Stockholm Syndrome (in at least a loose sense), anyone? I certainly would not dismiss the distinct possibility of at least a certain degree of that having taken place in the person of His Lordship. I was a regular attendee at Our Lady Immaculate Chapel in Oak Park (Chicago) when Bp. Tissier took his assignment there and for a good number of years subsequent to that.
A humiliating sort of demotion, marginalization, and casting off? It certainly appeared that way to many. In any event, His Lordship appeared to handle it, at least to this observer anyway, with a real dignity and grace. God knows what suffering and tribulation he may have gone through on the inside.
Yes, +Tissier might have undergone suffering in the past few years -- accepting exile at the hands of the neo-SSPX authorities, and the various sufferings that go with that.
But suffering does not equal merit. If I willfully sabotaged my marriage by openly having an affair with another woman, making sure my wife knew, I would gain plenty of suffering as well! But it wouldn't be God's will, and it wouldn't be meritorious.In certain areas, God wants what is more pleasant, and easier, for us! It is certainly easier (humanly speaking) to keep my young children at home and continue to raise them, rather than give them up for adoption. But giving them up for adoption is NOT God's will for me, even though that would cause me more suffering.
I am much more impressed, edified, and sympathetic with the sufferings of Bishop Williamson, since he has not compromised or done "the wrong thing" or the weak thing. On the contrary, he has done the magnanimous thing, the heroic thing. With a lion's heart he is rising to the occasion. He is playing the part of St. Athanasius.
+Tissier is being stereotypically French -- according to the derogatory American stereotypes of the French, that is.*
If he's going to suffer, let it be for the right reason, and for a worthy cause! Let it be for the good of souls, the good of the Catholic Church, and not just from a SENTIMENTAL LOVE for the SSPX which +TdM certainly has.
*P.S. Here are some examples of the American stereotype of the French, as illustrated by some jokes:
Q: Why do we need France on our side against Sadaam and Osama?
A: So the French can show them how to surrender.
Q: What do you call a Frenchman advancing on Baghdad?
A: A salesman
Q: What’s the shortest book ever written?
A: French War Heroes.
Q: What is the first thing the French Army teaches at basic training?
A: How to surrender in at least 10 languages.
Q: What is the most useful thing in the French Army?
A: A rearview mirror, so they can see the war.
Q: Why does Nike like the French Army?
A: Because, in war time, they are the biggest buyers of running shoes.
Q: Why do the French call their fighter the *Mirage*?
A: Because it doesn’t really exist.
Q: Why do the French have glass bottom boats in their Navy?
A: To see all their other ships.
Q: Why is good to be French?
A: You can surrender at the beginning of the war, and US will win it for you.
Q: How many Frenchman does it take to guard Paris?
A: Nobody knows, its never been tried before
Q: What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up?
A: The Army.
Q: Why don’t they have fireworks at Euro Disney?
A: Because every time they shoot them off, the French try to surrender.
Q: Why are the French so afraid of war?
A: You would be too if you never won one in your history.
Q: What’s the difference between toast and Frenchmen?
A: You can make soldiers out of toast!
Q: Why does every army have to have a French flag?
A: In case they want to surrender!
Q: How do you confuse a French Soldier?
A: Give him a rifle and ask him to shoot it.