May we associate with
Traditional Catholic Priests?

 
They adhere to the Catholic Religion:

In its doctrine: they have pronounced solemnly and publicly the following formula: "I sincerely hold that the doctrine of faith was handed down to us from the Apostles through the orthodox Fathers in exactly the same meaning and always in the same purport.  Therefore I entirely reject the heretical misrepresentation that dogmas evolve and change from one meaning to another different from the one which the Church held previously"  (Pope St. Pius X, Oath against Modernism).

That is why they simply preach and teach the traditional Catechism.

In its worship:

- For the Mass, they make use of the right granted by St. Pius V: "By virtue of our Apostolic authority, We give and grant in perpetuity that for the singing and reading of Mass in any church whatsoever this Missal may be followed absolutely, without any scruple of conscience or fear of incurring any penalty, judgment or censure, and may be freely and lawfully used"  (Pope Pius V, Bull Quo Primum).  They follow therefore the missal published by Pope John XXIII in 1962.

- In the administration of the other Sacraments, they make use of the last traditional ritual published in Rome, also in 1962, for "if anyone says that the accepted and approved rites of the Catholic Church that are customarily used in the solemn administration of the sacraments can, without sin, be belittled or omitted by the ministers as they see fit, or that they can be changed into other new rites by any pastors in the Church; let him be anathema" (Council of Trent, Decree on the Sacraments).

- In its prayer: because "among the public prayers which we profitably address to the Virgin Mother of God, the holy rosary occupies a special and exceptional place.  Every Christian knows this.  This form of prayer, which some call the 'Psalter of the Virgin' or the 'breviary of the Gospel and the Christian life', was described and recommended by (...) Leo XIII, of happy memory, in these forceful terms: It is a wonderful garland, woven by the Angelic Salutation, interspersed with the Lord's Prayer, combined with the obligation of meditation.  It is a most excellent manner of praying ... and very fruitful for the attainment of eternal life.' (...)  And We do not wish here to pass over in silence the fact that the Blessed Virgin herself, even in our times, earnestly recommended this manner of praying when appearing in the grotto of Lourdes to an innocent girl, she taught her by her example how to recite the Rosary.  Therefore why should we not hope for every grace if we, with a devout disposition and befitting devotion, supplicate our heavenly Mother in this manner?"  (Pope Pius XI, Encyclical Ingravescentibus malis on Our Lady).

- They believe in the Roman Catholic Church: for they have publicly and solemnly pronounced the following formula: "I believe with equally firm faith that the Church, the guardian and teacher of the revealed word, was personally instituted by the real and historical Christ, when He lived among us, and that the Church was built upon Peter, the prince of the apostolic hierarchy, and his successors for the duration of time" (Pope St. Pius X, Oath against Modernism).

- They acknowledge and pray daily for Pope John Paul II at every one of their Masses: "We offer Thee for Thy Holy Catholic Church, to which vouchsafe to grant peace, and also to protect, unite, and govern it throughout the world together with Thy servant John Paul, our Pope, N... our bishop, as also all orthodox believers and professors of the catholic and Apostolic faith"  (Canon of the traditional Mass).

What are the rights granted by His Holiness Pope John Paul II on the Catholic faithful?

- For Baptism: "In a case of necessity, any person who has the requisite intention may baptise" (Code of Canon Law, 1983, c. 861,2)

- For the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass: "On Sundays and other Holydays of obligation, the faithful are obliged to assist at Mass" (Ibid., c. 1247)  "The obligation of assisting at Mass is satisfied wherever Mass is celebrated in a Catholic rite" (Ibid., c. 1248,1)

- For Confession: "All to whom by virtue of office the care of souls is committed, are bound to provide for the hearing of the confessions of the faithful entrusted to them, who reasonably request confession (...).  In an urgent necessity, every confessor is bound to hear the confessions of Christ's faithful, and in danger of death, every priest is so obliged" (Ibid., c. 1003,1).

- For the Sacrament of Extreme Unction: "Every priest, but only a priest can validly administer Extreme Unction" (Ibid., c. 1003,1).

What is the practical conclusion of all this?
"The true friends of the people are neither revolutionaries nor innovators, but traditionalists" (Pope St. Pius X, Letter on the Sillon).


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