Introduction

We thank all those who have written to us, whether you've been for or against us, or whether you've simply been curious about the state of the Church today.

In the letters for: Many people report experiences with the SSPX that are similar to our own, or to those of a growing number of people around the world, and seem to support our conclusions that the SSPX is in schism and is a cult.

In the letters against: Many of our opponents threaten us, ridicule us, or call us names. This behaviour is typical of members of a religious cult.

We'll let you read the letters and judge for yourself.

Our policy on posting letters:
1. If someone asks us not to post their letter on the website, we don't.
2. If someone asks us to post their letter on the website, we do, unless, in our judgement, the letter contains anything that is offensive to faith or morals.
3. We withhold the names of everyone who writes to us. ONLY IF someone asks us to include their name (and city) do we include it.

Why do we withhold names? We withhold the names of all who write to us, either for or against. It's our experience that the feelings for or against the SSPX can be quite strong. Some people who write to us are in very delicate personal situations, either because the rest of their family members are against them, or because they live in a very small community, and they risk retaliation from others. (See for example the letter of Oct 31, 1998). Sometimes the people who write to us are not financially able to just "pack up and move somewhere else." Quite simply, we don't want others to receive threats and be harassed like we have been. Of all the letters we've received, only a few writers specifically told us to print their names and told us what city they were from.

Some people have suggested to us that because we withhold names, this is "proof" that we have fabricated the letters. But this just doesn't make sense. Don't you think that if we were to go to all the trouble of fabricating "letters", that it would add more credibility to our arguments if we just made up fake names to go along with them, instead of saying "name withheld" ?

In the letters below, we have edited out names and places, and also any descriptions that might serve to identify the writer. When we have inserted comments to help explain something, we use square brackets [ ] .

Letters for our position with respect to the SSPX

Date: Tue, 23 Jun 1998
To: comments@sspx-schism.com
Subject: Fight The Good Fight

Hello John, I reviewed the web site for SSPX and found it to be quite informative and well researched. The accompanying documents certainly provide additional clout with reference to past and present incidents within the Society. You have, avec Mike, researched your subject well and it certainly couldn't hurt to have the formal education behind you either, as far as knowing their teaching methods (aka brainwashing). I am rambling on and this was not my intention. All I want to do is forward my congratulations on a job well done. (And one that needed doing well!!!)

Please keep me in your prayers. Thanks in advance...yes, I am still nervy..ha ha ha.

(Name withheld)

{P.S. All the above goes to Michael as well.....KEEP UP THE GOOD FIGHT...

Date: Thu, 13 Aug 1998
To: comments@sspx-schism.com
Subject: Schism website

Dear Sirs,

I have just read your web page regarding the affair in Toronto. I also have some questions regarding the SSPX in Canada and not only that but their origins.

I attend their masses out of necessity.  I have had uneasy feelings for a long time because of getting all my children involved in their chapels. I attended the U.K. [Ukrainian] Church for a long time because of the general falling away in the Conciliar Church.

Do you know anything about the recent affair in Winnipeg regarding Fr. Dolan and his leaving [the SSPX] ?

There seems to be a lot of trouble surfacing for the Society in Canada and I have a hard time figuring out whether it is caused by themselves or Our Lord bringing things to light which should be exposed.

I suppose you know about the trouble at the end of the year in the Seminary in Winona. Where do you attend Mass now? Is there any other place to go?

Worried

Date: Thu, 10 Sep 1998
To: comments@sspx-cult.com
Subject: Cult website

By the way, I used to be in the SSPX, that is, until I had my confession tape recorded - What a wake up call!

(Name withheld)

Date: Sat, 31 Oct 1998
To: comments@sspx-cult.com
Subject: Advice

Hello

I have a friend who was raised in the SSPX church. She is now wanting to leave but is very afraid something bad will happen to her or to her family. She is also certain her family will abandon her.
Any advice would be appreciated. She has no life within the church [of the SSPX] as she does not wish to marry in the [SSPX] church but does not feel able to explore much outside the [SSPX] church. She is very frightened and desperate. Thank you.

(Name withheld)

Date: Wed, 4 Nov 1998
To: comments@sspx-cult.com
Subject: Phil Zimbardo

Hi

I am a psychologist in [the city of] X. I was impressed to see that there are some researchers interested in the SSPX. I am going to be speaking to [cult expert] Steve Hassan next week. Phil Zimbardo says he is not only not planning to do any research in this area, but is not familiar with the SSPX.

(Name withheld)

Date: Thu, 07 Jan 1999
To: comments@sspx-cult.com
Subject: Cult website

Bravo for speaking out so bravely.

My soon to be ex husband attends a SSPX church as does much of his family. I am trying to make certain that my children are protected from their systems of manipulation.

Your web site and information is a great help.

(Name withheld)

Date: Tue, 23 Feb 1999
To: comments@sspx-cult.com

After reading your web site, I had to write and thank you for what you are about. I am a former parishioner of the SSPX. I was educated and indoctrinated at [the SSPX chapel in X]. It was difficult to leave and I even miss some of the rites and rituals. It was and is still truly a cult and can be a very difficult situation to leave.

Thanks again.

(Name withheld)

Date: Mon, 1 Mar 1999
To: comments@sspx-cult.com
Subject: Cult website IN NEED OF HELP!!!!!!!!!!

My mother recently became involved with a man that is a part of this church. His name is Mr. XX. I hope to be able to find any information regarding Mr. XX and his church in X, hoping that he's not involved in a cult, but if he is and anyone can give me info to support that it would be appreciated. My e-mail address is xxxxxxxxxx

Thank you very much!!!!

(Name withheld)

Date: Mon, 01 Mar 1999
To: comments@sspx-schism.com
Subject: Schism website

Thank you for your informative web site. As a former member of the SSPX in X, I've had first-hand experience at the cultish behavior of its priests and believers. Because of the loss of souls who attend these chapels we must must proclaim the truth even if it makes enemies.

Keep up the good work. May God bless you all.

In Jesus, Mary, Joseph, +
(Name withheld)

Date: Wed, 03 Mar 1999
To: comments@sspx-schism.com
Subject: Schism website

WOW! I am VERY impressed with your site! I have only read a small portion of it, but already find it "to the point" and apparently objective. Thanks! I will forward it to as many people as I can! (Including as many SSPXers as possible!)

I am a convert of only 3.5 years. My conversion took place within SSPX chapel walls, but I rarely attend there anymore. A friend and I were "blackballed" for not being 100% "with the program", so we go elsewhere. Finding your site comes at an interesting time - just last night he and I were discussing those events that led to our disconnection with them, and both agreed their "cliquish" behavior is a supreme understatement. If anyone asks me what I think of them, I must honestly say only, "good soccer players".

Catholic Till Death,
(Name withheld)

Date: Tue, 06 Apr 1999
To: comments@sspx-schism.com
Subject: Schism website

Hi Guys!

Congratulations on your very scholarly material exposing the Society of St. Pius X, but also doing it in a charitable way, and still giving credit where it is due.

I have been asked by a youth group I am in contact with to give a talk in a few weeks time about the history of the Society. Would you be able to refer me to a scholarly article or so, that has been written on the history of the Society, looking at this subject from your perspective?

I live in XXXX, Australia, and have had involvement with the traditionalist movement, nearly two decades ago, and got out of it, and my experiences with the Society correlate with things that you say.

If it is of any help my telephone number is XXXXXXXXX.

God bless you and keep up your good work.

(Name withheld)

Date: Fri, 09 Apr 1999
To: comments@sspx-schism.com
Subject: Schism website

Gentlemen:

BRAVO!!! BRAVO!!! Your work is scholarly and to the point. I have associated with SSPX folks (including some priests) over the years and have always harbored some of the feelings which you so ably put into concrete terms. My sincere thanks for an expose which is needed. As I see it, many of the traditional crowd (whomever they may be)--and I hasten to say that I am a Tridentine Mass Traditionalist--many of the traditional crowd thinks of itself as having a direct pipeline to the Almighty, to the exclusion of anyone else or any other thought to the contrary. And many of them are extremists....extremely bigoted, extremely uncharitable, indeed...cultish.

I recall about 15 years back I attended Mass at an SSPX chapel (there is not one in this state) and at the coffee gathering after Mass, when questioned of my "affiliation", it was loudly proclaimed that "This guy is Novus Ordo." I didn't know any of these people, and after that I didn't care to know them. But I knew ABOUT them and how they were with me on such a brief encounter.

Enough of this, as I tend to ramble on. We do have a Tridentine Mass here in XXXXX (WV) celebrated by a retired diocesan priest. It is currently in a private home. But there is never a question about money, or property, or any of that nonsense.

Thanks again.

(name withheld)

Date: Tue, 9 Apr 1999
To: "John Thomson" <comments@sspx-schism.com>
Subject: Re: Schism website

Dear Mr Thomson,

Thank you very much for your message.

Recently, I have been exchanging letters with Father Laisney over the issue of Fr Feeney and SBC (NH). During the exchanges I realised that Father Laisney was either a bad theologian, or worse, a very dishonest person.

I would very much like to send you a copy each of the letters we exchanged, and so that you can see for yourself his duplicity. Also, many of your observations of the SSPX priests are true, from my own experience.

Yes, my Godson and I have been forced to leave the local SSPX on "own accord". Before that, there were many things that went on behind our backs, with the intention of either silencing us, expelling us, or forcing us to leave on our "own accord".

