SSPX Resistance
.jpg)
The SSPX Resistance is a loosely organized group of traditionalist Catholics, 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."[1]
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.[3]
The SSPX itself was established by Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre in 1970 in opposition to the changes brought by the Second Vatican Council.[4]
Episcopal Consecrations
[edit]Bishop Williamson 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.[5] Williamson's 2017 consecration of Zendejas, at St. Athanasius Church in Vienna, Virginia drew condemnation from the local bishop.[6]
Williamson also performed a conditional consecration of Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò.[7]
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 group called "Dominicans of Avrillé", France, who were formerly affiliated with the SSPX, have aligned themselves with the SSPX Resistance.[11]
The Benedictine Monastery of the Holy Cross in Nova Friburgo, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil is directly aligned with the Resistance.[12] This is also where Bishop Williamson consecrated Father Jean-Michel Faure as a Bishop on March 19, 2015.[13]
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- 1 2 Davis, Michael Warren (2019-10-22). "SSPX: Back to the Bad Old Days?". Crisis Magazine. Retrieved 2025-05-31.
- ↑ "British bishop convicted of Holocaust denial". NBC News. 2010-04-16. 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.
- ↑ "Archbishop Carlo Maria Viganò: A Controversial Figure in the Catholic Church". www.ilmessaggero.it. 2024-06-20. Retrieved 2026-07-03.
- 1 2 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.
- ↑ "Resistência". Mosteiro da Santa Cruz (in Portuguese). Retrieved 2026-05-21.
- ↑ triregnum (2015-06-23). "Boletim da Santa Cruz Nº 51". Mosteiro da Sta Cruz (in Portuguese). Retrieved 2026-05-21.
