The SSPX says it is faithful to Rome while rejecting Rome’s judgment.

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The Society of St. Pius X says it is faithful to Rome. But when Rome warns, pleads, corrects, and finally acts, the SSPX rejects the judgment and continues on its own course.

In this episode, T.J. Haines responds to the SSPX’s rejection of the Vatican’s excommunication decree following its unauthorized episcopal consecrations. The issue is not merely liturgical preference, nor is it a simple matter of “traditional Catholics” being mistreated by Rome. The deeper problem is false fidelity: professing loyalty to the Church while refusing the authority of the Church when that authority becomes inconvenient.

T.J. walks through Rome’s repeated efforts to reconcile with the SSPX across decades, from John Paul II and Benedict XVI to Pope Francis and now Pope Leo. He also explains why the SSPX’s old-school seriousness contains something the wider Church could benefit from — if only it were brought back into full communion rather than preserved in defiance.

This episode also marks the relaunch of The Forge at TheForge.fm, and explains how FireBranded and The Forge will continue to work together without becoming the same thing.