I believe that, although you do not agree with the Feeneyites on everything, nevertheless, if Father Laisney has employed duplicity in attacking me and them, this is simply something abhorrent.

I am beginning to see the truth of the many things on your website from my own personal experience with the SSPX priests.

I am sending you a copy of my letter to Father Laisney as an attachment. It is self-explanatory. However, it would be better if I could send you the other things Fr Laisney and I exchanged. These are in the form of letters, and I am not able to scan them for the time being.

Perhaps you could send me your mailing address, so that I send you the exchanges.

PLEASE PRAY FOR ME
BEST WISHES

(name withheld)

Date: Sun, 02 May 1999
To: comments@sspx-schism.com
Subject: Schism website

Dear Sirs and Madam,

Thank you for putting out your web site. You seem very level headed and have presented your side dispassionately in what is obviously an emotional subject in the extreme. My family (wife and four children) will be moving from XXX to the U.S. in the next year or so. We will be able to go anywhere. It is our strong desire to go to a community that identifies itself first and foremost as Catholic without equivocation or apologies. It was in this vein that we discovered the SSPX and have begun researching it as well as other traditional Catholic organizations.

Boy, now are we ever confused. I am forced to the expression, "if something seems too good to be true, . . ." St. Mary's, Kansas certainly looks idyllic in their web site, and school through college seems wonderful because of the continuity. Because of your web site though, I now have my eyes wide open and will inspect every place with the critical review it deserves. I am hampered however, as a layman, grown up within the Faith entirely during the Post Vatican II era, so my knowledge and training theologically is quite limited.

My family and I just have a burning desire to live out the Catholic Faith and traditions as best we can. Where are we to go? Here in XXX the population is 95% Catholic, and yet it is such a watered down Faith community that most are Catholic in name only. My wife is in her twenties and does not yet have a college degree and would like to study theology, would any of you be willing to suggest a place for her? If you are hesitant to do so we understand that you have good reasons and offer our prayers for you . Thank you again for putting out the information.

God Bless,

(name withheld)

Date: Sun, 02 May 1999
To: comments@sspx-schism.com
Subject: Schism website

Well, nice page.

I am Catholic and not a heretic. I love my Church and I love the Tridentine mass. The SSPX is just another heretic cult like the Old Catholics and protestants. Many fine claims they make, but nothing they do is licit. The true Church is the Roman-Catholic Church with its pope in Rome.

It seems to me that you are having problem choosing sides. You say on one hand that the SSPX have the true faith and sacraments, but on the other hand you criticize them. There is only one truth: There is only one Roman-Catholic Church, and it is not the SSPX. That is so clear. The SSPX are large with parishes, schools and everything, but hey, so was arianism once.

Take an advice: take the full step from the schismatics and return to the true Church. They have the true sacraments. They have never forbidden the Tridentine mass, it is still valid.

The truth about the SSPX: http://home.earthlink.net/~grossklas/

In Christo,

(name withheld)

Date: Wed, 23 Jun 1999
To: comments@sspx-cult.com
Subject: Cult website

Gentlemen:

Thank-you so much for your information and updates on SSPX. Some close relatives became members of the society several years ago and it has strained our relationship with them. What we have learned from you has helped us to understand them. We have been suspicious for some time that they were indeed "cult-like", but had no confirmation until we discovered your website.

We have a few questions and observations and would appreciate your comments. Is the school at Post Falls intended for vocations? The curriculum appears to be very rigorous with long hours; the girls, especially, seem to be cloistered. Since the society doesn't follow the pope, who is their leader? Who is in charge?

Our family members joined the society, as probably so many others did, out of disgust for some of the implementations of Vatican II. But they have turned into people who we hardly know anymore with very "un-Christian," and unkind behavior! They have no associations outside of the society; they have arranged marriages for their children; they disdain anything temporal - television, newspapers, computers, books (other than religious), all music except for classical, and all forms of education other than what is provided by the society. They distrust government and the medical profession, and they HATE the Catholic Church! They have become unforgiving, judgmental, homophobic, and criticize everything that operates outside the society. The men in the family are chaperoned by other males when they go out at night. The women and girls all wear dresses/skirts at all times - even camping out or hiking or wading in a stream! I was told that this was because "women wearing pants causes men to be homosexuals!" Is this typical behavior or is this simple extremism by this particular family?

My husband was visiting with them one weekend and attended one of their masses in order to hear the choir where his sister was singing - he did not, by the way, receive communion. (This is in Post Falls). He told me that there was no crucifix in the church, and in the middle of the altar was a statue of Mary! Is this common is society churches? Are they replacing Christ with Mary?

Any mention of the Catholic Church to these people is met with name-calling and vehemence - there is a true hatred there. Priests and bishops are called "fags" and "queers." Does the society teach this kind of thing to their members?

Keep up your good work. I certainly wish I could get this family to read your web site and see the truth. They are so blinded by the society and they fill every single criterion that you present on cult-like behavior. Sadly, one of their sons has become a priest - he was accepted into the seminary when he was only 18 (in Kansas) and he was so immersed with society doctrine that he never had a chance to look at it objectively.

Thank-you for presenting the truth. My husband and I are not "traditional" Catholics - we believe that Vatican II was led by the Holy Spirit, as were other church councils in the past, and that the pope is where he is because of Peter being "given the keys" by Christ. It is our duty to be obedient and it seems to me that the society is "marching to their own drum" and writing their own rules.

Sincerely,

(name withheld)

[Note: We have demonstrated elsewhere that Vatican II was NOT from the Holy Ghost. To read that discussion, click here.]

Date: Tue, 06 Jul 1999
To: comments@sspx-cult.com
Subject: Cult website

Gentlemen,

Please let me introduce myself. My name is XXX. I am [section withheld to help preserve the writer's anonymity]. My wife is a VERY devout Traditional Catholic who first got involved with this movement in the 1970's, at Fr. Frederick Nelson's center at Powers Lake, North Dakota. My initial exposure to Traditional Catholicism occurred in the late 1980's at [section withheld to help preserve the writer's anonymity].

A number of recent incidents have made me wonder if the SSPX is on the level (above and beyond what you have stated in your web site.) In August of 1998, we lost our SSPX priest (Father Pazat.) He apparently aroused the ire of the nuns at Post Falls by letting a coed group of High School seniors hold hands while ice skating. (Source has reported reliably in the past, others have corroborated report.) He was replaced by Father Brandler, who had been a seminary professor up to this time. Since his arrival, ALL of the families with small children have left the Victor chapel. He frequently will interrupt Mass, turn from the altar, (while robed as an Alter Christus) and publicly berate the family of a child that makes the slightest sound.

On or about 18 April 1999, he gave a sermon that I found extremely disturbing. He stated that parents should not be surprised if their children disobey them if they (the parents) disobey the priest. He then made a statement to the effect that "any time a priest tells you to do something, it is Christ Himself talking." (That's funny, I thought that the only time that a priest was acting as Christ was only when he was either fully vested and offering Mass or in the confessional with his purple stole on.) After a anti-technology diatribe, he went on to rant about gossip in the ranks. (This, in a chapel of about 10 families that was dwindling by the week.) After we got home that evening, my wife and I contacted friends that had recently moved to Post Falls (he was a teacher in the boys' school there) to find out what was up. Apparently, the word had come down to the priests there to "crack down" after a retreat that was held for the SSPX clericate in Minnesota under the leadership of Bishop Williamson and Father Doran (sp?) Stuff had (to use an expression from my military days) "hit the fan" at Post Falls. Priests were invading parishioners' yards and ordering girls playing on backyard trampolines to don dresses. People were directed to rid themselves of Internet-capable computers and TV's. The laity were also being castigated for other things that were (in the words of my informant) "totally off the wall."

On 2 May, my two-year old was read off from the altar (during the Epistle). She was standing on the kneeler in our pew and holding a holy card of Jesus and Mary. She said, "Mommy, Jesus" quietly and reverently and "Father" Brandler interrupted the Epistle and berated her. When the sermon came, my one-year old got restless. As I was carrying her from the pew this cleric (I can no longer call him a priest) broke off from his sermon and said, "Make sure you give her a good spanking." My wife and I left the chapel in tears. I have sworn to never again darken the door of any SSPX chapel until the proverbial lake of fire freezes over. I have made only one exception, my daughter's first communion. I did my Easter Duty with the SSPV priest.

Last month, we were given a copy of a tape series called "Renaissance to Rambo." These tapes are of a series of conferences given by "Father" Vanderputten at the SSPX retreat center in Los Gatos, CA. He has, according to the woman who gave them to us, given carte blanche for their reproduction and distribution.

Five minutes into the first tape, the speaker calls for the overthrow of our governmental system and the establishment of a "Catholic Social Order" under the "Social Kingship of Christ." He proceeded to idealize the Dark Ages, when life was brutal, unpleasant, and short for the serfs but not too bad for a cleric. Reason, Science, and technology were all damned by the speaker as tools of the devil. He repeatedly praised Fascism (as long as it was a Catholic Fascism.) He slandered many of the Founding Fathers of this nation and called for the overthrow of the Constitution and our system of government. "Father" Vanderputten proceeded to give a version of history that can be charitably describe as ludicrous. For example, he averred that World War II was fought for the express purpose of destroying Austria, "the last Catholic country on Earth." Vanderputten also praised Francisco Franco and stated that it would be a good thing if a dictator came to power in this country and established a "Catholic" state. By the way, he also stated that those burned alive by the Inquisition were the recipients of a scrupulously fair trial.

