On July 23, Church Militant published an article written by a freelance writer by the name of James Baresel under the title, Is the SSPX Sheltering a Sexual Predator?
As the article makes plain, the question posed in the title is purely rhetorical, at least insofar as Baresel is concerned. Evidently, it is his and CMTV’s opinion that the so-called “predator” in question (Fr. James McLucas, a suspended diocesan priest who is neither a member of the Society of St. Pius X nor occupies any permanent position therein) is in fact being “sheltered” by the SSPX.
Well, not really sheltered, you see; that was just click bait.
In the back-and-forth that ensued between the SSPX and CMTV following the initial article, it appears that Church Militant is accusing the Society of nothing more than allowing Fr. McLucas to “occasionally help” them.
I’ll leave it to readers to review the articles under discussion to determine for themselves whether and to what extent mistakes may have been made by the Society. The truth is the truth, and people of good will are necessarily motivated see it brought out into the full light of day, no matter what it is.
As for what motivates CMTV in this case, they aren’t fooling anyone, save perhaps for Michael Voris’ army of groupies; an emotional faction largely comprised of weak men and middle-aged women who are quick to pounce on any perceived slight of their hero.
Even though CMTV and Voris seem to have found their “sweet spot” in reporting on the homo-clerical abuse scandal (for the record, Fr. McLucas is accused of sexual impropriety with a woman), the aim of the aforementioned series of articles has little to do with such things. Rather, it is driven first and foremost by CMTV’s longstanding fixation on the SSPX.
Baresel aired his own bias against Catholic tradition when he wrote of Fr. McLucas:
His editorship [of Latin Mass Magazine] was marked by promotion of the more bizarre wing of “traditionalist” opinion, including publication of an article claiming that Pope Paul VI’s encyclical reaffirming Church doctrine on the immorality of artificial birth control, Humanae Vitae, broke with established Church teaching on account of its failure to make explicit mention of the distinction between the primary and secondary ends of marriage.
There is nothing whatsoever “bizarre” about this. It is an undeniable truth (not merely an opinion) that Humanae Vitae did indeed obscure (if not outright deny) the traditional teaching regarding the ends of marriage; thereby promoting the very “contraceptive mentality” that the text supposedly combatted, and heroically so according to most neo-cons – a point made in this space on more than one occasion.
Baresel, having thus shown the shallowness of his Steubenville formation, then went into full blown #FAKE mode, proposing:
For a conservative clergyman guilty of sexual misbehavior to go off into a “traditionalist” apostolate of a disobedient or schismatic nature is not unusual…
So, readers should simply take it on Baresel’s say so that it’s a usual occurrence for “conservative” clerics who are guilty of sexual misbehavior to seek refuge in a traditionalist apostolate?
Common sense alone suggests that this is utter nonsense. The overwhelming majority of “conservative” clerics by definition are all-in with the Almighty Council and the Novus Ordo. Most have little interest in offering the Traditional Roman Rite. Add guilt for sexual misconduct to the mix, and it is clear that Baresel is unhinged.
If Michael Voris – who has anointed himself the media’s lone knight-in-shining-armor capable of defending the Kingdom of Christ from homo-deviant clerics – was half the journalist he pretends to be, CMTV wouldn’t have anything to do with a hack like James Baresel. But alas, they have a common enemy and so anything goes.
In his rebuttal to the SSPX’s response to his article, Baresel put his instability on display for all to see yet again, writing in reference to his investigative technique:
I also asked if Fr. Stamos knew how Fr. McLucas might be contacted. I never said that I wanted information about Fr. McLucas because I had known him and I never said that I wanted to contact Fr. McLucas.
So, which is it, Jimmy? Did you ask how Fr. McLucas might be contacted, or did you never say that you wanted to contact him?
And this from a guy who, in the manner of a Bergoglian, wrote of “traditionalists” (so-called), “even the non-sordid among them are a group of oddballs.” Pot, meet kettle.
Believe it or not, Baresel wasn’t quite finished making an ass of himself and his imprudent publisher. He writes:
Making matters even worse is Pope Francis’ grant to priests of the SSPX faculties to validly hear confessions and give absolution and, under certain conditions, to officiate at marriages.
Q: What kind of a self-identified “Catholic” is troubled by the fact that the entirely valid priests of the SSPX actually absolve the sins of penitents?
A: One so blinded by hatred for tradition that the salvation of souls is no longer of any concern.
On July 24, CMTV issued yet another follow-up piece – this one published without a byline, which necessarily means that it met with Voris’ approval. In it, readers are provided with what it calls “Other Evidence of Protecting Sexual Predators” by the SSPX.
Again, I’m all for shining the light of truth on every single detail, and if the allegations made in this article are true, I’ll be the first to say that they are troubling to the point of being practically indefensible.
Following Baresel’s initial article, the SSPX swiftly responded with a press release. This most recent CMTV article, however, is to be taken far more seriously. As of this writing, the SSPX has yet to respond.
In this case, for the good of the Society and its faithful, “I will not say a word” isn’t going to cut it. As such, I am looking forward to a response from the SSPX and have every confidence that one is forthcoming.
