There is credibility attached to the following message:
The Padres would like for you to consider the SSPX of Archbishop Lefebvre,
compared to the [politically] correct, [diplomatically] Surrendered SSPX of today:
It would seem it is true that:
The Padres would like us to take note of the similarities (if any) and the
differences between the Society as its Founder intended, and what it has
become, as adduced by meet consideration of these two letters.
My first observation is that here, ABL addressed his friends and benefactors as
a servant of the servants of God, with the
noblesse oblige of Catholic
Tradition, in the comportment of dignity and culture, of edification and gentle
guidance, as a shepherd leads his flock, "Feed my lambs ... Feed my lambs ...
Feed my sheep" (Jn xxi. 15.16.17). The shepherd's flock is hungry and he
feeds them,
and therefore we do not starve!
Letter to Friends and Benefactors (No. 15) October 1978
Dear Friends and Benefactors:
The first difference is how +Fellay addresses his 'audience', and recalling
the context, since he at one time (up to about 2 years ago) had continued
the practice of the Letter to Friends and Benefactors, but no more. One
might then wonder: are the same people no longer his friends? Are they
no longer his benefactors? Does he not want them to think of themselves as
his friends and benefactors? Perhaps he does not want to be seen giving his
polite and loving guidance to his Faithful? Does he no longer want to have
himself thought of the way ABL did? What could be the motive?
We are told that his highest objective is "unity." How does this change, the
abandonment of the Letter's dissemination, constitute any approach to 'unity'?
Does the shepherd who does not feed his lambs encourage unity of the fold?
What happens when a shepherd does not feed the lambs? Do they not go
off, elsewhere, seeking sustenance?
These considerations shed a new light on +Fellay's expressed desire for
'unity' - as if he is bemoaning how his yearned-for 'unity' is not happening to
his satisfaction but for whatever reason, he is at a loss to know how to force
it to happen, other than by complaining when he is thus disappointed.
One most glaring curiosity is the hypocrisy of Menzingen when they scold their
members and Faithful for not identifying themselves, by not including a
signature or their name at least, on docuмents - but there is no name on
the following docuмent!!!
For the sake of reference, the linked post contains the second item, the so-called
Official communiqué, which I include here:
Official communiqué of the SSPX Monday, February 11, 2013
The Society of Saint Pius X has learned of the sudden announcement about the resignation of Pope Benedict XVI, which will be effective on the evening of February 28, 2013. Despite the doctrinal differences that were still evident on the occasion of the theological talks held between 2009 and 2011, the Society of Saint Pius X does not forget that the Holy Father had the courage to recall the fact that the Traditional Mass had never been abrogated, and to do away with the canonical sanctions that had been imposed on its bishops following their consecration in 1988. It is not unaware of the opposition that these decisions have stirred up, obliging the pope to justify himself to the bishops of the whole world. The Society expresses its gratitude to him for the strength and the constancy that he has shown toward it in such difficult circuмstances, and assures him of its prayers for the time that he wishes to devote from now on to recollection.
Following its founder, Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, the Society of Saint Pius X reaffirms its attachment to eternal Rome, Mother and Instructress [Mater et Magistra] of Truth, and to the See of Peter. It reiterates its desire to make its contribution, according to its abilities, to resolving the grave crisis that is shaking the Church. It prays that, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the cardinals of the next conclave may elect the pope who, according to the will of God, will work for the restoration of all things in Christ (Eph 1:10).
Menzingen, February 11, 2013,
on the Feast of Our Lady of Lourdes