As I stated above, I retired from the USAF. I and all my comrades swore to "support and defend the Constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic." Throughout my career, I had a Top Secret security clearance and, when my duties required it, was certified under the Human Reliability Program (later renamed the Personnel Reliability Program.)

If I were still on active duty, and found out that one of my troops was a devotee of "Father" Vanderputten, I would have to seriously consider pulling his clearance and/or certification. THIS TAPE SERIES WAS RIFE WITH SEDITION. (Yes, I know what the word means and the seriousness of that accusation.)

I recently found the "Agenda" site on the web and read it, too.

It is obvious that the Novus Ordo/Conciliar church is "out to lunch." It seems that the SSPX has gone Fascist with even a good Montana farm boy like Vanderputten falling for it. Is it possible to be Catholic and American or should I seek out initiation with the nearest Lodge? (The last question is not all that rhetorical, I am seriously bothered by this.)

Sincerely,

(name withheld)

PS. Please, if possible, acknowledge receipt. I also intend to forward this to Mr. Grossklas (sp?)

Date: Thu, 29 Jul 1999
To: comments@sspx-schism.com
Subject: Recent departure of Fr. Gary Campbell

I picked up your page on the internet and noticed that you have an e-mail address where people can contact you. Are you aware that Fr. Gary Campbell, a priest of SSPX has left the society, been incardinated temporarily into the diocese of Auckland, and is at the moment living in Adelaide with his mother?

I put Gary up when he fled the Society's house in Wanganui, NZ (at 4.30 am one morning). He was completely disorientated for a week at least. I had the distinct impression that the way he was describing the Society and its carry on was what I would have expected from someone exiting a cult. I would be happy to give you Gary's address if you want it... He had a very rough time from De La Tour when he left. They were totally lacking in the basics of Christian charity.

Yours in Our Lord and His Blessed Mother,

(name withheld)

Date: Fri, 06 Aug 1999
To: comments@sspx-schism.com
Subject: Re: Recent departure of Fr. Gary Campbell

Dear John,

I am sorry that it has taken me so long to get a reply back to you. Last week was pretty horrendous here; [section withheld to help preserve the writer's anonymity].

[Fr. Gary Campbell] can be reached at xxxxxxxxxx. I think his experience with the society has had a profound effect on his Catholicism as well as his priesthood. I am actually quite concerned for him... Although Gary has spoken quite warmly about Fr. Violette, my reading of a few of his 'pastoral letters' that have been posted on the internet, is that he has been infected with the disease of rabid intolerance for anything that is not SSPX. This kind of stuff simply serves to put people off the Latin Mass, and I believe is quite inimical to any deep spiritual life. One of the things I have noticed with SSPX priests is that their preaching is very didactic, and shows little compassion for human weakness. I am also a bit uncertain about an ecclesiology which allows them to establish a [marriage] tribunal which will have a judicial function. But most of all, the refusal of SSPX to accept the fact that the consecrations were merely a matter for canon lawyers to decide upon, and that it has no dogmatic consequences seems to me to be flying in the face of our Catholic belief in One Holy Catholic and Apostolic Church.

[section withheld to help preserve the writer's anonymity] .

Please keep me informed as to any future developments with SSPX

Yours in Our Lord and His Most Blessed Mother,

(name withheld)

Date: Wed, 25 Aug 1999
To: comments@sspx-cult.com
Subject: Cult website

Dear Sirs and Madam,

I came across your website some time ago, and found it very impressive. The attitudes you describe are characteristic of SSPX in Ireland also. Their equation of the Society with the Church (i.e. extra societatem = extra ecclesiam = damned) is very disturbing indeed.

I have not contacted you, however, merely to congratulate you on your efforts; rather I wanted to ask whether you have any information on what has happened recently to SSPX in the UK? [section withheld].

The reason why I am asking is that here in Ireland, I know some well-intentioned people who are attached to SSPX. If their UK district runs into difficulties, their Irish one will almost certainly follow suit. It may fall to ralliés in Traditional Mass communities like the one I belong to, to pick up the pieces. Forewarned is forearmed, I suppose.

Thanks in advance,
Yours in Christo Rege,

(name withheld)

Date: Wed, 1 Sep 1999
To: comments@sspx-cult.com
Subject: Cult website

I just found your web-site and spent more time than I intended reading most all of the information. I was surprised at how much of the "cult mentality" that I could see that has been present at our former SSPX church in XXX.

In looking back, it was just the most terrible time in all my religious life and for that of my family!!! Things got so bad there that we felt that in order to save our souls and to keep any religion at all, we had to quit there. Since the "modern" church is like having no religion at all, we felt that the only choice for us was to.... [we have withheld the description of their actions to help preserve their anonymity]. Maybe someday we may move back, but not until the Traditional Roman Church treats its people decently like they should be!

Our experience at the SSPX church in XXX showed us that priests, and priests only, are THE church!

Fr. Scott and his "puppet priest" Fr. Stanich took all the money that had been raised for about 12 to 14 years to build a totally new church building, and without consulting the people, in secret, bought a run down existing building in the slums of XXX. This resulted in the discarding of all the furnishings that had been previously purchased by our people for the new building. I myself worked to completely restore [withheld to help preserve anonymity] for the new church. On the day of the "open house" of the "new" church, I heard one church member ask Fr. Stanich "I was asked to buy one of the stained glass windows as a memorial window (which was restored), What is going to happen to it now?" The reply from the pastor was "We have no further need of it now...we're going to get rid of it!!!" From the pulpit, the pastor condemned anyone who would question the "wisdom" of the priests from making this church building purchase.

There are volumes more of information that I could share with you, but you have probable heard it all before from many different chapels. I believe that too too many of the SSPX priests treat their people badly. Why????????

Thank You for having the courage to expose them as you are doing. It must be a very sad task, but thank you for doing it.

(name withheld)

Date: Wed, 15 Sep 1999
To: comments@sspx-schism.com
Subject: Schism website

Dear Sirs,

Your article "Is the New Mass Valid or Pleasing to God?" is the best, most concise and incisive treatment of the topic I've ever read. I thank you and remain in your debt.

Ironically, I found your site through a friend who gave it to me in the hopes of dissuading me from becoming a Protestant because of my attendance of the traditional Latin Mass and speculation that the SSPX may be the answer.

I agree that the society is in schism, but I am not yet convinced that it is not the best way out of the mess we are in. Please stay in touch with me if you have the time and tell me if there is anything I can do to help your movement.

Sincerely,

(name withheld)

Date: Tue, 28 Sep 1999
Subject: Cult website
To: comments@sspx-cult.com

[The writer began this letter by quoting a letter he/she had sent to someone named RMK]

Dear rmk;

Our 25 year old son has fallen prey to the "Society". I say fallen prey, because we have only recently realized what a pernicious effect this group can have on young righteous minds. The son we know & love is practically gone. He no longer listens to any music but classical or Gregorian chant, goes out much in public for fear of mingling with "pagans", laughs or smiles much. His belief in "The Faith" as he calls it has just cost him fiancee whom he loved/loves very deeply. He is away from home, property of the US Navy for the next 5 years, and living with a roommate who is a raging fanatic. He is also under the influence of a commanding officer who spews this swill into his willing ear constantly.

Our family is in crisis. We feel helpless and are very concerned that we do not do or say anything that will force him closed to this group. We would be grateful for any help you could give us. Do you know of any disenchanted former members we could contact? Can you help us rebut these beliefs in a way that will get our son back? My husband and I are practicing Catholics, and were raised with and loved the Latin mass, but this is craziness.

Please help us if you can.

Thank you!

The preceding was the first letter I sent in my effort to help my son, our family and his ex-fiancee and her family. We would appreciate any help you could give us.

Specifically, do you have any information on the following people:

Fr. Ringrose
Fr. Hewko
Dr. David Allan White
Cdr. Matthew Childs, USN

Thank you for your time and prayers!

(name unknown)

Date: Fri, 27 Oct 2000
To: comments@sspx-schism.com
Subject: Schism website

Friends,

It is good to find the "other side" of the so-called Traditionalist position espoused by the SSPX. These folks claim to be faithful Roman Catholics yet are in clear disobedience of the Roman Church.

I had an opportunity to visit a chapel in my area (Metro-Detroit and surrounding cities) and was greeted with suspicion and even hostility from the Pastor and some of the faithful. It probably did not help that I came in clerics and announced my visit (along with the reason...to observe a High Mass from the 1962 Missal) to the Priest two days before. I had no intention of receiving the Blessed Sacrament in this chapel...only wanting the opportunity to observe the Liturgy and pray. I happen to pastor a fairly catholic-minded Anglican parish (otherwise known as "Anglo-Catholic") but unfortunately was accused of trying to convert the faithful of this SSPX chapel and also being a "protestant". Converting the faithful of another communion is not what I or the parish I pastor are about. As for the matter of being a protestant (which wasn't a compliment from the SSPX priest nor was it taken as one!) I remarked to a friend who knew some of the SSPX regarding this..."The pot should not be calling the kettle black!"

