Breaking down the Pints with Aquinas interview with Mr. John Salza- part 4/9

The conversation returns with Mr. Fradd asking Mr. Salza to “steel man” the SSPX position on the episcopal consecrations of 1988. After a moment, he does, weaving through some references to the SSPX negotiations with Rome in the past.

The bulk of the episode, however, revolves around the source, the nature and application of papal authority, answering the question of why Mr. Salza is so compelled to warn of what he calls schism in the SSPX arm of the traditionalist movement. The ecclesiastical logic behind why multiple popes have said the exact same thing is surprisingly straightforward, and food for thought for all.

Towards the end Mr Salza, in a heartfelt moment, addresses the SSPX priests directly and encourages them to take any of the off-ramps available now so they can help the church in a lawful way. A few minutes later, Matt Fradd, recognizing a particular pattern in the objections of some traditionalists, pre-empts the conclusion of Mr. Salza’s sentence and interjects with “that’s what the Protestants think… the church is (simply) the body of true believers (emphasis added).” Other topics include Bishop Williamson, the Resistance, and the danger of going to the TLM without regard to the juridical legitimacy of the celebrating priest.