Epistles PH

06/06/2026

Bishop Schneider’s conclusion—that the Pope should give equal or even greater attention to the SSPX because they are “traditionally right”—is mistaken. Instead of urging Rome to be more lenient or accommodating toward the SSPX, he should be pressing for a firmer and more decisive response to the situation in Germany.

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https://epistles.online/2026/06/07/sspx-and-germany/

The SSPX and Germany represent different illnesses within the Church and therefore require different remedies. Comparing them ignores key ecclesiological distinctions and creates a false equivalenc…

05/06/2026

This gives me reason to hope that Pope Leo's pontificate may bear much good fruit in the years to come. Read full before reacting.

Book link: https://amzn.to/4uky0bI

https://epistles.online/2026/06/05/paul-kengor-why-pope-leo-xiv-is-neither-a-liberal-nor-a-democrat/

Paul Kengor argues that Pope Leo XIV is neither a liberal nor a Democrat, citing his pro-life record, traditional Catholic beliefs, Republican primary voting history, and commitment to restoring st…

04/06/2026

"If the Pope were to pronounce an excommunication, a new anathema, upon the consecrating and consecrated bishops, it would go down in Church history as an error of excessive pastoral severity."

Schneider's books at https://amzn.to/49G1k4Q

https://epistles.online/2026/06/05/on-bishop-schneiders-core-questions-regarding-the-sspx/

My reaction to Bishop Schneider’s five core claims on the SSPX and his critique of those who do not fully align with the Society is that they frame a complex issue in a strongly one-sided way.

04/06/2026

Magnifica Humanitas is a deeply Francis-shaped document. Pope Francis is cited more than the topic of AI itself, and roughly 33% of the quotations in the text come from him.

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https://epistles.online/2026/06/04/the-minds-behind-magnifica-humanitas/

Magnifica Humanitas is, in many ways, a Francis document written by Leo XIV. Drawing heavily from Francis, John Paul II, Vatican II, Benedict XVI, Augustine, and other Catholic thinkers, it applies…

02/06/2026

News just broke that Pope Leo XIV has appointed Maria Montserrat Alvarado, a laywoman and leader at EWTN News, as Prefect of the Dicastery for Communication. This is the first time a laywoman has been chosen to head a Vatican dicastery.

While I acknowledge Alvarado’s professional skill and generally sound reputation in Catholic media, I remain deeply concerned about the ongoing trend toward the feminization and laicization of the Roman Curia.

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https://epistles.online/2026/06/02/the-feminization-and-laicization-of-the-roman-curia/

News reports Pope Leo XIV appointed laywoman Maria Montserrat Alvarado to head Vatican communications. Appointment raises concerns about increasing lay and women leadership in the Curia and potenti…

27/05/2026

In 1988, Pope John Paul II issued the motu proprio Ecclesia Dei after one of the gravest crises in modern Church history: the illicit episcopal consecrations carried out by Archbishop Marcel Lefebv…

27/05/2026

"In the present circumstances I wish especially to make an appeal both solemn and heartfelt, paternal and fraternal, to all those who until now have been linked in various ways to the movement of Archbishop Lefebvre, that they may fulfil the grave duty of remaining united to the Vicar of Christ in the unity of the Catholic Church, and of ceasing their support in any way for that movement. Everyone should be aware that formal adherence to the schism is a grave offence against God and carries the penalty of excommunication decreed by the Church’s law." - Ecclesia Dei, 5c https://epistles.online/2026/05/27/pope-john-paul-iis-heartfelt-appeal-cease-your-support-for-the-lefebvre-movement/

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23/05/2026

Ven. Fulton Sheen, a true saint who would never lead your soul into compromise or disobedience. 👍 Read why he is right and where I think he falls short at https://epistles.online/2026/05/09/sheen-on-the-sspx/

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18/05/2026

This is me (and many other well-intentioned Catholics) trying hard to prevent the SSPX bishops from facing further canonical penalties and to help the Society obtain a stable canonical mission so they can more freely serve the salvation of souls. But the response is usually backlash instead of dialogue. 👎

My position has always been balanced: to defend the SSPX where it is misunderstood, but also to acknowledge and criticize real instances of disobedience where they exist. I can’t claim to care for my fellow Catholics while at the same time excusing what the Church clearly teaches as wrong.

More articles on my perspective here: https://epistles.online/?s=Sspx

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NOTE: As usual, only charitable, thoughtful comments go through. Mockery, distractions, red herrings, and strawman responses do not really help. Offenders will suffer mmediate excommunication.

14/05/2026

Cardinal Muller: "No one can demand of the Pope that he live in unity with them and their like-minded associates. Rather, the opposite is true: a true Catholic lives in unity with the Pope and the bishops in hierarchical and sacramental communion with him. Everyone brings schism upon themselves through the free decision not to recognise the Pope’s authority, either in theory or in practice. Canonical disobedience is not made any better by asserting that one is not opposing the Pope, even if one claims one must consecrate bishops for the sake of the salvation of souls."

Read and Subscribe: https://epistles.online/2026/04/20/cardinal-muller-rejects-sspx-emergency-defense/

From "Vatican Confidential: A Candid Conversation with Cardinal Gerhard Müller" (2023) by Cardinal Gerhard Müller & Franca Giansoldati
Buy on Amazon: https://amzn.to/4usuJs0