What if Bishop Williamson did create a group back in 2012 or decide he made a mistake in not staring an organized central group (but still keep all his personal beliefs about all the other controversies) and started a centralized group now. Would Pablo, Fr. Pfeiffer, Fr. Hewko, Fr. Raphael, Greg Taylor and all the rest join him? What about all the other French priests that joined the Resistance back in 2012-2013 only to become independent sedevacantist or non una-cuм?
Most likely if there was a group headed by Bishop Williamson, I still think there would be the same division as we have now. Maybe the only thing that would be different is that MCSPX and SAJM would be one organization.
This is only my personal opinion, but I thought the same thing. Namely, that it would be worse if +W attempted to bring everyone in and had marginal success.
Just the idea that you wanted something that didn't happen suggests your will is out of line with God's will or something. Archbishop Lefebvre succeeded with the SSPX -- because that was God's will. It was a different time. But was +ABL lucky? Or did he attempt to create the SSPX *because* and only because it was God's will?
When you try to do something and fail, it makes you look bad. And not just from a shallow, selfish, PR standpoint either. It makes you look out of touch with God's will, like you weren't very wise or prudent, not being able to read the board.
On the other hand, it is true that God wants us to try our best and He is not so concerned with results. So, for example, offering Mass to the Faithful, setting up Resistance chapels -- "you have to try" because not trying really isn't an option. We need the Sacraments. The priests have to keep being faithful priests (for someone, for some group) and the Faithful need Mass as often as possible. So even if the Resistance doesn't take off like gangbusters, you still have to stick with it, because the alternative is what, waiting for death? Giving up on the Faith? Compromise? These aren't valid alternatives.
But starting a large, centralized, monolithic, Trad group is not essential to the Faith or the salvation of souls. So if a bishop for example looked at the board and realized it wasn't called for, it reflects well on him to not have attempted it in the first place.
Just for starters, the numbers aren't there. I'd like to know what year +ABL had the same number of priests and Faithful. Probably 1970. Seriously, the Resistance is extremely tiny, and so many priests who jumped ship just wanted to be independent, and almost used the SSPX sellout as an excuse or a chance to strike out on their own. Priests are human too, and who wouldn't prefer to be their own boss, when it comes right down to it? To live where you want, have Mass where you prefer, hang around the people you like, keep your own schedule, travel as much/little as you want, etc.
Priests AND laymen suffer from the same problem: only a small percentage have what it takes to be saints, to really make headway over human nature and sinful inclinations.
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