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Sacraments

How one defective intention nullified all Anglican orders
Previously, we looked at Cardinal Pietro Gasparri's treatment of the ministerial intention and holy orders. See how his principles are relevant today…
‘Positive doubt’ doesn’t mean ‘particular evidence’: More on conditional ordination and Novus Ordo priests
It’s claimed that a bishop must be convinced there is positive doubt before proceeding to conditional repetition of a sacrament. This is true – but it…
 • S.D. Wright
Priests punished for associating with SSPX – PLUS A survey of SSPX views on the validity of Novus Ordo orders
The priests' departures from their dioceses come as the SSPX faces reprisals across the world. But what is the thought within the SSPX about such…
 • S.D. Wright
Have the Avrillé Dominicans move beyond their new rite of episcopal consecration study?
Although Fr Pierre-Marie Kergorlay's study of the new rite of episcopal consecration remains foundational for many, his own community appears to have…
 • S.D. Wright
BREAKING: SSPX episcopal consecrations announced
The SSPX has announced that they will be consecrating bishops 1 July 2026, apparently without pontifical mandate, following Archbishop Lefebvre’s…
 • S.D. Wright
Classic study radically overstates Lefebvre's position on holy orders
It’s been claimed that Lefebvre 'never called in question the validity of the new rite of episcopal ordinations.' This is an untenable claim, even if…
 • S.D. Wright
'I do not hesitate to administer conditional confirmation when asked'—Archbishop Lefebvre
Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre wrote to Abbé François Pivert in 1988, explaining his rationale and willingness to confirm conditional confirmation freely…
'Painful uncertainty'—new rite of holy orders critiqued in 1978 by Athanasius Kröger OSB
This Una Voce group was publishing some very daring material in the early days.
Can liturgical changes affect validity? Cardinal Vaughan says yes
Cardinal Vaughan stated that systematic liturgical changes demonstrate the intentions of those responsible for them, and can render the rite of doubtful…
Fr Zuhlsdorf, Michael Davies, and doubtful sacraments
'Father Z', aka Fr John Zuhlsdorf, responded to our article on whether the new rites of holy orders are valid. Here's our reply.
 • S.D. Wright
Classic study calls conditional ordination a 'measure of prudence'
In his defence of the new rites of episcopal consecration, Fr Pierre-Marie OP nonetheless refers to conditional ordination as 'the usage that seems to…
 • S.D. Wright
Former Jesuit and pro-life stalwart conditionally ordained to the priesthood
Fr James Marshall, pro-lifer and former member of the Society of Jesus, has been conditionally ordained by Bishop Germán Fliess of Bishop Donald…
 • S.D. Wright
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