Beware of those posing as “Catholics” who speak and publish in opposition to the Teaching Authority of the Church
The name of "Catholic" is the most valuable possession a person can ever hope to obtain. It is something truly unique; identifying the individual who possess it as a cherished and integral part (a member) of the Mystical Body of Christ (i.e. the One, Holy, Catholic, and Apostolic Church).
To be clear, the name or title of "Catholic” is not an inconsequential gift for there is a price associated with obtaining it. That price is obedience to the laws and governance of the Church. One could say that receiving the title of “Catholic” is a reward (a blessing) that is bestowed upon those stalwart catechumens who embrace the truthfulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ and who enter into Holy Communion with His Church through the water of baptism.
Yet, there is a vast difference between “Cafeteria Catholics”, who pick and choose whom they will trust and what they will believe, and “True” Catholics being those who commit, submit, and subject themselves to the divine will of God as expressed through His the Magisterium (which includes the Pope who is the Vicar of Christ on earth, and the visible head of His Church).
“True” Catholics persevere in their faith and will endure to the end in defending the laws and doctrines of the Church against Her enemies … those found within and without ... who oppose the Holy See and seek to sow discord / animus amongst the ranks of the laity (the Christian Faithful).
The bible bears proof that that there is an opposition in all things, a fierce opposition that is orchestrated and ruled over by “the Father of Lies” (Satan). It is not coincidence that for every “TRUE” apostle, prophet, pastor, monk, (etc.) that God commissions and sends out to preach and teach that Lucifer recruits and sends out his own “FALSE” demonic equivalents.
It should come as no surprise then that many of those whom Satan has commissioned / recruited to conspire against and oppose the Holy See have succeeded in infiltrating the Church; posing as “TRUE” Catholics. Tragically, in some regrettable instances, certain of these imposters have managed to “deceive the elect” (the bishops of the church) and have obtained Holy Orders; allowing themselves entry into the Priesthood.
Such tragic and appalling infiltration by these “False” Catholics into the hierarchy of the Teaching Authority of the Church points an accusing finger directly at the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF) in Rome (Holy See – Roman Curia) whose duty and responsibility it is to “police” the Church, exposing such frauds / imposters, and “cleansing the temple”, so-to-speak.
But, the CDF is not alone in its culpability of “sleeping on the job” and allowing “ravenous wolves” dressed in “Shepherd’s” clothing to gain unfettered access to Christ’s flock. There are numerous Diocesan Bishops who are equally derelict in their duty to uphold and maintain the sanctity of the Church and act as its first line of defense to ensure the spiritual and physical well-being of the laity.
“The wolf catcheth and scattereth the sheep.” - 1 St John 10:12
As a direct result of the negligence of the Church in keeping itself sane (vigilant) and secure, it is estimated that 11% (143 million) of the approximate 1.3 billion baptized Catholics worldwide have broken ranks with main-stream Catholicism. These “disgruntled” Catholics have set out and established and/or joined with numerous dissenting “fringe groups” opposed to the liturgical changes brought on by the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965) and refer to themselves as being “Traditional” Catholics rather than simply Catholic.
Then there is a small but non-negligible number of Ultra-Traditionalist “fringe groups” in existence who declare that due to the events associated with and relating to the Second Vatican Council that the Roman Catholic Church has become “eclipsed”.
These extremists believe that the Church has been infiltrated and taken control over by either “Jews”, “Free Masons”, “Communists” (and/or a combination) but most assuredly by Satan; thus leaving the “Chair of Peter” vacant since the death of Pope Pius XII in 1958. These persons refer to themselves as “Sedevacantists”.
One common point found in these “fringe groups” is that they have openly declared themselves to be “outside” of the governance of the Roman Curia and have established themselves as alternative “authoritative” Catholic religious communities. What they fail to comprehend is that though their outrage over certain scandalous actions of the Church may be justified … dissent within the Church never justifies schism. It has been said on this point that: “One does not abandon Peter because of Judas.” If anything, “TRUE” Catholics, in times of crisis, will simply “gird up their loins”, persevere, and endure to the end; working hard with the Church to bring about a viable and lasting change.
"And whosoever shall keep the whole law, but offend in one point, is become guilty of all." - St. James 2:10
The blatant apathy of the CDF and the Church’s Archdioceses worldwide, in either formally condemning or reconciling with these “fringe groups”, is scandalous and urgently needs to be resolved.
As for these “fringe groups” … they simply fail to understand that it is ludicrous to believe, or even entertain the idea, that in Christ's Church there could exist such a thing as "loyal" opposition. Their dissent and opposition to Rome is quite Protestant in nature and form.
Depending on the strength of your Faith in the Roman Catholic Church and its relation to these “fringe groups”, Traditionalists may appear as being theological “fence sitters” who lack the moral fortitude to commit to jumping off onto one side or the other of the Catholo-Protestant fence they sit defiantely and mockingly upon.
Those "TRUE" Catholics remain within the Church, despite the controversy surrounding the Second Vatican Council and other more recent Church related scandals, should find solace in the words of the Apostle Paul for their tenacity in the faith:
"For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; and they shall turn away their ears from the truth.” - 2 Timothy 4:3–4
Paul also taught that our Savior: "… gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;” - Ephesians 4:11–14
Christ, Himself, made it clear to His disciples:
"… Take heed that no man deceive you." - St Matthew 24:4
"… false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many." - St Matthew 24:11
"If anyone says that ... those who have been neither rightly ordained nor sent by ecclesiastical and canonical authority, but come from a different source, are lawful ministers of the word …: let him be anathema [cf. n. 960]." - Denzinger: Sources of Catholic Dogma: 967 Can. 7
Beware of those posing as “Catholics” who speak and publish in opposition to the Teaching Authority of the Church