Well anyway...enough of my SSPX story.

In the friendship of Jesus and Mary,

(name withheld)

Date: Thu, 23 Dec 1999
To: comments@sspx-cult.com
Subject: Cult website

When are you going to update your web-site? Or, have the SSPX made threats towards it? There is information which needs to be made public about these people and the law, or whoever should be made aware of just what is going on....especially in the town of St. Marys, Kansas, which is in Pottawatomie county, half-way between Manhattan and Topeka, Kansas. The town looks absolutely horrible, with paint non-existant on the houses, as well as boarded up windows, and falling down foundations. These people thunder over the local citizens, totally ignore, or threaten them, and God only knows where the men/daddy's are...only the priest and lots of kids. There is abuse to tax-payers, as they all have food stamps, welfare checks, etc.....makes no sense, other than the fact that several years ago, rumors of the Freemen Group (as in Montana), and that some of the SSPX 'gang' was using the same tactics in purchase of property there. CHECK IT OUT, AND GIVE US SOME FEEDBACK!!!!!!! P-L-E-A-S-E!!!!!!!

(name unknown)

Date: Sun, 26 Mar 2000
To: comments@sspx-cult.com

Sspx is definitely a cult. I know. I attended a parish in XXX for 10 years.

(name withheld)

Date: Sun, 11 Jun 2000
To: comments@sspx-cult.com
Subject: Informative site

Dear madam / sir,

I am a visitor to your site. I found your site most informative. I am a Roman Catholic from xxxxx. I was curious about the SSPX as I read about Archbishop Lefebvre sometime back. When I did a search I found your site.

What can I say? I was stunned with the amount of information you put on the site and how well it was all arranged. I spent more than an hour going through your site. I have downloaded most of the pages for later reading.

I hope your site will continue to inform people and help members of SSPX to turn away from their error.

God bless.

(name withheld)

P.S: St Pius X is my patron saint!

Date: Thu, 30 Nov 2000
To: comments@sspx-schism.com
Subject: Re: Schism website

Thank you so much.........you have been more of a help than you will ever know. Your website opened the eyes of myself and my husband in regards to attending Mass at the SSPX for years. We had seen some things that bothered us, but actually, for the most part, it always seemed (and is I'm sure the Mass itself) a very reverent Mass. Never-the-less, after finding your website and doing mountains of research (I didn't stop there. It was just the beginning!), we began to realize that the Pope, in Rome, is who we need to be in line with. We decided it's simply much too complicated for us to be expected to make a decision in regards to whether or not the Pope is truly the pope. However, even though we now attend Mass at the FSSP, we still question the Novus Ordo Mass and still will only attend the Latin Mass. We are really quite saddened by all the turmoil in the church! Again, thanks so much for your website. Had I not stumbled across it we would never have questioned the truth. God bless you in your work.

(name withheld)

Date: Tue, 26 Dec 2000
To: comments@sspx-schism.com
Subject: Re: Letter to the website

Dear Sirs,

I successively saw things going wrong with different Conservative Catholic groups. Each rupture was hard and painful. Close ties are important for me and none are possible without close thinking. For the SSPX to join the former list and for me having to break with them seemed too bad and unbearable. I repressed many inner thoughts of disapproval because I feared that, if I paid closer attention to them, I might sin against humility and charity (which of cause, absolutely speaking, might have occurred) and uselessly lose peace of mind.

Sadly enough, the SSPX proved another Conservative Catholic group going wrong. And I have had to break with them.

They say and do loads of irresponsibilities which indicate poor judgment and mental chaos. I excused them on the grounds of their being persecuted. This might partly account for a certain deterioration of thought, but I'm afraid another, and probably a stronger reason, is to be found in defective instruction and defective leadership. Shall I again excuse defective instruction and defective leadership on the grounds of their teachers and leaders being persecuted?

I think this all boils down to a simple argument, based on the self-evident principle that God supports His own Will, in other words, if He wills free humans to do something, He shall most surely help them do it. The stronger the will, the greater the help. (What it is for God to help greatly is by the way a very interesting topic both for study and prayer). Meanwhile, free humans can reject God's help leading them to do something.

The following possibilities about SSPX present themselves:

1. Their call is God-willed, and they are substantially faithful to it.
2. Their call is God-willed, but they are substantially unfaithful to it.
3. Their call is not God-willed.

It is possible for either faithfulness or its contrary to be substantial, the opposite having to be merely accidental.

I somehow shudder at applying such cold and short judgments to Priests having an immortal soul and celebrating the Tridentine Mass. Their bad behavior forces me to take this quite unpleasant mental step.

They frighten and sadden me for themselves more than they frighten and anger me for myself. For their souls' sake, I hope as many as possible of them are substantially faithful to their call as SSPX Priests, or at least as Traditionalist Priests.

The events you describe are shameful, and I am not aware of any self-defense or apology coming from them.

I used to excuse them thus: "They do mistakes because they are under heavy strain, and they are under heavy strain because they preserve Tradition against unbearable opposition, which is a virtue. Therefore, to some extent, they do mistakes because they practice a virtue." But the mistakes became more numerous, more habitual, more established, and many seemed to be worse than mistakes, and there was not the least sign of alarm, self-criticism or self-reform.

A couple of years ago I read two pieces of criticism against the SSPX coming from the Sedevacantists which showed such bad faith and poor reasoning, that it strengthened my attachment to the SSPX. It was simplistic for me to get closer to the SSPX on those grounds. Indeed, for a person or a group to be wickedly attacked by wicked people is no sufficient warranty of their righteousness.

I have read your website. The more I think about it, the more I am shocked. This is a good time for people in my situation to increase devotion to the Guardian Angel and to Our Lord in the Blessed Sacrament. As for me, I shall also read a Traditional Latin Book on Heaven to get strength.

I only know you from your site. Your balance and poise gives me a good impression.

I hope this sandcorn brings you some relief. The many ugly letters from SSPX-supporters are very unpleasant but very enlightening.

This looks all dreary. Excuse me if the comparison is somehow frivolous, but it reminds me of Agatha Christie's "Ten Little Indians" where ten different people perish mysteriously one by one.

However, in the moral order, there is no such thing as "mysteriously perishing". The perversion of the free will is always the determining factor.

Redemption and Grace can and shall never be extinguished from the world by anybody or anything.

Love God much, very much, and be centred in Him through the Mediation of Our Blessed Lady. Maybe that is precisely what he wants from people He rescues out of many possible traps everywhere. Whoever gains Him, no matter what he loses, gains all.

In Iesu et Maria.

(name withheld)

To: <comments@sspx-schism.com>
Subject: Schism website - You were right
Date: Tue, 27 Feb 2001

Dear Mr. Thomson,
    A few months ago when I left the SSPX and started getting contacts from them asking me to come back, you said that they would continue to do so. Well, you were right. I am STILL getting mail, e-mails, etc. from them asking me to come back, why don't I go there any more, and so on. It's weird. I've never had this happen to me before. I hope it doesn't happen again. I wish they would leave me alone, but I don't think they will.
Take care,

(name withheld)

To: "John Thomson" <comments@sspx-schism.com>
Subject: Re: Schism website - You were right
Date: Wed, 28 Feb 2001

Dear Mr. Thomson,
    You are right again. They ARE a cult and I am sick of them. I am sorry that I ever went to their crummy little chapel. This has never happened to me in my life, and believe me, I have run the gamut of Protestant pretend "churches" before I saw the light and became Catholic. None of them ever kept after me like this. In that sense, the SSPX is even worse than fundamentalists.
Thanks for writing,

(name withheld)

To: <comments@sspx-cult.com>
Subject: Cult website
Date: Wed, 21 Mar 2001

Having spent years in a religious order affiliated to sspx, I find your website a necessary antidote to the fanaticism demonstrated by many society members. When Mgr Lefebvre  consecrated four bishops, I expressed my concerns and doubts to my mother superior, in consequence I was treated with both hostility and even cruelty. Soon after the consecrations, having decided my order, were perhaps in schism or held schismatic views, I left.

In retrospect, we were constantly told that as the chosen few we would save The Church and that there was no Pope in Rome. I feel it is important to mention this issue, as most of the Sspx members I frequented were covert sede vacantes, a view which was actively encouraged in my order.

I no longer practice my religion anymore, years of brainwashing have left me devoid of all interest in religion and Catholicism.

(no name given)

Letters against our position with respect to the SSPX

These are letters from those opposed to our position. In some cases, we have edited certain words where we did not think them fit to print.

This first letter is of particular interest, as it was written by a student from the SSPX high school in St. Marys, KS. As you can see, this person makes several spelling and grammatical mistakes, despite the education received at an SSPX school. We have edited some of the words used with ***, as well as editing out the names mentioned with XXX.

In Feb. 2001, this letter was brought to the attention of Fr. Angles, Rector of St. Mary's Academy and College in St. Marys, KS. After making an initial request for the name of the author of the letter below, he wrote us a second letter. In keeping with our policy of withholding names, we were unable to give Fr. Angles the name of the author of the letter below. To read both of the letters from Fr. Angles, click here.

