The Bishop of Derry has expressed concern that a fundamentalist ‘Christian’ group is ‘illicitly’ giving out communion at private masses in the north west.
Bishop Donal McKeown last week issued a statement to clergy in the diocese, which includes 12 parishes in east Donegal and Inishowen, in relation to SSPX Resistance Ireland.
It has been described as an ‘antisemitic Catholic splinter group’ by anti-racist and anti-fascist website, The Beacon.
SSPX Resistance was founded by Richard Williamson, a former Bishop who was twice excommunicated by the Vatican and was convicted of Holocaust denial in Germany in 2009.
Bishop McKeown said, in recent weeks, he has received several inquiries regarding the status of the breakaway group holding masses in the Diocese of Derry.
“Given the frequency and sincerity of these inquiries, I find it necessary to offer clear guidance on this matter for the faithful of our Diocese,” he wrote in a statement to clergy.
“The priests associated with SSPX Resistance Ireland are not in full communion with the Catholic Church. While they may not be in formal schism, their status remains irregular, as they do not accept the full teaching authority of the Church, including the authentic teachings of the Second Vatican Council and the reforms that followed. This includes key teachings on religious liberty, ecumenism, and the repudiation of collective blame for the death of Christ.”
Although the priests of SSPX Resistance Ireland may administer sacraments that are valid in a sacramental sense, they do so ‘illicitly’.
“To knowingly and formally align oneself with this group is to align with a community that operates outside the structures of the Church,” Bishop McKeown added.
“Furthermore, the Catholic Church has no supervision of its priests or ministers in terms of Safeguarding practices and policies.”
For Catholics in the Diocese of Derry, he continued, the sacraments should be received in full communion with the Church and ‘from priests in good standing’.
While certain sacraments, such as Penance and Anointing of the Sick, may be received validly from SSPX Resistance Ireland clergy in cases of danger of death when no other priest is available, the Bishop said this is an exception and not a justification for regular attendance.
“Given the availability of Catholic churches and priests in good standing within the Diocese of Derry, there is no legitimate reason to seek out Mass or sacraments from SSPX Resistance Ireland.”
Bishop McKeown urged all the faithful to ‘remain steadfast’ in communion with the Church.
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