Jeff Mirus does not believe in the thrice defined dogma of “no salvation outside the Church” in its literal and “irreformable” clarity (as a de fide doctrine is defined at Vatican I). Yet Mirus props himself in a gratuitous “chair” to issue his decrees against Catholics who receive the sacraments from SSPX priests. Going so far as to say that their confessions are invalid. And he has an audience, I guess — like-minded “conservative” Catholics who believe one can be saved in any religion because of “invincible ignorance” or whatever. Dr. Mirus, please stop. You have no authority. If you want to issue judgments at least you should believe first what the Church teaches in its solemn definitions and what every saint believed. You choose not to know what the saints and doctors have taught on salvation outside the Church. You know nothing when it comes to the ultimate question on the whereabouts of the road to salvation. You dismiss the whole tradition of the Church — in its clear and common teaching over the centuries — and yet you assume to pass judgment on the validity of confessions for those who confess to SSPX priests! Does Jeff Mirus believe that Protestants can be forgiven their sins without even believing in confession? Yes, he does. But not traditional Catholics who confess to SSPX priests. Protestants go straight to God. And that’s fine with Mirus. After all, they are in good faith, just ignorant. I do not write this in any anticipation that Jeff Mirus will read it. Of course he wont. He never read my critique of his attack on John Venarri for defending the infallible dogma. I put many hours into a rebuttal of Mirus. It can be read on our website under the title “More Catholic Than the Popes” No, rather, I write my criticism for those who might be influenced by him.
Catholic Culture: In the past few days, two bishops have been reported as announcing the excommunication of Catholics who attend Masses offered by priests of the Society of St. Pius X. First we heard from Bishop Marcello Semeraro of Albano, Italy, who reaffirmed the policy of his predecessor. Today there are reports that the same discipline has been imposed by Bishop Óscar Domingo Sarlinga of Zárate-Compana, Argentina. More here.
