February 21, 2026 (Steven O’Reilly) – The SSPX has recently made known its intent to consecrate new bishops in July, with or without the permission of the Roman Pontiff. Rome offered to enter into discussions with the SSPX on disputed questions with the condition that the SSPX suspend its plans to consecrate new bishops. The SSPX rejected this offer, and indicated the Society will proceed with the consecrations in July.
Over the last couple of weeks Roma Locuta Est has published some of its own thoughts on recent developments involving the SSPX:
- SSPX to consecrate new bishops? Enough of the nonsense!
- SSPX/China Consecrations: Is the analogy a fair one?
- A growing case of SSPX fatigue
Recently, I became aware of three articles authored by Fr. John Rickert, FSSP, TOFP on the subject of the SSPX consecrations. Fr. Rickert, who is opposed to the consecrations in question, wrote these articles or “messages” for the benefit of his parishioners. The articles were included in the parish’s Sunday bulletin.
Fr. Rickert’s articles are interesting, clear, and well-reasoned. Given that I thought others might benefit from Fr. Rickert’s comments, I sought and received his permission to publish them.
The reader should note that Fr. Rickert is clear in stating he is speaking only for himself — and not for his superiors, his diocese, the FSSP, or any other entity, etc.
Fr. Rickert is Rector of St. Joseph Mission of Queen of Apostles Parish, Rockdale, Illinois. Those who follow this blog – or who have read my book – should be familiar with Father. I have cited his articles opposing the claim Benedict XVI’s resignation was invalid (see HERE, and HERE). In addition, while I was drafting my book opposing Benepapism (see Valid? The Resignation of Pope Benedict XVI), Fr. Rickert provided suggestions which were incorporated into that book. Fr. Rickert has published two books on logic, which I recommend (see Visual Logic Seeing Classical and Modern Logic, Visual Logic II: A Further Look).
Below, I have included the three messages/articles written by Fr. Rickert. I have made some minor format changes to adopt to the blog, but the content remains as written by Father.
Fr. Rickert’s Messages to his Parishioners
Message 1:
The Society of St. Pius X (SSPX) announced a few days ago that they will consecrate more bishops on July 1 of this year,
even without the permission of the Holy See. Out of due consideration for my superiors, the Fraternity, the Diocese, and so on, I state that here I am speaking only for myself, and not for any other entity. Accordingly, if you have any questions, comments, suggestions, etc., kindly bring them to me first, and thank you for your consideration.
The SSPX was founded by Abp. Marcel Lefebvre in 1970. As he grew older, he worried what would happen after his death, and
in 1988 he consecrated four bishops, only two of whom remain. This consecration was carried out against the express instructions of the Holy See, making it an act of formal schism, and hence Lefebvre, Bishop Castro-Mayer, and the four new bishops were excommunicated.
This discussion on all this has gone on at great length, ad nauseam, ever since. Yet, I think the fundamental issue is simple. The 8 Commandment says, “Thou shalt not bear false witness.” This is a commandment from God, and, as a prohibition, it must always be observed. No means no. As a particular application of this commandment, I assert that one can act in the name of the Church only with the authorization of the Church. When a priest says Mass, he is acting in the name of the Church, not in his own name. When he gives absolution, he is acting in the name of Christ Himself. When a non-Catholic or even a non-Christian gives an emergency baptism, provided the intention is to confer it in the way the Church does, he is acting with the authorization of the Church. And so on. But a priest who says Mass or a bishop who consecrates other bishops without authorization, and indeed, when forbidden to, is bearing false witness.
Message 2:
Last time I emphasized that one can act in the name of the Church only with the authorization of the Church. This was based on a direct appeal to the 8 Commandment, “Thou shalt not bear false witness.” The assertion I make is actually defined dogma, and so obstinate doubt or denial of the dogma is heresy.
Council of Trent, Sess. XXIII, Canon 7:
“If anyone says that bishops are not superior to priests, or that they have not the power to confirm and ordain, or that the power which they have is common to them and to priests, or that orders conferred by them without the consent or call of the people or of the secular power are invalid, or that those who have been neither rightly ordained nor sent by ecclesiastical and canonical authority, but come from elsewhere, are lawful ministers of the word and of the sacraments, let him be anathema.” (Emphasis added.)
Note the part that I have both bold faced and underlined. “Anathema sit” makes this truth de fide definita, irreversible and immutable. Again, voluntary, obstinate doubt or denial of this truth is heresy.
Additionally, consider Canon 8:
“If anyone says that the bishops who are chosen by the authority of the Roman pontiff are not true and legitimate bishops, but merely human deception, let him be anathema.”
If the Society of St. Pius X gives due reverence and obedience to the Bishops under the Holy Father, I have yet to see it. In contrast, all of the priests of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter receive our faculties from the local bishop, as we should.
There was an important meeting on Feb. 12 of the Holy Father and the Society, which I may need to comment on next time. Oremus.
Message 3:
First, thanks to those who have replied to me about my previous two articles, which were about the Society of St. Pius X. There is one more point I think I should bring up, since some people have mentioned it to me. This way I can give a single answer. Please remember, as before, that here I speak only for myself and not for any other entity, whether it be the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter or the Diocese of Joliet. If you have questions or comments, please speak with me first.
The question is whether the Society of St. Pius is in schism. Some, indeed, point out that Bp. Athanasius Schneider said some years ago that they are not, and Michael Matt of the Remnant has said likewise, among others. The answer I am going to give may be a bit surprising. If it is, please consider it for a while before deciding what you think of it.
The answer I give is: It’s not the right question to ask. It’s a red herring. The real question that has to be answered first is, “What is the correct definition of schism?” Canon 751 says that schism is “[T]he withdrawal of submission to the Supreme Pontiff or from communion with the members of the Church subject to him.” (Note especially the words following “or.”) Along with heresy and apostasy, it is fundamentally an individual, personal act. Rather than generalizing to a group, the definition focuses on an individual’s actions or dispositions. As a body as a whole, the Society is not in a state of declared schism, but that’s not really all that relevant. The real question is what’s going on in individual hearts and minds. With that said, the institutional refusal of the Society to respect the legitimate authority of bishops gives open evidence of schism.
Someone asked me, “What is the highest law?” expecting, I think, the reply, “The salvation of souls.” Which would not even be correct. Our Lord Himself tells us what the two greatest commandments are. And if we truly love God, we adhere to Him and His Church.
A person who is separated from God or obstinately separated from the Church – in schism with God or His Church — is on the road to eternal perdition. Don’t go there.
God bless you — Fr. Rickert
Roma Locuta Est 