That having been said, one of the truths made plain by the article itself (albeit inadvertently) is a truth that CMTV is loath to acknowledge; namely, that the Society of St. Pius X is in no way schismatic. This, not according to some “oddball traditionalist,” but according to the conciliar church’s “full communion” gatekeepers themselves.
One of the cases highlighted by CMTV concerns a now former-Society priest, Fr. Philippe Peignot. CMTV reports that “the Vatican authorized the SSPX to begin a canonical trial against Peignot, which found him guilty of sex abuse.” They even provided readers with an image of the 2013 “Letter of the Vatican’s Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith asking Bp. Fellay to begin proceedings against Fr. Peignot.”
To my knowledge, the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith has never asked any of the Orthodox Church’s to begin a canonical trial against one of their own. The reason? They are schismatic. You get the picture.
In conclusion, two things have emerged from CMTV’s recent series of articles on the Society of St. Pius X; each one well beyond dispute:
– Church Militant, under the leadership of Michael Voris, remains as consumed as ever with an irrational hatred for the SSPX, to the point where even the salvation of souls is of lesser concern than their desire to inflict damage upon the Society. What truly lies in their crosshairs, whether they realize it or not, is Catholic tradition itself.
– The SSPX owes it to their faithful (at the least) to answer the very serious charges made concerning Fr. Peignot and others. If mistakes were made in the handling of credibly accused persons within the Society, they should be admitted and explained.
Of course the hierarchs of the conciliar church treat clerical sexual abuse as a PR challenge; doing whatever they can to protect their image. They’re humanists first and foremost; their mission, entirely earthbound. The Society of St. Pius X, by contrast, reasonably invites being held to a much higher standard.
I think the only thing I would add here is what seems like MV’S obsession with things of a sexual nature.
He, like many, defend the institution with the zeal that should be used to defend the Faith. Sad. What Mr. Voris fails to admit is that it is the institution of the conciliar fake church that is the biggest enemy of the Faith.
Blinded by secular values and prestige of man.
Please see the article “Unmarked building, quiet legal help for accused priests” Dryden, Mich. (AP) for the priest Mr. Voris defends, Rev.Eduard Perrone of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary Church also known as Assumption Grotto, is co-founder of Opus Bono Sacerdotii. This non-profit organization takes in accused priests and gives them shelter, legal defense, transportation, etc. Opus Bono claims to have helped over 8,000 priests and has raised over $8 million 2002-2016. One of the priests Rev. Perrone helped “…later admitted to molesting as many as 50 children in the 1980’s and 90’s, according to court documents in Texas.”
Link: https://apnews.com/abe2da0da2f648ad89dde483a92d3f19
Since the information pamphlet for Opus Bono Sacerdotii in is the church where Mr.Voris goes, don’t you think he knows what Rev. Perrone does to help accused predators? Might he be protesting too much?
In 1999, when I become associated with the SSPX, those who attended their Masses were told to stay away from the Novus Ordo “church” and doubt was cast on the ordination of N.O. priests. That’s a big change from today when they are utilizing N.O. priests to “help out”. This is what I question more than anything else.
Two words sum up Michael Voris…. “Sodomite Narcissism”
He is off the rails and obsessed on the subject of Sodomite Clerics in the Church…to the point that maybe he protests..toooo much….to the point that maybe he is having internal problems maintaining his conversion/healing from his “former” sodomite lifestyle. Three observations. 1) Charity from MV/CMTV on SSPX, is rare. Accuracy on the SSPX is even more rare; 3) Truth does not require nastiness. Perhaps MV is projecting his suppressed self-loathing on SSPX et al… Don’t know but it would explain
a lot of his apparent rage at all things Sodomite and/or SSPX.
Michael probably does not have any pom poms with the SSPX colors and logo on the handles. Don’t curse the darkness, send him a pair! 😉
Dear Mr. Verrechio,
Please check into Opus Bono Sacerdotii and its co-founder Rev. Perrone and the connection to Michael Voris. Another co-founder, Joe Maher, was ousted after the Mich. Atty Gen found misappropriation of funds and misleading contributors. Maher has since started a similar organization, Melchizedek.
I don’t think SSPX has an “underground railroad” for predator priests like the one run by the pastor of Mr. Voris!
Questions the SSPX needs to answer
1) Why was Father Mclucas brought into SSPX circles from the FSSP/ new church?
2) Who in the SSPX made the decision to let him in (a name or names please)?
3) Who is vouching for him (who in the SSPX leadership believes he did not have relations with the girl at any age again name or names please)?
4) How was Father Mclucas vetted for entry to the SSPX (access to the women and children!)?
5) Did the SSPX know about the bizarre tale from Christendom College in relation to Father Mclucas ( Father Mclucas vacationing alone with a wife and children from a troubled marriage then Father Mclucas wrote a letter on Christendom College letter head to a judge defending the vacationing alone with a wife and children from a troubled marriage!)?
6) As a friend of the SSPX was Father Mclucas given any financial compensation from the SSPX in any form (money, insurance housing any form)?