Date: Wed, 26 Aug 1998
To: comments@sspx-schism.com
Subject: Schism website

No this is not XXX writing this letter, it's me XXXX. You should still remeber me. Anyways I still don't understand what position you three idiots stand behind. You two former seminarians know damm well that this is an attempt to pull people away from God. Do you not fear the consequences? If you had a problem with the parish priest that has escallated almost to a point of no return the dumbest thing you could do is prevent people from knowing the true church. Only f***ing idiots as yourselves could be so dumb. Too weak to damage someone so you try cheap shots. How could you be so dumb.
Cancun Mexico. True there may be some impure s**t that goes on their, but that doesn't mean the rest of the town is also not worth seeing. If that were the case every f***ing town you go to would be not worth living because people are dressing immodestly in the town. F***ing crazy I tell ya.>
Claiming to be mentally insane is such a cheap trick. The longer you pospone the more chances you are getting to clear your names. Okay so you don't like the parish priest. I admit we all have our faults look at you two; failures in life pathetic or no jobs and no friends, worst of all no church. May God have mercy on your sorry a**es. Just think about it you both know exactly what your doing, making the consequences worst for you if anyone is actually dumb enough to fall for your lines of s**t.
If you both were younger and we were all in grade school together I would have f***ing kicked you’re a**es hard by now. There you go a cheap chance to nail me with a something. That threat may not mean much since you claim to recieve them all the time. Consider this more than a chance to redeem yourselves in disguise. Being educated men as yourselves you should realise that the more humility it will take to turn around, the more merit. I highly doubt that many in this church will like to see you their but at least you will return to God's favor. Not that I care where you two idiots end up but I care about those who don't know and can still ba taught. Here is your chance.

(Name withheld)

The following letter refers to a previous letter that this same person sent us. We haven't included the first letter here, as it really is not fit to print. (Basically, we'd have to edit the entire thing with ***, and there wouldn't be much left to read). We're not sure who really sent both these letters, as in the second letter, shown below, the author claims to have used someone else's name, which we've edited out.

Date: Tue, 1 Sep 1998
To: comments@sspx-schism.com
Subject: you guys are idiots

You fools. If you really thought that message was from XXXXX, you're idiots. The truth is, it's not. I have nothing but contempt for all of you.

(Name unknown)

Date: Thu, 03 Dec 1998
To: comments@sspx-schism.com
Subject: Lefebvrephobia

I stumbled across your hate-filled website while researching material on the SSPX. I am astonished that such venomous attacks would be launched at such a saintly group. I guess I should not be surprised, however: Jesus's original group had one traitor out of twelve. Two disgruntled "friendly" ex-seminarians ( who left the seminary "voluntarily", we are told ) and one irrational former "parishioner" are a small number compared to the hudreds of thousands of devoted traditional Catholics attending SSPX chapels worldwide. You three purveyors of rumor and innuendo are not fit to shine the shoes of Archbishop Lefebvre and Bishop Williamson, no less follow in their footsteps. I take some solace in the fact that your websites are so obviously the result of minds grown psychotic by irrational hatred that any sane person will quickly see them for what they are: ranting rationalizations of personal shortcomings and psychological maladjustment directed at former father figures in your twisted lives.

(Name withheld)

Date: Sun, 13 Dec 1998
To: comments@sspx-schism.com
Subject: Schism website

I read the "who are we" part of your web page, but I still can't figure out who you are?
Maybe it is me, but it seems that your organization is very confusing, bitter, vindictive, and perhaps even jealous.
I have never seen so much energy put into being negative. No doubt that you do this in the name of God.
You remind me of the church leaders during the time that Christ walked, they were convinced He was the devil and a false prophet! They were confusing, bitter, vindictive and jealous too.
You also remind me of Judas, he was convinced that he could help by handing Christ over to what he thought was going to be a meeting designed to convince the jewish leaders of who Christ really was! Of which Christ tried to tell Judas to open your heart not your mind!
You would do well to remove the log from your own eye, and concentrate on self perfection, rather than worry about human intellectualism, better known as the spirit of man. Perhaps you feel you are providing some sort of service to mankind?!
The only thing you seem to be accomplishing is adding your little misery to great big pot of the reform's misery that began in 1517.

I have no doubt that if you respond to this email it will be either with negativism, sarcasm, or a warped sort of pity for my poor soul!

Strangely enough, I hope this note helps you! I was hoping to draw out something good and useful here at this web site, but I have no interest in dwelling on man's lower nature.

(Name withheld)

P.S. I liked the "why we don't give our mailing address" part of your web page. For someone who is interested in "healing" What good purpose could it serve to recall the ugly miserable lower human nature of man?

Date: Sat, 2 Jan 1999
To: comments@sspx-cult.com
Subject: Cult website

Just a comment!

It seems to me you have concentrated on individuals and their expirences and not so much on principles and doctrine!

(Name withheld)

Date: Thu, 4 Mar 1999
To: comments@sspx-cult.com
Subject: Cult website

Depuis and Thomson. Are you the two who wrote "Are Todays Seminaries Catholic?
If so! No doubt you are not satisfied where-ever you go. Now are you? What are.your problems? I might as well throw your book away. How can I trust the information in it?
It does not appear now that you two are very stable.

(Name withheld)

Date: Thu, 11 Mar 1999
To: comments@sspx-schism.com
Subject: Schism website

Now I know where the writers of " bevis and butt head" went to work after their show was taken off the air. God bless the SSPX and the saintly priests who are dedicated to defending the FAITH .... and you may quote me.

PO

[Note: The writer of the next two letters was so emphatic about not wanting his letters to be anonymous, that we have made sure to include his identity.]

Date: Sun, 04 Apr 1999
To: comments@sspx-schism.com
Subject: Tell me more!

Tell me more about how it is that you have time to write about this crap. What you guys need is a good kick in the a**! Get a life or leave this world - your content isn't worth the internet space it takes up...

TR
San Antonio, TX

Date: Sun, 04 Apr 1999
To: comments@sspx-schism.com
Subject: Just wondering...

Is it true your opinions of the SSPX hinged on the fact that you were kicked out of your own parish. And is it true that you were kicked out of your parish after it was found out that the two of you (John + Mike) were caught doing the horizontal hokey pokey?

Seems your views take on a very personal tone - personal to the point that your accusations have no foundations. Perhaps by getting real jobs (or real educations) you might find deeper meaning in your lives besides waking up for the sole purpose of packing each other's fudge.

The letters seem to have been written by boneheads just like yourselves. You and your supporters shame the very basic Godly principles through attrocious subjectivity. Name withheld?! I prefer to attribute it to cowardice.

I don't even belong to SSPX, but I can tell it was right of them to kick you two out.

TR
San Antonio, TX

[Note: In the following letter, the writer asks several questions which we answered in a reply sent to him. The questions and their answers can be found in our section: "Some Questions we've been asked." We've also included the letter below because the writer specifically asked us to.]

Date: Sun, 04 Apr 1999
To: comments@sspx-cult.com
Subject: Cult website

Why don't you publish the three letters written to the SSPS hierarchy? Is it perhaps because they aren't helpful to the case?

Also, why is it that everyone who has a personal problem with the society always ends up "proving" that the society is in schism? Didn't you deal with this issue when you investigated being a seminarian? Did something change between then and now?

I constantly see people leave the Society because they have been hurt by something someone has done. What they end up doing is justifying a personal situation via canon law. It appears that's what's being done here also.

Priests are human too. Through the grace of God they do the best they can. Why not pray for them rather than idict them? Isn't that what our Lord said to do?

I'd love to see this letter on your website. It would be the only one that doesn't give you glowing reviews. And one of the few with a name and address.

JD
San Antonio, TX

Date: Sat, 10 Apr 1999 18:37:44 -0400
To: comments@sspx-cult.com
Subject: Cult website

Dear sir,

Does not any church, including the Roman Catholic Church, meet the criteria for definition as a cult? Of course they do.

(Name withheld)

Date: Mon, 10 May 1999
To: comments@sspx-schism.com
Subject: SSPX In the Philippines

Dear website surfers of SSPX,

This is just to inform you that SSPX is growing in the Philippines and it cannot be stopped anymore. People are getting confused of what is going on with Novus Ordo, hence they are turning back to where they have been brought up by their great ancestors. You can contact the local Society through 632 7255926 and look for Father Griego or Father Onoda.

Do not be afraid coz you are not alone anymore. Just to update you, we are going to open a seminary in Ilo-ilo at the Visayas region, a school is soon to come as well. Let us pray for the spread of tradition. In Jesus, Mary and Joseph.

Your fellow Traditionalist

(Name withheld)

Date: Sun, 23 May 1999
To: comments@sspx-schism.com
Subject: Schism website

Gentlemen:

Get a life! You've built this entire Web site on Hate! Get over it-if only for your soul's sake. You sound just like you are just sour grapes. However you feel that the Society wronged you, it would be better if you just went on with your lives. As for Fr. Roberts, we don't miss you-sorry. Go on to doing the "Insult" Mass with one foot in the canoe of Tradition and the other in the canoe of Modernism. If you can sleep with yourself with such an intellectual enigma, well, God bless you.

Fellas, I don't find anything convincing in what you are saying. Are there bad priests in the Society? Well, you say so but I haven't run into them yet. Are any of them going to make mistakes? Yes, as long as there's Original Sin! For my soul's salvation, the Society is the answer. If you have a positive way of presenting an alternative-go for it. Just don't be part of the "White Persecution". God Bless You!

