Dear friends in the Catholic Charismatic Renewal (CCR), this post is for you.
Because some of you are taking the Society of St. Pius X (SSPX) and its programmes a bit too seriously. Founded in 1970, SSPX claims to be Catholic but does not accept Catholic teaching—especially anything taught since Vatican II. They bizarrely believe worship should be offered only in the Latin language, oppose ecumenism and in general, shun any kind of progress.
Why the CCR and the SSPX are completely incompatible
Purely because of what SSPX believes and teaches about the CCR. Let’s look at the most important stuff.
1. On the Baptism in the Holy Spirit
CCR: The Baptism in the Holy Spirit or BHS as it’s popularly known is the doorway into Charismatic spirituality, by which a person receives the life-transforming presence and power of the Holy Spirit.
SSPX: The BHS is “obviously a mockery of the sacrament of Confirmation…”, “a sin” and a result of “heretical worship” (How about that worship leaders?)
2. On the gift of tongues
CCR: The gift of tongues is a a legitimate gift of the Holy Spirit, similar to what we read about in the book of Acts.
SSPX: “Either one of two explanations seems probable: that the subject really wills—perhaps unconsciously—to perform this act because of group dynamics (or mass hysteria) or that his utter relaxation of the will leaves him open to a true manifestation of the “spirit”—and not the Holy Spirit! Speaking a language one does not understand is a classic sign of diabolical possession, after all.”
Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit, anyone?
3. On other charismatic gifts
CCR: Charisms are gifts of the Spirit used to gather, sanctify, edify and minister life in the Church and in the world.
SSPX: “Prophecies, healings, miracles, etc., were given [in Apostolic times only] to prove the claims of the Church and to foster conversions. With the achievement of the Church’s moral universality, the need for such phenomena ceased for several reasons, primarily because of the presence in the Church of people of every nationality and because of the Church’s proven record as the true religion, short though it was.”
According to the SSPX, God no longer needs to perform signs and wonders. Maybe they should visit the Middle East/Africa to understand how universal Christian morality really is.
4. What else does SSPX teach about charismatic spirituality?
Still not convinced? Check this out:
“The CCR as a whole is not a Catholic movement at all but a deception of the Devil.”
“Charismatics’ beliefs and practices are undeniably based in heresy,”
“The Catholic Charismatic Movement is a blighted tree bearing poisonous fruit, sown by the Devil… This fruit is truly a seed of destruction and one of the most perilous fruits offered to man since the first fruit offered to the first Eve by the same serpent.”
Need I say more?
So, if you are a charismatic Christian, according to the SSPX, you are a sinner, heretic and probably possessed by the devil.
There is no disclaimer in the SSPX site that this article is not their official position, therefore it must be.
Bottom line: you can either be in the CCR or the SSPX—there’s just no way to swim in both oceans.
