This is the biggest alarm bell. If you leave FSSP, why would you not latch on to some more stable group like SSPX or the broader Resistance? Would someone of the FSSP mindset and theological position suddenly have an issue with the neo-SSPX and go straight to some Resistance group? Sedevacantist I can see ... if one came around to that conclusion. But why would one take the path direct from FFSP to Boston and not consider SSPX first? Something smells in Boston, and it's not just Pablo.
You're absolutely correct.
When analyzing Trad groups, there are two factors:
Size/organization
and
Position
FSSP and Boston, KY are light-years apart in both categories!FSSP is all "recognize" and no "resist". FSSP is arguably not Traditional Catholic, since they don't believe in the Traditional Catholic tenet that we have supplied jurisdiction, a right to keep our Faith despite lack of Roman permission, and they seem to deny there is a Crisis in the Church, since they are working with Modernist Rome and are on perfect terms with same. They are very conservative, yes, but they go against many tenets and beliefs that the Traditional movement has always consistently stood for, from 1970 until the present day.
Fr. Pfeiffer's fringe group is all "resist" but no "recognize". They excommunicate anyone (including clergy) not part of their group, considering them non-Catholics and
vitandi. They don't even recognize their brothers in Tradition, much less anyone in the Conciliar Church. This group has more of an apocalyptic, home aloner type position, a position usually seen in extreme sedevacantist groups. Anything and everything whispered about one of the recent Popes will be boldly shouted from the housetops by Fr. Pfeiffer.
FSSP is often considered (rightly so, in my opinion) to be classic "smells and bells". Their chant and High Mass rubrics are impeccable, and so forth. But has anyone here worked with Fr. Joseph Pfeiffer? Building up chapels materially, organizing
scholae, acquiring High Mass equipment for various chapels, etc couldn't be a lower priority for him. He is like an Irish priest: low Mass (and bare essentials) all the way. My point: they are as different as toasters and cirrus clouds.
As for organization, you couldn't get more polar opposites.
The FSSP is as organized as the SSPX. Those two are extremely similar as far as professionalism, organization, size, standardization of priestly formation, knowing what to expect when you drop in at any of their chapels, etc.
Fr. Pfeiffer's group is allergic to anything resembling planning or organization. They couldn't be more random, haphazard, or disorganized.
But more than mere lack of good administration or planning (which might be excused), there are grave disorders within this organization on many levels!Now depending on why a priest fell out with the FSSP, he might go different directions. Will he join a group with a more conservative position, but still organized? Or a group more conservative/liberal, but still in union with Rome? These would make sense. There had to be something he liked and still likes about the FSSP. A person doesn't change that much, or that quickly. And certain Trad groups are as dissimilar as cheddar cheese and hope.
In this particular case, there is nothing in common between the FSSP and Boston, KY except for the superficial name of "Catholic".
And let's face it: only desperation could bring a person to go with such a small, disorganized, failing, extreme of position, and scandal-ridden group.So the 10 million dollar question: Why is this priest so desperate for a "gig"?I'm not going to say things about this priest that I don't know, but everything I wrote in this post is 100% certain. There is SOME reason which explains this priest's irrational behavior, if it's true that he's working with Fr. Joseph Pfeiffer. Knowledge that he's working with Fr. Pfeiffer is all I need to begin "wondering" about this priest.
Topic: New priest in Boston, KY (Read 9388 times)