Yours in the Immaculate Heart of Mary,

(Name withheld)

Date: Tue, 15 Jun 1999 09:25:14 -0400
To: comments@sspx-cult.com
Subject: Cult website

I have been a part of the traditional movement within the Catholic Church for well over twenty-two years. I have seen and read much that is good and much that is bad.

Your website is so soaked in vitriol and hatred that, whatever facts you may present, they are not to be trusted.

You are too personally involved in this. Back off a few paces and see how ridiculous your website looks. It appeals to no one but those who already maintain an irrational hatred of the SSPX (I have met many of these). Refer back to your Rhetoric texts and see how lopsided your arguments, which you undoubtedly view as rational and reasonable, really are.

Your enmity towards the SSPX is based upon your personal experiences. As you may come to realize, it will have little or no effect upon those who do not share these experiences with you. I know well several of the priests and bishops you villify, and you are several miles "off base." To this you will form a reply from your personal experiences, or perhaps from the experiences others have shared with you. Oh, well!

Keep it up! It will turn your stomachs forever sour, and you will take to your graves the hardened indignation of how you were wronged. And for each soul that is turned away from the traditional Mass and Sacraments because of your vengeful need to vent your spleens, I hope that God will accept the "I was wronged!" justification.

In Christ the Eternal King,

(Name withheld)

Date: Wed, 30 Jun 1999
To: comments@sspx-cult.com
Subject: Cult website

I have read your website with great interest, but what disturbs me is that you concentrate on personal issues - these can and do happen in any group, not just the SSPX! My experience of the SSPX has been excellent and life-saving. They have brought me closer to God and the Catholic Faith.

Incidentally, those wanting the traditional Mass have no choice in my part of the world: the Bishops' Conference is adamantly opposed to any Indult and has added conditions making it impossible. So, here I am with the SSPX and very happy indeed.

(Name withheld)

Date: Fri, 9 Jul 1999
To: comments@sspx-schism.com
Subject: Schism website

If Vatican II was hosted by satan, and I firmly believe that the Holy Spirit was on vacation, then who is ANYONE to comment on the proceedings?

I am a communicant of The Chapel of XXX where Father Pazat is it's pastor.(SSPX)

We have built a beautiful new church and have a Catholic School so why would the founder of our faith provide such facilities if they are bad.

This thing with Traditional Catholics is becoming a circus. Fighting among ourselves instead of uniting and staying a part of the parent company (SSPX) for which all seem to acknowledge as "head of the class".

Is this all to be another reformation only this time among Catholic's themselves?

My opinion,

(Name withheld)

Date: Fri, 20 Aug 1999
To: comments@sspx-cult.com
Subject: SSPX cult????

I have a question.

Why is it that on your web site about the SSPX being a cult seems to be completely focused around a few incidents in Canada and one or two Priests.

http://www.sspx-cult.com/Cults3.htm
http://www.sspx-cult.com/Cults4.htm

Does the Catholic church not have most, if not all of the same characteristics of a cult? What about all so called Christians religions? Is there focus not on one?

These Characteristics of Cults and Cult Members can be applied to almost anything in the world. Apply them to your family. Dad= leader, Not Accountable to anyone in the family, Alway right...etc

And what about all of the business in the US? Are they not focused on one leader, he is always right... etc

It seems that you should not only list the SSPX but EVERY organized religion in the world!!! No?

Might I dare to assume that you or someone involved in this web site had dealings with Fr. Emily and that situation????

It appears that this web site was developed out of anger for one Priest and the way he acted. Granted that what he did might have been wrong, but to condem the SSPX as a whole for one mans actions is and has always been WRONG.

"Let he who is without sin cast the first stone."

(Name withheld)

Date: 4 Oct 99
To: comments@sspx-cult.com
Subject:

The authors of this web site would do well to read and follow the teachings of God. Start with the 8th commandment! I guess you would call the apostles cult members.

Our prayers will be with you,

(Name withheld)

Date: Tue, 7 Dec 1999
To: comments@sspx-cult.com
Subject: Cult website

Friend,

Some website. At the risk of making a mistake in a quicky post I will make a comment on your stuff. The only reason you have not been refuted is that you have not had a fair judge!!!! Otherwise you would find that you fit the true dictionary definition of "Fanatics". Look it up. First I heard of the "topless" fiasco. Shows how far your influence reaches!!! Are you aware that people take vacations to many cities? did you know that there are immoral people in your town? or NY or LA or Rome ? Guess what I'll bet they also have some nude places or worse there. BUT did you know they also have some holy catholics in many of the same places?? Next time you go on a trip you should try and apply your same thoughts to your actions. Now thats just an excuse. Maybe Cancun has some good places to. You don't have to frequent the public beaches. there are many secluded ones. All religions fit the dictionary definition of a cult. Sorry dude but you is a nut case. God have mercy on all of us and pray that we ALL make it to heaven. Just hope to many aren't lead astray by false and slanderous teachers. Nuff said.

(Name withheld)

PS - Putt knot yore trussed inn spell checkers.

Date: Thu, 9 Dec 1999
To: comments@sspx-schism.com
Subject: Schism website

You're searching for ways to discredit sspx, why? Are you bitter, or maybe it's the sin of pride. The sspx priest and bishops are validy ordained and have been perserving the faith of 2000 years, and since they are validly ordained they do have the power and authority of the church to adminster the sacraments and approve annulments which is probably zero or minimum. Are the priest, bishops perfect, no not at all, do they make mistakes ? Yes they do, this is the consequences of original sin, But we are one faith, one church, agreeing on the same principles in our fight for our catholic faith. I hope we can forgive our mistakes and pray for unity for all traditional catholics, or I should say Roman Catholics and built the Kingship of Christ the King together as the mystical body of Christ....Please pray for sspx and we will certainly Pray for you

(Name withheld)

Date: Mon, 13 Dec 1999
To: comments@sspx-schism.com
Subject: Schism website

Dear Sirs,

As comment on your website: I respect the work you did to figure all the facts out, but what is your point? What do you want to reach with this publication?

Excuse me for this perhaps unpolite comment, but there are many people giving a warm heart to the Society of St. Pius X. Here in Holland it is a very small number adhering to them, but it is really a community where many churches and society's can learn from.

Generally, I think you look to much at facts and canons, you seem to forget the common people after this facade.

Here in Holland, most adherents came together from the 1970's separtly in houses or small chapels. When they lost priests to serve them, they contacted the Society. Most people here aren't fundamentalist Lefebvrists, they just continue as they did before. I don't think you can change anything to that...

Sincerely,

(Name withheld)

Date: Wed, 22 Dec 1999
To: comments@sspx-schism.com
Subject: Schism website

I have to laugh at you and your web site. Having known the supposed Catholic priests of the modern church and having investigated ALL the options out there I know the truth. The web (no pun intended) of lies you have published here will indeed convince some of those out there who don't know how to research to find the truth. I find comfort in the knowledge that ultimately you and everyone associated with this web of lies will have to face The Good God and answer for this abomination.

Either you are innocent of deliberate wrong doing by virtue of insurmountable ignorance or you do have some sense of what you are doing here and are thereby culpable. Whatever the case is God forgive you for misleading so many people. The saints have told us for centuries that in the end there would only be a remnant left of the True Faith. They were not exaggerating.

(Name withheld)

Date: Fri, 31 Dec 1999
To: comments@sspx-schism.com
Subject: SSPX

"Beware of false prophets who come to you in the clothing of sheep, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. By their fruits you shall know them."

Your comments are mainly based on isolated incidents. That is fine if you feel it is strong enough to discredit something that is so much greater than one or two incidents. Every segment, every possible division in life has signs of original sin, it is up to those who bare true faith to realize right from wrong not to take a handful of incidents and display such a disrespect for something that we all know is true. If for any reason you are wrong with what you have said, not only will it present some serious problems upon the entering of Gods kingdom, but also it presents a waste of your time, all the effort taken to discredit someone and something, get a life. If you are a true defender of the Catholic Church than you will not criticize, you will only defend based on any fear of a falling church. By the sound of your opinions, you feel threatened by the SSPX so you are willing to go out of your way to publish any incidents that may occur in the church, even if you do not have any real grounds to support them.

It sounds like guilt to me, and it sounds as though you may still have some ties to the SSPX, or you would have just turned your back on it, like most people do when they no longer care about anything anymore. My suggestion to you is to stop taking up Web space with stuff that really is not going to have any affect on the faithful, and do some research on how much the SSPX has grown within the last five years, obviously your web page has no effect.

Thank you, God Bless You, and may you be enlightened to truth through faith.

(name unknown)

Date: Wed, 23 Feb 2000
To: comments@sspx-schism.com
Subject: Schism website

Dear Sir,
I am sure glad that I have gone to the chapels of the SSPX before coming across your web site. With all the heavy sander that you dish out I surely would have believed it and avoided the SSPX.

What is it that you are trying to do? Surely conversion is not in your plans since one does not blow out of porportion the mistakes of someone while trying to convert them. So you must be bent on destruction.

Why do you want to destroy the good reputation of the SSPX? You brought up the Cancun trip and the annulments. I must say, you handled the story of the Cancun trip with all the tact of a cheap tabloid magazine so I won't even go into that. That leaves the annulments, is that really a big enough issue for you to be chasing people away from the sacraments , I think not..

I have had the good fortune of being able to travel to many of the chapels around the country of the SSPX. I have met many good priest and many wonderful families. I sure hope your terrible slander doesn't chase more away or discourage those that are looking for the truth.

