Podcast: The SSPX and the ‘Legitimate’ Exercise of the Papacy (TRADCAST EXPRESS 227)

Lefebvrists tinker with profession of faith…

Podcast: The SSPX and the ‘Legitimate’ Exercise of the Papacy
(TRADCAST EXPRESS 227)

Our latest podcast episode, TRADCAST EXPRESS 227, was published on June 25. It is 28 minutes long and deals with the big news that broke the day before: that the leadership of the Society of St. Pius X (SSPX or FSSPX), founded in 1970 by Abp. Marcel Lefebvre, had sent ‘Pope’ Leo XIV an open letter and, along with it, submitted a lengthy profession of faith that specifically opposes modern errors:

• “Open Letter to His Holiness Pope Leo XIV and to the Cardinals of the Holy Church”, FSSPX.news (June 24, 2026)
• “Profession of Catholic Faith of the Society of Saint Pius X to Enlighten Souls in the Face of Modern Errors”, FSSPX.news (June 24, 2026)

Since the SSPX takes a recognize-and-resist position, however, rather than the position of Sedevacantism, they have to ‘tweak’ Catholic doctrine a bit, shall we say, in order to make it ‘fit’ their impossible theology of accepting the ostensible Catholic hierarchy as legitimate and valid, while at the same time habitually refusing acceptance of their teachings and disciplinary laws.

In this new podcast episode, we draw attention to the fact that in its open letter to Leo, the SSPX leadership distorts the Catholic teaching on the Church’s foundation and principle of unity in faith and government. We furthermore point out that in their profession of faith, the Lefebvrists add an explosive adjective into their declaration that they “recognize that by reason of this proper and genuine power [of universal jurisdiction], pastors and faithful owe [the Pope] respect and filial obedience in all that concerns the legitimate exercise of his office” (n. 75; italics added).

What does it mean for the papal office to be exercised ‘legitimately’, and who determines that? Who has the authority to decide what ought to be done when such a case happens, and who has the final say? It is true that we are required by divine law to refuse evil/sinful orders, but is that applicable to the actual situation at hand?

This and more is discussed in our latest, powerful podcast episode, TRADCAST EXPRESS 227. To listen, please use the player below (or click here for the direct YouTube link):

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Those who prefer a direct link to the audio file can find it here.

The SHOW NOTES for TRADCAST EXPRESS 227 are as follows:

• “Meet the New Generation of SSPX Bishops”, May 28, 2026 (Novus Ordo Watch)
• “Open Letter to His Holiness Pope Leo XIV and to the Cardinals of the Holy Church”, June 24, 2026 (FSSPX.news)
• “Profession of Catholic Faith of the Society of Saint Pius X to Enlighten Souls in the Face of Modern Errors”, June 24, 2026 (FSSPX.news)
• Pope Leo XIII, Encyclical Satis Cognitum (1896)
• Pope Pius VI, Apostolic Constitution Super Soliditate (1786)
• Pope Pius XI, Encyclical Casti Connubii (1930)
• Pope Pius IX, Encyclical Quartus Supra (1873)
• Henry Denzinger, ed., The Sources of Catholic Dogma (1954 ed.)
• The Catholic Teaching on the Papacy (Collection of Quotes from Magisterial Documents)

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More TRADCAST EXPRESS can be found here; and our full-length, more elaborate TRADCAST episodes can be accessed here.

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