Update on the SSJC and the Traditional Anglican Communion Cooperation
July 28, 2012 7 Comments
Early in the week I expressed my utter dismay with a statement of cooperation agreement between the SSJC and the TAC which appeared on the SSJC website. I was dismayed (more despaired - you can read about that by following the above link) because:
1. I was not aware of any existing or pending ecumenical agreement between my Church, the TAC, and the SSJC.
2. I could not see (and still cannot) why the TAC would engage a fringe Old Catholic sect when,
3. Christian unity, as we have been promised, looks at working towards overcoming the obstacles that exist between us and that which is One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic - not creating further impediments.
4. I mean, look at what this society teaches!
Well, I have just received the following correspondence from the Very Rev Gregory Bellarmine, SSJC+ Superior General, Secundus:
Gentlemen,
Fr Bellarmine here. Permit me please to offer a response.
Correct, we in no way support the behaviours of the Vatican hierarchy, nor could we be in communion with their clergy given the multifaith Assisi events 1, 2 & 3. Christ is the only way to salvation. Full stop. And no, we cannot help build up or support any group that works against this public faith. But the TAC expresses our faith on this cornerstone belief, which many large modernist churches in practise do not.
We also are NOT in communion with ANY group but are open to all Catholics, including the TAC. What we are doing is cooperating and yes I initiated contact, because I believed that working together to build the Church locally would be better for Christendom in a hostile secular age than working apart.
So we are “traditionally-ecumenical.” This position is clearly stated on our website.
That means when we come across Anglo-Catholic faithful the TAC have graciously offered to supply sacramental services such as confirmations. The order of communication was the Rt Rev Michael Gill, after which Bishop Botterill and finally Fr. Ian Gray.
By cooperation the sense is similar to that of “Churches Together” but for the conservative Catholic, Roman, Anglo, etc
I fail to see the storm this cooperative relationship has raised? Should we not work together?
V. Rev. Gregory Bellarmine SSJC+
Sacramental ‘services’?!
Now, I just don’t know what to say, or think…
About Fr Stephen Smuts
Apparently the SSJC has “repealed” Apostolicae Curae.
We have yet to hear from the TAC side.
Yes, Fr. S. I would run from these guys!
Dear Rev Fr Smuts,
While I appreciate you may disagree with certain of our doctrinal positions, I ask only that our positions and relationships be presented as they are.
First, there is no ecumenical agreement in place nor intended to be pursued with the TAC as a whole nor ANY other jurisdiction so there is nothing of which one need be aware. Our is a working relationship in the spirit of cooperation. You are free to contact the TAC to verify that the relationship is exactly as described: a gentlemanly extension of the desire for cooperation to help to unite rather than divide, to gather rather than scatter.
It is our custom as a Society that wherever our missions may be placed that we have a spirit of cordial relations with all clergy, from all Christian denominations, be they from noncomformist traditions or otherwise. This is simply based on a mutual respect for one’s ministry and for the people God has entrusted to their care.
Our goal is to offer the exclusively saving Gospel of Christ to the lost, never to draw others from their spiritual homes, unless such a Church may be apostate as far as mainline Christianity is concerned. And specifically I refer to Christian churches in name only not faith such as Jehovah’s Witnesses, Mormonism, etc
So if you view that a positive working relationship with fellow conservative Christians – that is, with those who profess the same Creed, with those who teach a Christ Alone Gospel – somehow impedes the efforts toward visible Christian Unity, that is an argument not for me to make because I would politely disagree with that view.
As for sacramental services, if while ministering an English Catholic expresses a wish for one of the TAC to minister I will be in a position to invite the TAC to offer refreshment to such a one by having that open, working, cooperative relationship.
As a PS, may I ask that my email be removed from your previous update? This is to prevent spam.
My Very & Kind Regards
V. Rev. Fr. Gregory Bellarmine, SSJC+
Sorry, yes, I should have known about the spam. It has been removed.
So this is a group of sedevacantist vagantes who condemn Rome for being Modernist but don’t accept Apostolicae Curae? The mind boggles.
V. Rev. Gregory Bellarmine here
Permit me please another clarification.
We are in no sense sedevacantist.
From our Positions on Vatican II:
“We believe that like his predecessor, through his actions of ‘participating in sacris’ at Assisi III he has prayed with non-Catholics and in particular non-Christians and has visibly departed from the Christian Faith, and thus loses the authority to govern under both Canon Law and the clear ruling of several Ecumenical Councils, as do his Bishops and clergy who are in a state of suspension from office. His example of Religious Indifferentism threatens the salvation of Souls. Thus, no Catholic owes obedience to any man or woman who publicly professes allegiance to the Novus Ordo liturgical centres. There is in them the power of sacrament by order but not the jurisdiction to govern.”
And: “Because the office of the Holy Father is the Vicar of Christ, representing the worldwide Church as their representative and guide, we in no way can recognise as valid the election of any one claiming the throne of Peter other than that which resides in Rome today.”
The suspension is automatic, according to the code of 1917 for ALL clergy whether a sub-deacon or the Bishop of Rome himnself for performing sacred actions as equals with non-Christians. To the SSJC, Benedect the XVI is most certainly the Pope.
As to Modernism & what it is and isn’t. It isn’t about being against “contemporary” worship or fellowshipping with creedal Christians.
Modernism is a very specific heresy. It’s about daring to call oneself Christian and denying the validity of God’s written Word, questioning the authenticity of scripture, the salvific exclusivity of Jesus Christ, the names of the Trinity, the regulative worship principles and order of the Church as presented in Timothy, of promoting an “ever shifting Gospel,” of denying the authority of the very documents that have comprised much of Apostolic Tradition.
We believe Modernism has led to the Vatican theologizing itself into “okaying” “in sacris” worship services with non-Christians, which is out of touch with St. Paul’s view of non-Christian Religions.
Regarding non-Christian religions, Sacred Scripture teaches that “all the gods of the nations are devils” (Ps. 45:5). Regarding heretical religions, Saint Paul tells us that false creeds are the “doctrines of devils” (1 Tim. 4:1). True or not? Thus, Sacred Scripture and Sacred Tradition always forbade Catholics to engage in religious camaraderie with false religions. Assisi 1, 2 & 3 publicly demonstrated the Vatican hierarchy engaging with non-Christians in a worship setting of actual prayer. This is now history as recent as last year.
Please see this blog post & (Fr Smuts I include this understanding it may be deleted but it does show what the pre Vatican II Church defined Modernism to be)
http://www.latinmass.org.uk/2012/03/modernism-led-to-false-ecumenism-and.html
Modernism led to a “false” ecumenism and behaviour that inevitably shows one denies Christ as the exclusive and only Saviour.
And yes we accept the pre Vatican II Church’s research findings in Apostolicae Curae but developments have occurred since then, particulary for the TAC via the PNCC etc. A research paper may refer to dogma but is not in itself dogmatic.
Jesus Christ will always be the sole Way, for instance but the celestial bodies aren’t fixed in the heavens after all.
Very & Kind Regards
V. Rev. Gregory Bellarmine SSJC+