You will have a big mess to fix when you come to your senses .

(Name withheld)

Date: Thu, 30 Mar 2000
To: comments@sspx-cult.com

Dear Gentlemen,

I recently came across your web site. A few remarks. First of all, you should realize something.
The criticisms you make, concerning the Society, can be made against any organization. Let us consider the Roman Catholic Church ala Novus Ordo. How many pedophile priests have gone about their dirty work under the jurisdiction of a bishop who looks the other way? How many cases of pedophilia have been covered up by the "official" Roman Catholic Church only to be discovered at a later date? How many ecclesiastical offices have been bought over the last thousand years? How many clerics have murdered, threatened or blackmailed in order to hide secrets or obtain certain favors or goods?

I have worked in [section withheld to help preserve the writer's anonymity] for 30 years. During this time, I have witnessed kickbacks, malpractice, and all sorts of unethical practices done in the name of money. I have watched doctors cover up evidence on other doctors. Does Modern Medicine, then, qualify for CULT STATUS in your book? What about the Roman Catholic Church? It has always threatened and excommunicated dissidents with eternal damnation. Does this qualify as CULT ACTIVITY?

Every organization, the Church included, which is made up of sinful human beings, will have plenty of dirty laundry. That you should concentrate on moral failings of human beings, instead of the doctrinal foundations that the Society rests upon, shows that your work is based upon revenge instead of good will. If you want to argue the point of schism, concerning the Society, good for you!
Whenever you concentrate on the failings of human beings in order to discredit an organization, SHAME ON YOU!

I read some of the letters, from ex Society devotees, which support your cult accusation. The claim, that they wish to keep their names anonymous out of fear, makes me suspicious of their motives from the start. I have lived in Saint Marys Kansas for 10 years. This is one of the largest and closest knit community within the Society. If I left because of some terrible wrongdoing, I would not be afraid to sign my name to any letter making known my complaints.

No, Gentlemen! I don't buy your disclaimer that you're not against the Society. I also don't buy your charitable request for prayers. Stick to the doctrinal argument, and I'll give you the benefit of the doubt.

Sincerely in Christ,

(Name withheld)

[Note: Most of the people who write to us don't tell us to keep their names anonymous out of fear. We have made the decision to withhold the names of anyone who writes to us, unless they tell us to include their name.]

Date: Mon, 08 May 2000
To: comments@sspx-schism.com
Subject: Schism website

Fr. Rizzo,

After all that you went back to the Novus Ordo? I saw you marry someone in Mukwonago in 1993. Didn't know you at all. Rumor was that you were just getting out of the SSPX. Did not know what an SSPX was, or why its non-mandated episcopating made them schismatic. I grant you that--they are a cult.

Had you ever considered that the SSPX was the same as the Novus Ordo in that they are both infested with Cursillo and controlled by the Teilhardian Omega religion? The same Teilhard that JPII is so enamored of?

Perhaps your next investigation should take you into the deep and dark filth of Opus Dei, JPII's favorite secret society, from which the RENEW was born, and which produces the Cursillo "evolving" brainwashed persona.

You were not so lucky either. Methinks thou dost protest too much.

(Name withheld)

Date: Thu, 15 Jun 2000
To: comments@sspx-cult.com
Subject: You're Great Guys!

Thanks for the great humor on your website. It made an otherwise so-so day end on a light note befitting the full moon that shines this evening. I even faintly (ever so) imagined the Society lying awake at night, thrashing about in terror, fretting the next attack on their ecclesial authority, essential integrity, and cannonical well being. This thanks to a wealth of information, doubtless, from mind that're, no doubt, Gregorian trained - or is it Angelicum?

'Twas thoughtful, too, to inform that Cancun, that tiny Mexican hamlet, by reason of geography alone, is the gateway to Hades. Hell, I've known that ever since I got skunked fishing there in the 1980's. Everyone knows they're no fish where Jesus ain't and there sure ain't no fish where there topless bathers flop all over the place. (Were you referring to male topless, femaletopless, or both - the site is unclear, but each affects fishing to one degree or another.) Bene! Quod erat demonstratum!

Certainly, if Paul'd been able to avail himself of your most excellent commentaries, I'm sure he'd have avoided Corinth like the plague; and, what you could've written about testicular worshiping sybarities there is only conjectural - but interestingly so, given the tenor or your site and its ad hominem approach to your former vocations. Here's my suggestion: Write the Bishop of Cancun, and all other costal cities in the world, as a matter of face, and ask for a mass evacuation of the faithful. That weay they're never be any danger of misguided lotteries to Hell - a no lost souls on the costs of the world. It's the only responsible thing to do, salvifically speaking.

Gentlemen, you wouldn't be half as amusing if you hadn't convnced me you were serious. The turning point was your self-falgellatting accounts of how your seminary training turned some very good men into very bad ones - now cut those hand off! Yours was a very fine bit of Runyonesque, Dadaistic-Reverse logic of the tyoe Voltaire would've been proud to claim as his own! You're straight out of one of his works, but don't tell anyone that (he's on the INDEX!!!!)

Love and Kisses,

Bemused

(real name unknown)

Date: Fri, 16 Jun 2000
To: comments@sspx-cult.com
Subject: Cult website

There is one thing all people who leave SSPX have in common. They are starved for consolations, kindness and understanding. The rigors of the traditional priestly life are compounded because they deny themselves the liberality that surrounds them. Outside their small group, there is abundance. Outside their little group, there is rugged individualism. And outside and within their group is an air that is permeated with modernism.

They are trying to preserve the high altar and the very nature of that endeavor will trigger fierce attacks by a more patent and brazen form of heresy - modernism, to say nothing of the outright pagans who fuel it. Unfortunately, most of these poor men have grown up in a modernist environment themselves, which itself weakens and ill-prepares them for their difficult priestly lives. They walk a tightrope, there is no doubt, and my heart goes out to them.

I know that Catholic tradition is the way, even though my life does not conform to it. I am XXXXX weaned on the modernist heresy, and I am very aware of the struggle to live and abide by Catholic tradition. I acknowledge the truths of tradition, and I wish to adhere to them, although I will confess that "traditionalists" can be very hard to bear, and I often want to disengage from them. I am always involved in a self-examination because I am not sure if it is because of my own weaknesses that I try so hard to search out theirs. It is very hard to know the difference, and I am sympathetic to the priests who have left.

To be a traditionalist priest, one risks losing his charity and falling into despair, and it is not only that, but the struggle to know what true charity is in a society that is almost completely artificially constructed. There is very little left that is natural in the world. Even our laws which once reflected the natural law are being slowly dismantled. Is there a place for true charity in an artificially constructed society which by its very design was to render charity moot?

The suffering of those priest are very real, but unrecognized even by those who follow them. There is no doubt in my mind that Archbishop LeFebvre suffered untold suffering for the Church, and it is a suffering that is completely unrecognized by the world. He is schismatic. He is excommunicated. He is a cult leader. We are a blind and callous people not because he is right, but because we cannot see the horrible suffering that was his life. There was not even the consolation of his peers, who all deserted him.

Be that as it may, any person who accepts the Archbishop's conclusions, just because he said it, is a fool, as even the Archbishop, I am sure, would readily concede. His writings which explain his actions in such detail are evidence that he would not expect anyone to blindly follow him.

Recognizing the weaknesses of the SSPX, I am still grateful for their existence and hope that for all their troubles, which I am sure are many, they will be able to continue to hold on. They are engaged in a heroic act of stamping out or at least holding at bay a virulent heresy while they themselves are choking on it because it is a heresy which permeates the very air they breathe.

There is no doubt in my mind that those priests must suffer from a great spiritual dryness and from time to time with a temptation to despair. There must be little left at the end of a day, when on top of this great battle, they must also endure and bear the personal faults of each other. Spiritual suffering. Dry and unconsolable spiritual suffering. Poor men.

Under any circumstances, and especially under these circumstances and in his climate, I am sure that Archbishop LeFebvre would understand completely the decision of those priests to leave the Society, and would not fault them for their decision.

I hope that the Society priests, those that left and those that stayed, will hold up the light of the one true faith as a guide for so many of us prodigal sons who long to come home to the Most Holy Sacrifice of the Mass.

(Name withheld)

Date: Thu, 31 Aug 2000
To: comments@sspx-cult.com
Subject: Cult website

I Just wanted to say That I started attending SSPX and I am very satisfied with it. Well, I can tell you can find many corruptions in the novus church also. Nobody is perfect. And the Catholic church was never perfect. I do not feel any pressure from anyone but I guess it might also depend on the priest and the area. Not every priest is bad or against the novus church. So Please evaluate everyone not just mentally disturbed people.

For example, in my old Novus church I was constantly pressured by people in every aspect. And Only because I could not give money to the church they were denying to let me get confirmed. SSPX has never done anything like that and they said all my sacraments are valid even if they weren't done at their church.

But at least your research was professional and I thank you for that.

(Name withheld)

Date: Thu, 26 Oct 2000
To: comments@sspx-cult.com
Subject: Cult website

My dear friends,

It is such a shame that your minds are so clouded. May God have mercy on your soul for your attacks on this priestly organization.

