Sacramental Life: Practical Guidelines for Sedevacantists

In our previous article, we addressed the lawful reception of the sacraments during the vacancy of the Apostolic See. Given the significance of the matter, we deemed it necessary to publish this follow-up article, offering the faithful practical guidance on the subject.

I. Errors that all Sedevacantists must avoid

1. Sacramentalist errors

a) Denying the necessity of a canonical mission for legitimate ministry.

The Council of Trent condemns with anathema those who deny this revealed truth:

'If anyone says that…those who have been neither rightly ordained nor sent by ecclesiastical and canonical authority, but come from a different source, are lawful ministers of the word and of the sacraments: let him be anathema.' (Council of Trent, Sess. 23, Can. 7; D. 960)

b) Using epikeia or supplied jurisdiction as a substitute for a canonical mission: 

Epikeia does not apply to Divine law, and dogmas admit no exceptions. While supplied jurisdiction may render the administration of the sacraments valid and licit, it does not confer the status of a lawful pastor of the Catholic Church.

2. Non-sacramentalist errors

a) Denying the possibility of supplied jurisdiction in all cases.

The Church can supply jurisdiction in cases of common error or doubt (Canon 209) and in danger of death (Canon 882).

3. Common errors of both groups

a) Claiming that all bishops defected in 1958.

Such a scenario is impossible and heretical, as it denies the indefectibility and apostolicity of the Church.

'I firmly hold, then, and shall hold to my dying breath the belief of the Fathers in the charism of truth, which certainly is, was, and always will be in the succession of the episcopacy from the apostles.' (Saint Pius X, Oath against Modernism)

b) Asserting that the Church could survive solely with supplied jurisdiction,  thus denying the necessity of a living hierarchy with ordinary jurisdiction.

In Mortalium Animos, Pope Pius XI taught that there will always be a teaching authority with ordinary jurisdiction governing the faithful: 

'…The Church of Christ must be visible and apparent, at least to such a degree that it appears as one body of faithful, agreeing in the same doctrine under one teaching authority and government.' (Pius XI, Mortalium Animos, n. 6)

II. Practical consequences

We may now draw some practical conclusions regarding the reception of the sacraments from traditionalist clergy:

1. Canon law allows the faithful to receive sacraments from excommunicated ministers (non vitandus or unsentenced) for any just cause under certain conditions (Canon 2261, §2):

• Exceptions allow the faithful to request Sacraments and sacramentals from an excommunicated minister (not a vitandus or under a condemnatory/declaratory sentence) for any just cause (e.g., promoting devotion, avoiding temptation, or convenience) in the following cases:
• If no other minister is available, the excommunicated minister may administer them licitly.

2. Acts of jurisdiction are valid and may be licit if requested by the faithful per Canon 2261, §2:

• Acts of jurisdiction (external or internal forum) by excommunicated persons are illicit. However:
• If a condemnatory or declaratory sentence has been issued, such acts are also invalid, except as provided in Canon 2261, §3.
• If no such sentence exists, acts of jurisdiction are valid and may be licit if requested by the faithful per Canon 2261, §2.

3. The faithful themselves should decide whether they have a good reason to go to such ministers: 

Any reason that helps them grow in devotion, avoid sin, or is simply a matter of real convenience can be considered acceptable.

4. However, as these ministers are not lawful pastors, the faithful are under no obligation to receive the sacraments from them.

REFERENCES

Bachofen, Dom Charles Augustine, O.S.B., D.D. A Commentary on the New Code of the Canon Law. 8 vols. St. Louis, MO; London: B. Herder Book Co., 1918.

Codex Iuris Canonici (1917). Rome: Typis Polyglottis Vaticanis, 1917.

Miaskiewicz, Francis Sigismund. Supplied Jurisdiction According to Canon 209: An Historical Synopsis and Commentary. Washington, D.C.: The Catholic University of America, 1940.