It's very possible that the indult Masses have already 'mopped up' everyone who wants to go to the traditional Mass (as they were meant to do). If there's nothing to distinguish the SSPX from other indult societies, they may actually lose people as the FSSP and ICKSP have better churches and better liturgy, in more accessible places.

It's been said that the Motu Masses since 2007 don't get converts from the Novus Ordo. The congregations consist of Latin Mass enthusiasts who were already in existence, but had scruples about going to the SSPX. The SSPX will be committing ѕυιcιdє for nothing. No wonder Rome is so keen on an agreement.

So Bishop Fellay's whole line doesn't even make sense, unless you think the SSPX has some sort of special charism from God and "when THEY get a shot at preaching to those Indulters, then watch out! Time for the world to convert!"

I've thought for years that this  is exactly what's going on. I think they actually believe they have a singular mandate from heaven, and once they rejoin corrupt Rome, suddenly there will be choirs of angels and a light from above; causing all the heretics and reprobates to flee- and installing them (SSPX superiors) in seats of power where they can bring about a new golden age for the Church.  Without the prior consecration of Russia, I don't think things will go that route. But, who am I to judge?

The SSPX is no longer about the flock, it is and has been for some time about the priests, specifically Bp. Fellay and his comrades. They want the "prestige",  comfort, and wealth that comes from recognition for themselves. Just look at the new seminary, $125,000,000++ dollars when the SSPX parishishioners can barely make ends meet. There are other projects going on that are also for the priests.

By all appearances, it looks like today the SSPX priests are taking a vow of luxury.

Careful there, that argument could be wielded by anti-clericals or even protestants.

The poor, working-class faithful have always pooled many $5 and $10 bills to build beautiful cathedrals filled with ornate decor, beautiful statuary and works of art, Gothic altars, ornate brass candlesticks, etc.

Only the best for God.

That isn't the problem. The problem is imprudently spending money NEEDLESSLY for the wrong reasons.

Expanding the seminary in Winona, MN wasn't good enough. Those in the "corridors of power" (the East Coast) couldn't care less about flyover country like Minnesota.

But a conversation piece seminary, something that even atheists can appreciate for purely material reasons -- that's another matter.

This encapsulates Bishop Fellay's goals and attitude. In a trip to Mexico, he tried to fire up the crowd by speaking of "stadiums filled with hundreds of girls receiving their first Holy Communion..." The man thinks big.

But thinking big isn't always thinking smart.

Right now, many SSPX chapels are too small (or non-existent) and that is of much more concern than having a Disneyland seminary.

But like a slum lord, he doesn't want to invest valuable profits into things that will only benefit his tenants (sources of income): adequate reliable plumbing, heating, functional windows, etc. Spending money on these things doesn't benefit him at all, and the people have nowhere else to go.

The selfish strategy of the slum lord is to spend as little as possible on repairs, so he can maximize his profits, which will be used on things HE wants (nice cars, women, vacations, luxury goods, drugs, etc.)

Bishop Fellay wants to spend the money on a big new seminary that even non-Catholics will want to talk about. That much more fun than just building or upgrading several dozen chapels.

Sounds like he'd get along well with Fr. Pfeiffer -- who also doesn't want to build any chapels, he just wants his seminary.