Drew
Topic: Fr. Joseph Collins Funeral Announcement (Read 17937 times)