Bishop Schneider's glowing report card on his visit to the SSPX seminaries was not unexpected. Bishop Fellay gushed about the Bishop Schneider's visits and his reaction to the "show and tell" opportunity.
http://sspx.org/en/fellay_interview_tradition_schneider_sarah_FrancisThe whole Bishop "report card" is sad and at the same time horrifying because the SSPX leadership seeks "good reviews" and seems to crave acceptance. That is position of weakness. Acceptance from who? From those who have bastardized the Mass? From those who have destroyed the vestige of the Church? From those who have sat quietly witnessing the destruction while being encouraged to bring us back in, like a herd of sheep? That is really what is it to me.
Going back to Bishop Fellay's interview given after Bishop Schneider's whirlwind tour, this is what he said in part:
The Society's weaknesses? The risk of separation is serious. Look at the caricature of Tradition that calls itself the "Resistance", for example: it is a non-Catholic spirit that is almost sectarian. We wish to have nothing to do with it; it is a movement that is withdrawn into itself, with people who think that they are the only good and just men on earth: that is not Catholic. It is an objective, but relative danger. Most of the Society is healthy and will not fall into these illusions. This encourages us to rely upon supernatural means. God will show us what He wants of us; He will speak through circuмstances.
The strong points? The living fidelity that bears fruit and shows the world today that the Catholic life, even with all its requirements, is possible. But—another weak point—we are men of our times, and it would be a dream to pretend that we are immunized against the influence of the modern world. To be more precise, we must avoid the caricature of wishing for a Church without wrinkles or stains here below: that is not what the good Lord promised us on this earth. That is not what the "Holy Church" means; it means that she is capable of sanctifying using the means given by Our Lord: the sacraments, the Faith, discipline, religious life, the life of prayer.I realize the interview has been discussed before, but perhaps it is time to revisit it.
The premise of the "risk of separation" is foreign to me. Separation from what? I speak for myself, but Bishop Fellay, why would I feel separated from the no church, from what is seen as the liberalization of the Church, from beach and balls and dancing bishops? Really, separated from what?
This kind of argument is just falling for deception at it truest sense. If that is not enough, we are then entertained with yet another opportunity to whack the Resistance as an example of non-Catholic spirit. That is proof to me that the Societies so called weakness of being outside the Church is a fαℓѕє fℓαg argument, one of deception.
Bishop Fellay reassures us that "God will show us what He wants of us; He will speak through circuмstances" Oh yes, God reassures us through circuмstances such as Bishop Schneider's report card of his visit. Yes, the salve, the stamp of approval, the all important sign that the SSPX is really good and has the heart of the Church. The SSPX is meant to feel that "yes, that is right. We were right all along. Rome really likes us. Such a good thing to hear and from Rome no less! Let's get a deal, quick, get it and be one again!! I can once again feel "connected" as I am supposed to feel. "
I hate deception because it has always been the prime tool of the devil. If I am being deceived, God help me. If I see truth, God help me to be strong evermore to resist the deceit of darkness.