7) Why were the faithful attached to the SSPX not told anything about Father Mclucas (if good reasons exist to believe Father Mclucas should we not know them)?
I wonder who in the SSPX thought it was a good idea to import a problematic priest from new church/FSSP? I can think of at least 5 other good Traditional Priests that have been side lined for being good Priests that the SSPX could help that do not have any accusations made against in relation to the 6th and 9th Commandments. So why Father Mclucas and not the others?
Generally I’m grateful to CM and Michael Voris for shining a needed light on the scandalous behavior of so many clerics. They seem a faithful apostolate and that’s a good thing as well. I think they are sincere but of course, we’re all prone to our own set of issues and failings. They are an important voice in the resistance, there are not enough of us and the more the better. If CM makes any of these heretical clerics nervous that they might be confronted somewhere, good. There are things about the SSPX I don’t comprehend, like their silence.
What passes for Catholicism on high-hit websites and YouTube channels is NOT Catholicism. It’s VII-inspired entertainment, the real purpose of which is to flatter the vanity of the “Show Host” of those endeavors. St. John the Baptist, caught up in the Holy Spirit, proclaimed that with the coming of The Savior it was time for him (SJB) to decrease. Glory be to The Father, The Son, and the Holy Spirit. That should be, as Catholics, our focused intent in ALL endeavors. Put God absolutely first. Something that smacks of “Look at ME, everybody. I have such an exciting Web presence!” is the result of being caught up in a totally different spirit.
Excellent questions, piokolby. Will the SSPX answer?
Dear Louie and Evangeline–See the link in my post above about Opus Bono Sacerdottii. Next read what the daughter of the lay co-founder says about Fr. Perrone and Michael Voris (her response to comments)! Link: https://www.reddit.com/r/excatholic/comments/awdeii/altar_boy_abuse_coverup_by_fr_eduard_perrone/
Her name is Mary Rose Maher and she observed what happened from the beginning of this “Underground Railroad for Pedophile Priests” and now she is a whistleblower and an advocate for victims of abuse.
CMTV had no problem with the SSPX until around 2014/15 when they all of a sudden went in full attack mode against them. They used to have some SSPX followers who even travelled on their retreat at sea. Not anymore I guess.
Coastalfarm, do NOT be so quick to dismiss the “underground railroad” within the SSPX.
Williamson was well aware of the homosexual group in Urrutigoity’s class at Winona. Several straight seminarians who left referred to him as U Root A Groiney and onto the boys of St Gregory’s Academy. Friends at the chapel said Fr David Hewko used their phone to call his buddy Hewko.They asked him if he was leaving the SSPX to join the SSJ, According to them Hewko replied ,”Not if but when”. Then the scandal broke. lucky for Hewko but later he created his own and he invited several other “friends” . Fr Marshall Roberts , Fr Titherow and a few others.
I was there . I saw the ignorance of the SSPX concerning priestly sodomites.
https://www.cathinfo.com/sspx-resistance-news/help-needed-re-fr-roberts/
No one mentions the last Nazi arrested who was hiding out in the SSPX seminary in Nice when he was arrested. His name? Paul Touvier. For forty years he was on the run supported by a monthly stipend from the Chevalier de Notre Dame of which ArchBishop LeFebvre was the Grand Master. All documented.
https://www.nytimes.com/1989/05/25/world/fugitive-nazi-collaborator-seized-from-a-catholic-priory-in-france.html
correction…..Hewko called Urrutigoity from a friend’s home.
Urrutgoity went on to S America after that fiasco where he eventually was in charge of an Orphanage. Thanks to Mrs Engel’s investigations he and the Opus Dei Bishop who took him in knowing what he had done in PA ,were ousted from Paraguay by the Vatican. Last heard he was in good standing in Argentina. He comes from a very wealthy family in Argentina.
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/catholic-society-used-dreams-medieval-life-rebellion-groom-young-victims-n907661
One thing that should be made clear. SSPX people said Urrutigoity was kicked out of the Winona seminary because he was being watched as they knew he was a homosexual. Seminarians said he was really kicked out because he was recruiting for his new group the SSJ.
My friends lived in St Marys Kansas and told us of their first hand experiences with Fr Angles and his support of Hitler and the Nazis.
Good observations Piokolby !
My good friend ( now deceased ), Mother Teresa of the Still River Mass convent ,
called me years before the McLucas story broke. He was staying there and celebrating the TLM for the nuns. He took a shine to two young Postulants and went for long walks with each separately. Mother was extremely concerned this was inappropriate but the priest assured her he was imparting Spiritual Direction.
Mother said shortly thereafter both girls left the convent. One showed up at my home and stayed with us for several weeks. . She told us McLucas gave her the
money to leave . He called several times but we did not answer the phone.
Seems he has a penchant for SD of teen aged girls.
To better understand the Nazi Paul Touvier and his close friendship with LeFebvre’s Order and the Vichey nazi Regime ……see
https://www.amazon.com/Statement-Michael-Caine/dp/B00AOVJZ8I