Q. If I were in an area where the only Mass available was a Latin Mass celebrated by a priest of the Society of St. Pius X, would I be obligated to attend that Mass in order to fulfill my Sunday obligation? -- S.M., Michigan

 

A. Responding to a similar question in 2003, Msgr. Camille Perl, secretary of the Ecclesia Dei Commission, the Vatican group charged with making sure that the Tridentine Latin Mass is made available for celebration by priests who are not in schism, said that “in the strict sense you may fulfill your Sunday obligation by attending a Mass celebrated by a priest of the Society of St. Pius X.” He added, however, that “we cannot recommend your attendance at such a Mass.” The reason for this position is that, while Masses of the Society are valid if they are celebrated by validly ordained priests, they are illicit, that is, contrary to Church law because the SSPX has not been in full communion with the Roman Pontiff since 1988 and its priests are suspended from exercising their priestly functions.