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:
His tenure was turbulent, as he at times ‘recognized’ but ‘resisted’ the authority of the Apostolic See. Patriarch Audo (or Audu) insisted on having autonomy in appointing and consecrating bishops, without or even against the approval of the Supreme Pontiff, and he acted accordingly. He also considered himself to have jurisdiction over the Syro-Malabar Church in India.… READ MORE
Home At Last: Transalpine Redemptorists Become Sedevacantists
Some wonderful news broke earlier this month, on May 2, the feast of St. Athanasius, Doctor of the Church:
The ‘Congregation of the Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer’ (Filii Sanctissimi Redemptoris or FSSR), headquartered on Papa Stronsay island off the northern coast of Scotland, published a formal document in which they disavow the Vatican II Church and its apostate counterfeit Catholicism, declare their allegiance to the true Roman Catholic religion, and explicitly repudiate Leo XIV and his predecessors through Paul VI, as being false popes.
In short: The ‘Transalpine Redemptorists’, as they are also known, have become sedevacantists.… READ MORE
The Church’s Mystical Passion: What It Is (and Isn’t)
More and more people are adopting the idea that the profound changes to the Roman Catholic religion that have occurred since roughly the time of the Second Vatican Council (1962-65) can only be explained by positing that the Catholic Church has been sharing mystically in the Passion of her Divine Founder.
The Church being the Mystical Body of Christ, it is rather fitting that she should resemble her Invisible Head in all things, not excluding a period of intense suffering, persecution, and (at least apparent) ‘death’ before He returns to judge the living and the dead.… READ MORE
A Refutation of Bp. Athanasius Schneider’s Defense of the SSPX
Novus Ordo auxiliary bishop Athanasius Schneider in 2022 (image: Copyright 2022, KNA GmbH, www.kna.de, All Rights Reserved)
This post was updated after it was first published to correct an error in a translation from the original German.
In a recent interview given to the German Certamen association, Bishop Athanasius Schneider, auxiliary of the diocese of Maria Santissima in Astana, Kazakhstan, answers questions regarding his position on the tensions between ‘Pope’ Leo XIV and the Lefebvrist Society of St. Pius X (SSPX or FSSPX).
The SSPX has announced episcopal consecrations for July 1, which will merit their bishops a decree of excommunication from Rome because they are acting independently and without the canonically required ‘papal mandate’ from Leo XIV.… READ MORE
A Challenge to Lefebvrism:
Some Inconvenient Questions for the Society of St. Pius X
Long-time readers of this blog know that we have critiqued and exposed the errors of the Society of St. Pius X (SSPX), founded by Abp. Marcel Lefebvre, many times. Here are some examples:
In view of the schism controversy surrounding the upcoming SSPX episcopal consecrations, it will be appropriate to reissue, in somewhat modified and updated form, a challenge to the clergy and/or lay adherents of the SSPX that was first published years ago.… READ MORE
One of the main services Novus Ordo Watch tries to render to the public is the making available of, or raising awareness concerning, Catholic magisterial texts that are not widely known or have not before been published online in English. There is a wealth of pre-Vatican II papal teaching ‘on the books’ that, unfortunately, is largely unknown even to traditional Catholics; thus we are trying to do our part to help remedy this situation. Thankfully, with recent advances in technology, discovering, translating, and spreading it has become easier and easier.… READ MORE
Allocution of His Holiness Pope Pius XII to Ecclesiastical Students in Rome
June 24, 1939
The solemn assembly to which you have come together, dear sons, to offer a testimony of reverence and devotion to the Vicar of Jesus Christ on earth, fills us with singular joy and profound delight. Indeed, before our eyes stands a gathering adorned with every kind of excellence and enriched with the vast abundance of intellectual gifts. We are particularly consoled by the presence of this select group of distinguished professors in sacred disciplines and capable leaders, who labor with great diligence to ensure that the students entrusted to them are formed in holiness and become excellent priests.… READ MORE
‘Eternal Rome’:
Pope Pius XII Against Recognize-and-Resist
In a Novus Ordo Watch tweet of Oct. 23, 2025, reacting to this article headline by The Remnant, we stated: “Just a quick reminder to The Remnant that there is no such thing as ‘Eternal Rome’. That term was invented by Abp. Marcel Lefebvre to accommodate his position of recognizing Modernists as true Catholic Popes while resisting their heretical magisterium.”
It turns out that is not entirely correct. A reader made us aware that in 1949 the phrase “Eternal Rome” was actually used by Pope Pius XII (r.… READ MORE
What Has Happened to the Catholic Church?
An Updated Guide for Confused Catholics
Novus Ordo Watch isnot receiving any kind of compensation for promoting this book (with the exception of one free copy).
