Catholic Info
Traditional Catholic Faith => SSPX Resistance News => Topic started by: ThatBritPapist on February 16, 2025, 08:03:15 AM
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Thoughts?
February 12, 2025
Feast of the Seven Holy Founders
Dear Brother Priests, Religious, and Faithful of the Society of St. Pius X:
I write to share my decision to step away from ministry in the SSPX. Over the past few years, my view of the crisis in the Church has changed significantly. Despite sincere efforts to find a way forward with the Society, my recent cordial audience with the Superior General gave me the clarity to know that I can no longer presume to represent its interests.
I realize that this news may come as a surprise. Not wanting to disturb anyone's peace, I chose the path of discretion rather than sow confusion or appear to disrupt the Society's mission of saving souls. My intention has been to address this sensitive matter in a way that respects both the faithful and the integrity of the Society.
Now I find myself in the challenging position of conveying my decision to leave while still showing due respect to the
SSPX. Inevitably, such a decision points to serious disagreements. Nevertheless, I do not wish to deny or diminish the real good that the Society accomplishes. Its provision of the sacraments and valuable Catholic formation to so many, along with all that it has done for me, are things for which I am deeply grateful.
My departure stems from theological conviction and the demands of conscience that follow. Specifically, I have come to the conclusion that the Holy See has been vacant since the Second Vatican Council a conclusion with profound implications for the apostolate. While this statement requires elaboration, the limited scope of this letter does not permit it. Suffice it to say that when I entered the seminary, I was confident that certain doctrinal questions had been resolved. Over time, however, my confidence in those resolutions eroded. I can only hope that those of you who know me best will understand the gravity of the deliberation behind my conclusion even if you disagree wholeheartedly.
As indicated above, I have made every effort to accommodate myself to the practical mission of the SSPX, hoping it possible to continue serving as a Society priest while holding to and acting on my convictions. But it has become clear to me that such an arrangement is, under the present circuмstances, unsustainable in the long run.
If this announcement brings confusion or discomfort, please be assured that my foremost concern is to avoid undermining your spiritual peace. I share this news only to provide some context to a decision that I could no longer realistically postpone. Regardless, I implore you to remain steadfast in the practice of the one true faith, continuing to cooperate with God's grace, as I strive to do and trust that you do as well.
Although I must leave the Society, my commitment as a Catholic priest to the salvation of souls remains unwavering.
To this end, I humbly request your prayers as I discern how best to serve Holy Mother Church in keeping with my vocation. 'The friendships and pastoral encounters that I have enjoyed in the SSPX remain precious to me, and I have no intention of distancing myself from anyone who wishes to keep in contact. May Our Lord grant us the grace to remain umited in charity, even when our paths diverge.
In the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary,
Reid Hennick
Fr. Reid Hennick
P.S. I am not opposed to this letter being shared for information purposes, but I do ask that the amicable nature of my departure be respected. As the theological matter referenced here is already much misunderstood, in your charity, please ensure that the letter not become a pretext for stirring up existing hostilities among traditionalist clergy and faithful.
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This has already been discussed here:
Fr. Reid Hennick announced today that he has left the SSPX. His departure letter is attached, and transcribed below. In the letter he states that since his formation in the seminary he has become a sedevacantist and can no longer represent the Society's interests. The letter is very amicable and not polemical in the slightest.
ff.
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Thoughts?
It's good. When has another younger SSPX priest become sedevacantist recently?
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It sounds like he's been a sedevacantist for some time, and that he intended/hoped to continue working as a society priest, serving the faithful of the society, but that he has come to realize that it just is not possible for him to do so. He comes to this realization after having met with the SG, so I'm guessing he was probably told by his superiors that something needed to give.
Seems to me he handled the situation perfectly. Don't know what else one could ask/expect.
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He was ordained 2016 (https://stas.org/en/news/meet-new-priests-7540):
Fr. Reid Hennick grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Upon discovering tradition he began attending Mass at the SSPX’s chapel in Mukwonago. There he experienced the good friendship and encouragement which are so propitious for a vocation. Fr. Hennick’s ordination card shows a Florentine statue of St. Thomas putting his finger in the pierced side of Christ.
