SSPX Resistance
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The SSPX Resistance (sometimes shortened to the "Resistance") is a loosely organized group of traditionalist Catholic priests and faithful, founded by Bishop Richard Williamson, which broke away from the Society of Saint Pius X ("SSPX").[1]
History
[edit]Bishop Williamson was expelled from the SSPX in 2012. Prior to his expulsion, Williamson had been convicted of Holocaust denial by a German court in 2010.[2] After Williamson left the SSPX, the priests and faithful who followed him were dubbed the "SSPX Resistance."[3]
In his discussions with the SSPX, Pope Benedict XVI had indicated a willingness to grant the Society canonical recognition. Certain priests within the SSPX accused their superiors of abandoning the group's traditional principles, for considering this offer of canonical recognition.[4]
The SSPX itself was established by Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre in 1970 in opposition to the changes brought by the Second Vatican Council.[5]
Episcopal Consecrations
[edit]Bishop Williamson has consecrated five bishops to serve the Resistance. The first bishop he consecrated was Jean-Michael Faure in 2015. Williamson later consecrated Tomás de Aquino Ferreira da Costa, Gerardo Zendejas, Giacomo Ballini, and Michał Stobnicki.[6] Williamson's 2017 consecration of Zendejas, at St. Athanasius Church in Vienna, Virginia drew condemnation from the local bishop, Bishop Michael Burbidge.[7]
Williamson also performed a conditional consecration of Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò.
Structure
[edit]There are also Resistance chapels in Ireland, headquartered in Cork, overseen by Bishop Giacomo Ballini.[8] Regarding the masses held in Derry, Bishop Donal McKeown warned the faithful: "The priests of SSPX Resistance Ireland are not in full communion with the Catholic Church and do not accept the full teaching authority of the Church."[8][9]
The SSPX Resistance also has a presence in England, including in London, Kent, and Berkshire.[10]
Affiliated religious orders
[edit]Traditional Dominicans of Avrillé, France, who were formerly affiliated with the SSPX, have aligned themselves with the Resistance.[11]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- ^ "Star launches podcast documentary on SSPX Resistance in West Cork". The Southern Star. Retrieved 31 May 2025.
- ^ "British bishop convicted of Holocaust denial". NBC News. 2010-04-16. Retrieved 2025-05-31.
- ^ Davis, Michael Warren (2019-10-22). "SSPX: Back to the Bad Old Days?". Crisis Magazine. Retrieved 2025-05-31.
- ^ "SSPX falsely accused: "Resistance to what?" | District of the USA". sspx.org. 2013-05-20. Retrieved 2025-05-31.
- ^ "36 years after the schism, what does the Society of Saint Pius X represent?". La croix international. 2024-10-10. Retrieved 2025-05-31.
- ^ "Ex-Lefebvrist prelate illicitly consecrates a fourth bishop". La croix international. 2023-01-10. Retrieved 2025-05-31.
- ^ "Statement from Most Reverend Michael F. Burbidge on the Consecration of Father Gerardo Zendejas, Member of an Independent Church". Catholic Diocese of Arlington. May 8, 2017. Retrieved May 31, 2025.
- ^ a b Hosford, Paul (2025-04-01). "Gardaí probe safeguarding issues following complaint about fundamentalist Catholic group". Irish Examiner. Retrieved 2025-05-31.
- ^ McNulty, Chris (2025-03-20). "Bishop's concern over 'illicit' Masses". www.donegallive.ie. Retrieved 2025-05-31.
- ^ "My Sunday morning inside Southport's extremist Catholic sect". The Post. 2022-10-15. Retrieved 2025-06-01.
- ^ admin (2015-07-07). "The Friary's Position". Dominicans of Avrille, France. Retrieved 2025-05-31.
