Why I Am Not A Sedevacantist...

Note: Sedevacantism is the theological position that a minority of so-called "traditionalist Catholics" presently hold that the chair of St. Peter has been vacant for at least the last four popes. In theory, this is a valid theological opinion.

Sedes Vacante only means the seat is vacant. So, how does one know the seat is vacant and who has the competence to make such a judgment? Laurence G., Jeremiah Bannister, Ken Bird, Gerry Matatics, the Dimond [biological, and not monastic] brothers? And if we made such judgments, by what authority do we teach our thesis as facts? Is teaching the role of the laity, unless delegated by the hierarchy to do as such? Is our license to teach granted automatically because of the "crisis" in the church? Does that elevate the laity who read a few books to canon lawyers and theologians?

I have received a number of emails about debating the Dimond brothers. I am not interested, nor do I believe I am a competent opponent. However, I hope some of the active sedes out there realize that the Dimonds probably think some of them are heretics as well, if it didnt stop at their various heretical positions.

I have flirted with the idea of sedevacantism in the past. That seems to just come with the territory of having been a traditionalist. Much of our concerns, no matter how much we think we are being objective and limited by the dogmatic and definitive teachings of the Church, are motivated and fueled by our ongoing and sometimes mounting emotional response to local indifference and/or outright heterodox teachings/beliefs either from the clergy or the laity. But, I believe we should not let our discomfort, discontent, or anger get in the way of our reason.

What authority do I have to declare the See of Rome vacant? None. Because, what if I am wrong? What if I don't know as much as I know now, or as much as the sede apologists? Do I just go with my gut? How would this Church have survived a fortnight if we all had the option of de-throning our spiritual superiors at the whim of our studied opinions? I am not convinced of the sede apologia. I have been told lately I am a "realist". I hope that isnt a condemned heresy. But, I like to look at these things practically. What does it mean to live as a sedevacantist, practically, day to day. When I met a sede priest at a Gerry Matatics talk, he promised to send me some materials on a question I brought up. He sent me a book, as well as a stack of documentation which demonstrates, I suppose, the validity of his ordination through a valid line of bishops. He also sent me a copy of his ordination certificate. It was all in Latin so until I learn it, it is as good as useless to me. And the irony of ironies, the speaker Gerry Matatics, a card-carrying sede actually told me he didnt even believe that man was a valid priest. Where does Gerry go to assist at Mass? He doesnt. He and his family have been reduced to sitting at home, reading the pre-1962 Roman Missal, and reading the Lives of the Saints. Is this what our Lord told us the Church would be like? But what about the prophesied apostasy? Really? How certain are you this is the so-called "Great-Apostasy"? Would you bet your soul on it?

I won't.

I believe Benedict XVI is the successor of St. Peter, and wherever Peter is, there is the Universal Church, and there I will also be.

St. Thomas Aquinas, pray for us.