(Name withheld)

Date: Thu, 23 Nov 2000
To: comments@sspx-cult.com
Subject: Cult

Your logic is flawed. A person does not have to be "bad" to be in error, either before or after going to a SSPX seminary. Also, you will never find a perfect society on earth. To condemn the SSPX because of your arguments makes you look silly and vendictive.

Truth doesn't change. Tradition isn't "living" in the sence that it can change, which is what the modernists preach. One must hold fast to the truth, and to the true sence of tradition, for salvation. The society upholds that truth, that tradition. That is the Society of St. Pius X, and they are not a cult.

(Name withheld)

[Note: Both this letter and the one that follows it were written by the same person, who insisted in the second letter to us that we include her name along with the letter.]

Date: Thu, 30 Nov 2000
To: comments@sspx-cult.com
Subject: Cult website

You people are really wacko. And its apparent you DO have an ax to grind! Get on with your lives and MAYBE God will forgive you. But He certainly won't if you continue this slander!

If any one is cultish, its you guys.

Iva J. Scheidemantel

Date: Thu, 30 Nov 2000
To: comments@sspx-cult.com
Subject: Cult website

I am extremely upset after having read your blatant lies regarding Fr. Jean-Yves Cottard.

My daughter lives in France and has kept abreast of the religious persecution Fr. Cottard has experienced at the hands of the communist/socialist French government and Novus Ordo (New Order) catholics there, because he is a Traditional Catholic (NOT a cultist).

EVERYTHING you wrote and the communist papers you quoted are blatant lies! And it all started with the EX-wife of the fisherman who died trying to save lives of the scouts. Only in France could someone's EX-wife sue for money in a civil court. Fr. Cottard was found innocent of any responsibility, for one, as contrary to your lies, there WAS NO bad weather forcast for that day. The gale that came up was totally unexpected & it was proven in court.

But the religious persecutors over there then convinced the government to press criminal neglect charges against Fr. Cottard. ONLY IN FRANCE! Or other socialist countries.

The fact that you people won't print the names of any of your so-called supporters who supposedly write you, is another indication of your ficticious stories. Anyone who reads and believes your lies, are brain dead!

I dare you to print this in your letter section, along w/those no-name ones you've fabricated. And I dare you to print my name, because you are too lilly-livered to print ANY TRUTH or the name of any REAL PERSON who tell the TRUTH!

I pity you, two. But I rejoice in the fact that, unless you change your spiteful, revengeful ways, God's punishment will be most appropriate for you.

Sincerely,

Iva J. Scheidemantel

Date: Thu, 4 Jan 2001
To: comments@sspx-cult.com
Subject: Cult website

I do not know who you people are or what you really think you are doing, but , if you really believe in God you should cease it immediately otherwise you are surely headed for HELL for eternity , ..... Do you realise just what forever means?
   A concerned SSPX Catholic.

To: comments@sspx-cult.com
Date: Thu, 01 Feb 2001

Hello,

I look at your site only to see what others think of us, and I find a bunch of twisted and manipulated accounts of events. I'd like to know who feeds you this information, because whoever it is obviously twists it themselves because they too are against us. You go on as if nothing wrong ever happens to anyone but us. The devil attacks and persecutes the ones who are on the right track. He doesn't need to attack you people in any way- he's already got you, so he'll leave you at peace in your error.

"In the letters against: Many of our opponents threaten us, ridicule us, or call us names. This behaviour is typical of members of a religious cult. "
This is the most ridiculous thing I've ever read! That behaviour is also typical of ANYONE who has their culture bashed.

You set it all out so professionally, so convincingly, but you will not convince people unless they are LOOKING to be convinced.

(Name withheld)

The following letters from Fr. Angles, Rector & Headmaster of St. Mary's Academy & College in St. Mary's, Kansas, are the result of a letter we received in August 1998. The author of that letter claimed to be a student of St. Mary's Academy and College, and the comments of the letter were definitely not favourable to our position. To read that letter, click here.

In this first letter, Fr. Angles requests the name of the author of the letter of August 26, 1998.

From: "St. Mary's College"
To: <comments@sspx-cult.com>
Subject: Your website information.
Date: Mon, 5 Feb 2001

Dear Sir/Madam,

I have been made aware of your website's publishing a letter allegedly "written by a student from the SSPX high school in St. Marys, KS," http://sspx-schism.com/Letters.htm

Since your ironic comments and the lamentable letter reflect poorly on St. Mary's Academy, I will appreciate your sending me the name or email of the author, in order to verify personally the authenticity of this information.

Sincerely in JMJ,

Rev. Ramon Angles
Rector & Headmaster
St. Mary's Academy & College
200 East Mission St.
St. Mary's, Kansas 66536

This letter from Fr. Angles, Rector & Headmaster of St. Mary's Academy & College in St. Mary's, Kansas, follows the letter posted above, and was received by us after we informed Fr. Angles that we would be able to give him the name of the author of the letter of August 26, 1998, if the author consented to having their name disclosed.

From: "St. Mary's College"
To: "John Thomson" <comments@sspx-schism.com>
Subject: RE: Your website information.
Date: Thu, 8 Feb 2001

Dear Mr. Thomson,

Thank you so much for your prompt reply.

I understand the caution and I think your approach is the best.

Let us now see who this "student from St. Mary's" is. To be perfectly honest, I am convinced that the letter was sent by someone who wanted to make us look bad. I cannot imagine any of our students, graduates, or friends debasing themselves in such manner.

Sincerely in JMJ,

Father Angles

(Note: In keeping with our policy of withholding names, we were unable to give Fr. Angles the name of the author of the letter in question.)

To: <comments@sspx-cult.com>
Subject: Cult website
Date: Tue, 20 Feb 2001

    It is my opinion that you and all those who helped with this website do NOT know what you are talking about.  The Society is not a cult in the context that you are referring to.  Maybe they stand out in the world as freaks and weirdos because they are firm in what they believe, unlike the remainder of Catholics who are a bunch of wishy-washy spineless individuals.  Of course they do not think that their leaders are incapable of wrong or other such nonsense.  And it is ridiculous to cite such examples of wayward priests as prime examples of their priests.  I could name quite a few popes who were anything but exemplary but that does not make them examples of the majority of the popes. And for your information, the Holy See has been in contact with SSPX leaders trying to "make things right" between them and the Society.  Now that doesn't sound like anything they would be saying to a "wayward cult" does it?  Don't get me wrong, I do not think that the Society is infallible, but I believe they were and STILL ARE doing the work of God in the world.  I do not believe they are THE Church, but are going to be the mainstay of the Church until it gets back on its feet.

    I realize you may be publishing what you think is true and correct, but all you are doing is leading people away from Traditionalism and the True Faith and giving them an excuse to accept the modern Church.  I pray you may re-think what you have written and SUPPORT those trying to be Catholic in a world going rapidly to hell.

(name withheld)

To: comments@sspx-schism.com
Subject: SSPX
Date: Fri, 02 Mar 2001

+

To whom it may concern,

I'm an ordinary lay person, grew up in a country where the people are mostly catholic, and finished my studies in a private catholic school.  I know  and I can uderstand that the SSPX are true Roman Catholics.  Why would they go on and fight for what they believe is right if all they would get is persecution?  They are the most courageous genuine catholic religious I've ever discovered.  If things don't change back to what has been in the Catholic church for centuries, in the next 40 years, you won't be able to distinguish what is catholic and not.  The vatican are so into niceties with other religions, but they won't even listen and consider those who are more more catholics than they are.  The SSPX will go on and preserve everything that is catholic, even up to the point of martyrdom.  Anyway, the purpose why I wrote you is because I think you need to clean up your website.

In Christ,

(name withheld)

To: comments@sspx-schism.com
Subject: Schism website
Date: Fri, 13 Apr 2001

Did Not Christ Say You Are Either With Me Our Against Me?

Whose Side Are You On , And Have You Ever Considered The Damage You Are Doing To The Catholic Faith by This WebSite?

No one is fighting for the Tradional Catholic Faith more than The SSPX Society.

You attempt to use laws the way the jews used the laws to kill Christ.

Perhaps with websites like this you should link a site for those who hate Catholism. Then at least you will not decieve the people.

Why Dont You Post My Letter So You Can Show Other People Most People Really Think About Sites Like This.

By This Site You Make Yourselves Enemies Of God and His Catholic Church. Is This Your Goal?

(name withheld)

To: <comments@sspx-schism.com>
Subject: Schism website
Date: Mon, 16 Apr 2001

Question:  Do you not realize that by declaring the Novus Ordo Mass to be invalid you are YOURSELVES in schism?

You claim that you know better than the Pope, the Magisterium, and all of the Bishops and Priests. This is exactly what the SSPX has done, selectively choosing which forms of worship it considers to be correct and incorrect.  Ergo, the entire is schismatic.   You and all of the people who work with you on the site, by saying that the Novus Ordo Mass is invalid, are guilty of the same error. Ergo, YOU are schismatic.

You make a very weak argument that most of the bishops are anathema. This is so completely unfounded and incredibly generalized, it's STUPID. You claim that one is free to worship with "individual" priests, or even SSPX ones, because the bishops have been excommunicated? That is INCORRECT. That is SSPX, ultra-traditional, schismatic-style logic. Catholics agree that SSPX Masses DO NOT even fulfill the Sunday obligation.

Please come back to the Church. We're praying for you.

Sincerely,
(name withheld)