[Question:]{.underline} Can I attend social activities organized by Motu proprio organizations?
[Answer:]{.underline} A motu proprio organization is a group, such as those attached to the Ecclesia Dei Commission (e.g. FSSP), which accepts the opinions of Benedict XVI in his letter accompanying the publication of the motu proprio. These opinions are firstly that the traditional rite is just one form of the same Roman rite, that the New Mass is the ordinary form, that consequently the New Mass is just as good (at the very least) as the traditional Mass, that it does not destroy the Faith, that in fact “the two forms of the usage of the Roman rite can be mutually enriching,” and that “the Missal of Paul VI can unite parish communities.” They accept likewise that “fidelity to the old Missal” cannot be “an external mark of identity,” as it is “in the movement led by Archbishop Lefebvre,” and that most assuredly it cannot call into question the authority of Vatican II. All this is explicitly stated by Benedict XVI.
I do not believe that any of the faithful who attend Masses celebrated by the priests of the Society of Saint Pius X would be willing to believe any of these false opinions. It is why they will not attend Masses celebrated in virtue of the motu proprio but will support the priests who derive their right to celebrate the traditional Mass from St. Pius V’s Quo Primum.
But why could not such persons attend social occasions organized by such groups, such as dances, card nights, sport meetings and the like? There is no question here of liturgical acts. My answer is that just as it is perfectly licit and good to associate with such Catholics in secular or public life, for we have very much in common with them, so also is it dangerous to participate in their own social activities. The danger of indifferentism as to the differences in our doctrinal positions is very great, especially given the similarity in the appearances of our churches.
Moreover, the differences go beyond these simple questions of principle in the present crisis in the Church. They profoundly influence our spiritual life. Whereas, as traditional Catholics, we insist on the importance of modesty of dress, the observance of the traditional precepts of the Church, an interior life of penance and self-sacrifice, the same cannot generally be said of such motu proprio groups and organizations that have adopted the laissez-faire attitude of the post-conciliar church. The grave danger that could arise from friendships that might develop into marriage escapes no one. Such marriages would either be homes characterized by indifference or characterized by the differences of opinion that cause so much strife in mixed marriages.
Consequently, if we are very glad that the motu proprio groups exist, and if we are very happy that persons who once were in the Novus Ordo now attend and support them, and if we even encourage acquaintances who might be in such groups, we cannot ourselves support them, even indirectly by attending their functions.
Answered by Father Peter Scott, SSPX.