Many people who sincerely desire to be good and loyal Roman Catholics are seriously troubled and confused today. Although the Second Vatican Council occurred more than 60 years ago, it has left a lasting impact. Vatican II, as the council is called for short, took place from 1962-65 and radically changed Catholic liturgy, the sacraments, and essential beliefs that have come down to us from Christ and the Apostles.… READ MORE
“Perhaps he chose not to speak anymore because he did not feel understood”
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For almost four months now, the Vatican II Church has been under new management. Since May 8, Robert Francis Prevost has been running the show as ‘Pope Leo XIV’.
The popular FRANCIS WATCH podcast program has thus become LEO WATCH, and it had its debut on June 3.
LEO WATCH is produced by Roman Catholic Media on a monthly basis. A third episode was broadcast live on Aug. 27 on YouTube.
As with its predecessor FRANCIS WATCH, in the new LEO WATCH, host Stephen Heiner is joined by sedevacantist Bishop Donald J.… READ MORE
What theological position should a Catholic take in our day?
LIVE TONIGHT 8/29 at 9:00 pm ET:
Friendly Discussion on Church Crisis, Resistance, and Sedevacantism
Exciting news! Today, Friday, Aug. 29, at 9:00 pm Eastern Time (01:00 UTC on Aug. 30), there will be a livestream on YouTube, hosted by Kevin Davis of the Catholic Family Podcast, for a discussion between Anthony Abbate of Avoiding Babylon and Mario Derksen of Novus Ordo Watch.
This will not be a fiery polemical combat but a friendly, relaxed chat between people who love Jesus Christ and His Holy Catholic Church and seek to act in accordance with His Will and His doctrine in these incredibly confusing and challenging times.… READ MORE
Why (Not) Sedevacantism?
Answering Objections and Concerns
On Aug. 8, 2025, Anthony Abbate of Avoiding Babylon published a 12-minute video on Twitter/X in which he shared some thoughts about why he does not think Sedevacantism is the right position to adopt in these incredibly difficult and confusing times.
Realizing that addressing Anthony’s points and answering his objections could not reasonably done on Twitter, yours truly decided to respond at sufficient length on an episode of the Catholic Family Podcast with Kevin Davis.
We played Anthony’s video in full, pausing it occasionally to react and provide commentary as needed.… READ MORE
Leo XIV to Ecumenical Group with Orthodox: ‘Rome, Constantinople, and All Other Sees Not Called to Vie for Primacy’
‘Pope’ Leo XIV in Castel Gandolfo on July 13, 2025
Today at Castel Gandolfo, the ‘Holy Father’ Robert Prevost (‘Pope Leo XIV’) received in audience participants in a so-called Orthodox-Catholic ecumenical pilgrimage from the United States. The Vatican has published some photos here.
Aside from the usual ecumenical blather about “restoring full unity among all Christ’s disciples” — as if one could be a disciple of Christ without belonging to His flock, which is the Roman Catholic Church exclusively — ‘Pope’ Leo dropped a bombshell regarding papal primacy.… READ MORE
Semi-trad Robert Morrison: "There can be no union between the SSPX and the Synodal Church" - https://www.lifesitenews.com/opinion/of-course-the-sspx-isnt-welcome-in-leo-xivs-synodal-church/ But when it comes to the issue of Sedevacantism, suddenly the Synodal Church is the Catholic Church, from which we must never separate ourselves....
Archlayman of Prominent Diocese Mocks Christ by Presiding over Blasphemous “Mass” - https://radicalfidelity.substack.com/p/archbishop-of-prominent-diocese-mocks
Catching up on some 'older' news stories, this one from June 8: "A Catholic parish in Milan will set aside space for young Muslims to perform Islamic prayers during its summer oratory program, with the parish priest defending the initiative by saying that Christians and Muslims
Full communion update: New Jersey church under 'Cardinal' Tobin celebrates ‘Pride Mass’ for eighth straight year - https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/new-jersey-church-under-cardinal-tobin-celebrates-pride-mass-for-eighth-straight-year/
Now there's a real winner: Italian Novus Ordo bishop Derio Olivero at the "Mass in the Valley" on July 19, 2026 - https://www.vitadiocesanapinerolese.it/chiesa/cronaca/photogallery-messa-in-valle-alla-diga-del-chisonetto/ https://x.com/NovusOrdoWatch/status/2080717379416302066/photo/1
If the Synodal Church Didn’t Have Double Standards, It Would Have No Standards at All - https://radicalfidelity.substack.com/p/if-the-synodal-church-didnt-have
Transalpine Redemptorists to provide livestream for episcopal consecration of Fr. Michael Mary, FSSR, by Bishop Pierre Roy (main consecrator) and Bishops Rodrigo da Silva and Fernando Altamira (co-consecrators) tomorrow, July 25, 2026. https://papastronsay.blogspot.com/2026/07/episcopal-consecration-of-most-reverend.html
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