If Bishop Richard Williamson really is expelled from the Society of St. Pius X, he may well set up his own organization and take some people with him, as our news story suggests.But that won’t keep the SSPX from being hoist with its own petard. Williamson has ample precedent for claiming the necessity defense and declaring that, no matter what anybody says, he remains a faithful bishop in the SSPX and in the Catholic Church.
Indeed, if Williamson, after being expelled, were to continue to claim he is either a faithful member of the SSPX or a faithful member of the Church, this would serve only to demonstrate once again the bankruptcy of the position of the SSPX with respect to the Catholic Church.
It will also demonstrate the Protestant-like separatism inherent in all movements which refuse to accept and obey the authority of the Vicar of Christ.
The need to deal with Williamson ought to give the SSPX pause, prompting it to flee back to Rome for its very life.