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Heretics can't excommunicate: Drawing the arguments together
Having dealt with the issue from different perspectives across several articles, this essay brings together everything we published on why heretics…
 • S.D. Wright
Are you mad? G.K. Chesterton on maniacs and lunatics
In his classic work 'Orthodoxy', G.K. Chesterton paints a portrait of the madman – and shows him how to escape his fate.
The most difficult parable of all? – Eighth Sunday after Pentecost
Why on earth does Christ hold up a worldly trickster in this parable?
Published on Father Coleridge Reader • 
The Church’s teaching on suicide: Everything you need to know
What does the Catholic Church teach about suicide – and why?
 • S.D. Wright
What's the best explanation for the crisis in the Church?
Abductive reasoning shows us that an extended vacancy is the explanation that best fits the facts of the last sixty years or so. In fact, it is the only…
 • S.D. Wright
Don't miss out!
Don't miss out!
Heretics REALLY can't excommunicate: More clarifications in light of SSPX excommunications
Some clarifications about a principle which seems 'too good to be true' – but is true, nonetheless.
 • S.D. Wright
EXCOMMUNICATED – Vatican declares SSPX bishops and priests 'schismatics' and excommunicated, threatens laity
Leo XIV's Vatican has issued a statement declaring that the six bishops and priests are in schism and excommunicated.
 • S.D. Wright
'Something is dying with this new religion' – newly consecrated Bishop Goldade recognises what fair-weather friends denied
A number of former 'SSPX sympathisers' recently signalled their imminent break-up from the Society, specifically with their denials of the 'new…
 • S.D. Wright
Can heretics excommunicate? Foundational canonical text says they cannot
SSPX defenders would do well to read this explanation of the discussion in Gratian's Decretum. It's good news – if they're prepared to do what is…
 • S.D. Wright
'Audivimus', 'Achatius' and Causa XXIV: Heretics Excommunicating Catholics
The full text of the Causa in which the important canons of Gratian's Decretum appear – explaining why heretics have no power, and cannot excommunicate…
Debunking inadequate accounts of the Church's indefectibility
In order to defend the Conciliar/Synodal Church's claims, it's necessary to minimise and 'rethink the Catholic understanding of indefectibility. Here is…
 • S.D. Wright
The WM Review
The WM Review
Essays on the Catholic Church, theology, history and more. Without the right questions, we won't make sense of the right answers.
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Sacraments

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Have the Avrillé Dominicans move beyond their new rite of episcopal consecration study?
Although Fr Pierre-Marie Kergorlay's study of the new rite of episcopal consecration remains foundational for many, his own community appears to have…
 • S.D. Wright
BREAKING: SSPX episcopal consecrations announced
The SSPX has announced that they will be consecrating bishops 1 July 2026, apparently without pontifical mandate, following Archbishop Lefebvre’s…
 • S.D. Wright
Classic study radically overstates Lefebvre's position on holy orders
It’s been claimed that Lefebvre 'never called in question the validity of the new rite of episcopal ordinations.' This is an untenable claim, even if…
 • S.D. Wright
'I do not hesitate to administer conditional confirmation when asked'—Archbishop Lefebvre
Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre wrote to Abbé François Pivert in 1988, explaining his rationale and willingness to confirm conditional confirmation freely…
'Painful uncertainty'—new rite of holy orders critiqued in 1978 by Athanasius Kröger OSB
This Una Voce group was publishing some very daring material in the early days.
Can liturgical changes affect validity? Cardinal Vaughan says yes
Cardinal Vaughan stated that systematic liturgical changes demonstrate the intentions of those responsible for them, and can render the rite of doubtful…
Fr Zuhlsdorf, Michael Davies, and doubtful sacraments
'Father Z', aka Fr John Zuhlsdorf, responded to our article on whether the new rites of holy orders are valid. Here's our reply.
 • S.D. Wright
Classic study calls conditional ordination a 'measure of prudence'
In his defence of the new rites of episcopal consecration, Fr Pierre-Marie OP nonetheless refers to conditional ordination as 'the usage that seems to…
 • S.D. Wright

Classic Texts

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Are you mad? G.K. Chesterton on maniacs and lunatics
In his classic work 'Orthodoxy', G.K. Chesterton paints a portrait of the madman – and shows him how to escape his fate.
Abp. Lefebvre and the 'heretics can't excommunicate' argument
Just before the 1988 episcopal consecrations, Archbishop Lefebvre himself presented the argument which we have been proposing this week.
Can heretics excommunicate? Foundational canonical text says they cannot
SSPX defenders would do well to read this explanation of the discussion in Gratian's Decretum. It's good news – if they're prepared to do what is…
 • S.D. Wright
'Audivimus', 'Achatius' and Causa XXIV: Heretics Excommunicating Catholics
The full text of the Causa in which the important canons of Gratian's Decretum appear – explaining why heretics have no power, and cannot excommunicate…
The Confession of Raymond of Toulouse – Only the Kingship of Christ can hold tyrants to account like this
Imagine a world where wicked leaders make a confession like this.
The martyrdom of Bl. Pierre de Castelnau – what the reaction shows us about the Kingship of Christ
Bl. Pierre de Castelnau was slain for defending the rights of the Church and against the tyrannical rule of Count Raymond VI of Toulouse. How the world…
St Antoninus OP: 'A pope caught in heresy is not pope, because he is deposed ipso facto'
The sainted bishop of Florence expressed the same conclusion as St Robert Bellarmine: that a Pope who falls into heresy cuts himself off from the Church…
St Joseph: Saint of Silence – Mgr Guérard des Lauriers OP
What are we taught by St Joseph's silence – and his decision with regards to Our Lady being with child?
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