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The Pope is 'not to be publicly contradicted' – Fr Palmieri on the non-infallible magisterium
Fr Domenico Palmieri SJ explains that while the 'merely authentic' magisterium may theoretically teach error, its exercise was not to be publicly…
Is an extended vacancy of the Holy See possible? Interview at Integrity Magazine
In this interview with Stephen Kokx from Integrity, we discussed whether an extended vacancy is possible, and its 'prior probability' as an explanation…
 • S.D. Wright
Eastern Orthodoxy? St Gregory the Great and the 'Universal Bishop' title (Brownson)
In the early Church, the title 'Universal Bishop' was rejected. What does this mean for the Papal claims?
'Ephpheta: Be opened' – Eleventh Sunday after Pentecost
A crucial event in the life of every Christian baptised in the traditional rite – the 'Ephpheta' – and when Our Lord first set these words.
Published on Father Coleridge Reader • 
'Stripped of jurisdiction by God' – Fr Palmieri SJ on the Pope Question
If Fr Domenico Palmieri SJ is an authority for 'recognise and resist' theology, then why does he hold that a heretical Pope loses office automatically?
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Don't miss out!
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
The Passion and the Eclipse
Following on from his article comparing the crisis in the Church with the Passion of Christ, Peregrinus now compares it with the eclipse that took place…
 • Peregrinus
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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The Pope is 'not to be publicly contradicted' – Fr Palmieri on the non-infallible magisterium
Fr Domenico Palmieri SJ explains that while the 'merely authentic' magisterium may theoretically teach error, its exercise was not to be publicly…
Eastern Orthodoxy? St Gregory the Great and the 'Universal Bishop' title (Brownson)
In the early Church, the title 'Universal Bishop' was rejected. What does this mean for the Papal claims?
'Stripped of jurisdiction by God' – Fr Palmieri SJ on the Pope Question
If Fr Domenico Palmieri SJ is an authority for 'recognise and resist' theology, then why does he hold that a heretical Pope loses office automatically?
Eastern Orthodoxy? 'Orthodox proofs' from Chalcedon undermine their own case (Brownson)
What kind of mind appeals to Pope St Leo the Great and the Council of Chalcedon against the papacy?
Eastern Orthodoxy? No, Pope Leo the Great is not a witness against papal primacy (Orestes Brownson)
The 'Orthodox' priest whose work Orestes Brownson is critiquing next tries to claim that Pope St Leo the Great rejected papal primacy. Unsurprisingly…
'They miserably deceive themselves who think they can adhere to the Roman See while resisting the Pontiff' – Fr Palmieri SJ
Fr Domenico Palmieri SJ directly refutes the 'recognise and resist' ecclesiology of the Gallicans.
The See and the Seated: Fr Dominic Palmieri SJ against Gallican theology of the Papacy
Fr Dominic Palmieri sets the grounds for a devastating refutation of the Gallican conception of the Papacy – and its descendants today.
Eastern Orthodoxy? Rome did not have primacy merely for being the capital city (Orestes Brownson)
Eastern ‘Orthodox’ Abbé Guettée’s appeal to Constantinople and Chalcedon collapses under Brownson’s scrutiny.
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