TX bishop writes pastoral letter on receiving sacraments from SSPX priests, ecclesial status of SSPX: ‘not in full communion or good standing’

CV NEWS FEED // The bishop of the Diocese of Fort Worth, Texas, penned a pastoral letter this week addressing questions about the ecclesial status of the Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX) and whether Catholics can receive sacraments from SSPX priests and at SSPX churches. 

Bishop Michael Olson explained in the October 31 letter that he has recently received numerous questions on this topic, so he decided to issue a statement covering several responses. 

First, the bishops and priests in the SSPX are not in full communion with the Catholic Church, according to Bishop Olson.

“While the SSPX is not in formal schism with the Catholic Church,” he wrote, “they are also not in full communion or good standing with the Catholic Church. 

“For example, the SSPX does not accept the authentic teaching of Vatican II including the authentic reforms of the Liturgy, the teaching on religious liberty for Catholics and our separated brethren in the Protestant tradition, and also the repudiation of blame assessed against the Jewish people for the death of Jesus Christ, as all taught by Vatican II and subsequent teachings of the Holy See since Vatican II.”

Second, the bishop stated that the SSPX bishops and priests do not “exercise legitimate ministry within the Catholic Church.” The sacraments administered by those in the SSPX are valid but not licit. 

“To align with the SSPX knowingly and formally is to align with an illicit and irregular relationship with the Catholic Church, her hierarchy and her teaching,” he wrote. “To celebrate a sacrament validly but illicitly foments discord and does not foster communion within the Church.”

Finally, he explained that “if a Catholic is able to receive the sacraments at a Catholic church from clerics in good standing, then there is no reason to attend and receive sacraments at an SSPX church or chapel illicitly from a priest without faculties and not in full communion with the Catholic Church.” An exception to this would be if one is at risk of death and cannot receive Viaticum and the sacraments of Penance and Anointing of the Sick from a priest in good standing at the moment, he noted. 

Given the high number of Catholic churches in the Diocese, “There is no acceptable reason in the Diocese of Fort Worth, for a Catholic to seek out an SSPX Mass or sacraments,” Bishop Olson said. 

In his conclusion, he asked the faithful to pray, and recalled chapter 2 verse 42 from the Acts of the Apostles: “They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers.”

Bishop Olson concluded, “Let us pray that all of us in the Diocese of Fort Worth might align ourselves with this authentic and sound teaching as we pray for the reunion of all Christians.”