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It's always a great thing to hear about priests who become Sedevacantists. Anyone who believes in all of the papal claims (which any and all devout Catholics should) has no other logical choice but to arrive at the Sede position. This priest has great courage to go against the popular theological tide of the day and because he has done so, there is absolutely no doubt that he is living up to his sacred vows and takes them very seriously, which is more than what many priests are doing today. God bless him.
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It sounds like he's been a sedevacantist for some time
"when I entered the seminary [in late 2000s], I was confident that certain doctrinal questions had been resolved." Sounds like he became a sedevacantist recently.
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It is great news, and he seems to have handled his departure perfectly prudently.
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Regardless of whether one agrees or disagrees with sedevacantism, too bad Fr. Schmidberger did not request Fr. Hennick’s assistance in writing +Bp. Williamson’s eulogy.
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Fr. Schmidberger did not request Fr. Hennick’s assistance in writing +Bp. Williamson’s eulogy.
Fr. Schmidberger wrote a +Williamson eulogy?
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Fr. Schmidberger wrote a +Williamson eulogy?
Yes, it’s here on CathInfo. Fr. Chazal wrote a response to Fr. Schmidberger because it was rude and utterly classless. Better to have remained silent. Fr. Chazal’s letter is also on CathInfo.
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Thoughts?
It is a grace Father Hennick made the decision to leave the duplicitous SSPX.
He will have a harder priestly life, without the comforts afforded by the Society.
But he loses the dual mindedness, defending Church tradition while giving consent to the artificial papacy’s & it’s Vatican circus.
(https://i.imgur.com/C68UEeP.jpeg)
May Our Lady watch over and protect him.
🙏🏻
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I hope that Fr. Hennick finds a way to serve the sedevacantist faithful. The SSPX, despite its many problems, especially with the leadership, hasn't ever changed its stance on the Pope. It's the same stance now as it always was (regarding the office of the papacy, that is).
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As somebody who has known Fr Hennick for quite some time, he has been a sedevacantist for a while
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As somebody who has known Fr Hennick for quite some time, he has been a sedevacantist for a while
That’s pretty cool.
So what you’re really saying is Father Hennick discerned the fallacy of the post 1958 jew-popes and realized he had to hold fast to the true Faith.
He came to the conclusion that the SSPX is duplicitous in claiming to defend Catholic tradition, while recognizing the series of papal usurpers running the Church schism… and he decided to leave.
Using just the word “sedevacantist” to describe Father Hennick is on par with labeling him a homophobe, a racist, or an antisemite.
These are all talismanic words, weaponized against those who discern & speak the truth.
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Using just the word “sedevacantist” to describe Father Hennick is on par with labeling him
I wonder what sort of sedevacantist he is. Sedeprivationist or not?
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It would not be surprising if there are a number of Society priests who also believe the See is Vacant, but are not yet ready nor willing to leave.
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It would not be surprising if there are a number of Society priests who also believe the See is Vacant, but are not yet ready nor willing to leave.
I heard from a Sedevacantist priest that the SSPX superior told him to stay and be a secret Sedevacantist.
I wonder what this superior thought that could be done about the prayers that are said out loud. A Sedevacantist would not compromise by mentioning a Pope in prayer who he believes to be an impostor.
It was not mentioned by the priest if the superior in question was the prior, district or general superior.
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It would not be surprising if there are a number of Society priests who also believe the See is Vacant, but are not yet ready nor willing to leave.
There are a few who hold the position privately but publically will not mention it.
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This adjustment to avoid consent to the newChurch Kayfabe:
“...which in the first place we offer up to Thee for Thy holy Catholic Church, that it may please Thee to grant her peace, to protect, unite and govern throughout the world, together with Thy servant N. our true Pope, N. our true Bishop, and all true believers and professors of the Catholic and Apostolic Faith.”
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God Bless Fr. Hennick! I'm adding him to my prayer list.