Rome's Silence on Doctrine and Canonical Sanctions Against Tradition

On July 2, the Prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernández, signed a decree declaring the latae sententiae excommunication of the bishops who consecrated and were consecrated at the ceremony on July 1 in Econe. This sanction automatically affects more than 16,500 faithful, 589 priests, brothers, and seminarians, and 397 nuns from 68 countries. But most importantly, Rome remains silent regarding the Profession of Faith published on May 14 by the Society of Saint Pius X, and regarding the open letter of June 24 to the Pope and cardinals with the Profession of Catholic Faith.

Law without faith – a parody of justice

Contemporary Rome prefers to apply the law mechanically, avoiding essential doctrinal discussions. Instead of responding to the theological arguments presented, the curia resorts to automatic sanctions. Some commentators even claim that the bishops excommunicated themselves – such legal formalism seems to be merely a way to avoid responsibility for the content.

This stance is particularly contrasted with the event of May 4, when Anglican "Archbishop" Sarah Mullally blessed Roman cardinals – an ecumenical gesture that causes justified confusion among supporters of tradition. It seems that today it is more important to show "openness" than to defend the truths of the Catholic faith.

The salvation of souls – the supreme law

On February 2, after the announcement of the upcoming consecrations, Father Davide Pagliarani reminded of the ancient maxim of canon law: "suprema lex, salus animarum" – the supreme law is the salvation of souls. This principle, also enshrined at the end of the 1983 Code, underpins the Society's mission in the current situation – it acts as a help to souls seeking the truth.

In the present necessity, from this higher principle ultimately depends the entire legitimacy of our apostolate and mission to the souls who turn to us. This is our role – to act out of love, filling the gaps.

However, present-day Rome seems to value the Anglican "Archbishop" more than a faithful Catholic priest. Ecumenism is proclaimed as an "irreversible" achievement of Vatican II, while defenders of a return to the Tridentine liturgy are punished with automatic excommunications. This is an obvious double standard.

Law without faith – the collapse of justice

Here it is worth recalling another ancient saying: "summum jus, summa injuria" – extreme law becomes extreme injustice. When law is separated from faith and truth, it becomes an instrument of oppression. In the history of the Church, law has always served the salvation of souls, not the other way around.

• The excommunication affects thousands of faithful, priests, and religious who defend the traditional liturgy.
• Rome ignores the doctrinal questions presented in the Profession of Faith and the open letter to the Pope.
• The contrast with ecumenical gestures toward the Anglicans shows double standards.
• The principle of the salvation of souls must be above the mechanical application of law.

Today's events are not just a legal dispute, but a spiritual drama. The faithful who wish to preserve the traditional faith face the displeasure of church authorities, along with doctrinal silence. This testifies to a deep crisis where form is more important than content, and law more than truth.

Source: La Porte Latine — https://laportelatine.org