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Question
Is it true that the excommunications against the SSPX bishops have been lifted? May catholics now attend Masses offered by the society?
Hi, Martin:
Thanks for the question.
Yes - the Holy Father lifted the excommunications from the four Bishops who were consecrated in 1988 without a Papal Mandate, and I think he also lifted the excommunication of the two Bishops who carried out the ceremony in 1988.
There seems to be a lot of debate around the issues, and some further clarification as to exactly the status of attending Masses offered by the Society of St. Pius X. Just because the excommunications have been lifted does not in-and-of-itself fix the canonically irregular status of the SSPX concerning full communion with the Holy See and the Pope.
My understanding is that attendance at an SSPX Mass has always been considered to fulfill a Catholic's Sunday Obligation, as does attendance at ANY Catholic rite, including the Eastern Orthodox; however, as to whether one ought to, or would even be allowed to receive Holy Communion at these celebratins of the Holy Eucharist is another matter entirely. It is a complex question you are delving into. My hope is that it will be made crystal clear some time reasonably soon.
Fr. Timothy Johnson
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Fr. Timothy Johnson
Expertise
A Traditional Catholic Priest, validly and licitly ordained, incardinated legally and canonically in the Diocese of Fargo, and in good-standing with my Local Ordinary (Bishop) on active assignment at a rural Tri-Parish. I can provide honest and balanced answers to questions on topics pertaining to Traditional Roman Catholicism of the Latin Church (Councils of Trent and Vatican II)and a lot about the Eastern Catholic Churches, including the Sacred Liturgy, Sacred Scripture, Church History, the use of the Latin language, the tradition of Sacred Music, and current events in the Catholic Church from a traditional, historical and balanced perspective.
Experience
I have been ordained a Roman Catholic Priest since June 2001.
Organizations
Knights of Columbus; Church Music Association of America (CMAA)
Education/Credentials
Ordained Priest, 02 JUN 2001; Ordained Deacon, 27 JAN 2001; MA - Dogmatic/Systematic Theology;
MDiv - Professional Degree from Seminary;
2-Years formation with Canons Regular of Premontre including studies and experience in Sacred Liturgy, Chant, Latin, Sacraments, Spirituality.
BA - Scholastic/Thomistic Philosophy;
BA - Liberal Arts;
AA - General Studies.
Past/Present Clients
I serve 3-small, rural Parish Communities in Easter North Dakota
I converted to the Roman Catholic Church in 1981, at the age of 15.
Over the years I have done work as an organist, cantor, and choir director for the Latin Rite (English & Latin) Mass (Liturgy of the Eucharist), and even for the Hours of the Divine Office.
I have worked as a cantor for a Melkite Byzantine Catholic Church.
Presently my pastoral and administrative duties as a Catholic Priest do not allow me as much time as I used to have to devote to Sacred Music; but for my weekend Masses and Solemnities within my Tri-Parish, I offer High Sung Mass in English. Weekday Mass is typically Low Mass (recited Mass) in English, though on occasion I will offer the "Tridentine Mass" in Latin, which I usually offer on my "Day Off", as well. And now, in light of the "Motu Proprio" by his Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI placing the extraordinary usage of the Roman Rite back into the mainstream of the Catholic Church, I have been offering a regularly scheduled SUN, 2:00 PM Tridentine Latin Mass with a community of the faithful that has a stable existence.
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