Fr Isaac Mary Relyea doubles down on WM Review, Novus Ordo Watch – endorses Father Coleridge Reader
After being criticised for recommending The WM Review and Novus Ordo Watch, Franciscan mission preacher Fr Isaac Mary Relyea has doubled down on his praise.
After being criticised for recommending The WM Review and Novus Ordo Watch, Franciscan mission preacher Fr Isaac Mary Relyea has doubled down on his praise.
(WM Round-Up) – In life, there are big men, and there are small men.
A small man takes everything personally, and acts as if all important questions are to be decided with reference to the small man himself, his feelings, his experience, and his actions.
For example, a small man who has been involved in ecumenical activities knows that such activities are good: after all, he has been involved in them for years – and he is a good Catholic.
He knows that Vatican II is orthodox, and its sacramental rites are valid: after all, he has been involved with it all for years – and he is a good Catholic.
Most importantly, a small man knows that someone who disagrees with him on any such points is wrong, bad, and must be personally destroyed: after all, such a person disagrees with him, his feelings, his experiences, and his actions – and he is a good Catholic.
So much for small men.
Big men, on the other hand, are able to engage with ideas, and with those who disagree with them about matters that do indeed touch their persons, without feeling personally threatened – and whilst remaining respectful and even pleasant. They recognise that the truth is something external to them, and more important than them.
The more important the disagreements might be on a personal level, the bigger a man is for acting in this way.
Take, for example,
. In November 2024, Zuhlsdorf responded to an article which we translated about the validity of Paul VI’s new rites of priestly ordination (NRPO) and episcopal consecration (NREC), which were promulgated in 1968.Zuhlsdorf conceded the reasonableness of wondering about the validity of these rites under the circumstances. His comments were respectful, and he engaged meaningfully with the ideas raised.
We must remember that, although we were dealing in generalities and without reference to persons, the topic was the very rite with which he was ordained. The discussion, therefore, had implications for the validity of Fr Zuhlsdorf’s own priesthood.
Few men can be as even-handed or detached as Fr Zuhlsdorf was – and this was worthy of our respect.
We say this as a preamble to returning to the popular mission preacher Fr Isaac Mary Relyea – a “big man” in the sense discussed – who has been criticised for praising and recommending The WM Review and a few weeks ago, in one of his videos.
Relyea’s previous comments on WM Review and Novus Ordo Watch
Whilst making clear that he did not share some of our views, he called Novus Ordo Watch “awesome” and recommended The WM Review as “one of [his] favourite websites.”
“[T]here’s not too many sites that I recommend, as far as sedevacantists,” he added.
His remarks were very encouraging, and we recommend readers view them here:
At the time of his comments, we wrote the following:
“It is rare to find those with such open minds when it comes to the topic of the long term vacancy under which we are living. Few have a sufficient maturity and love of truth to be able to take the approach manifested by Relyea.
“In fact, the common fate of such persons is to be labelled as sedevacantists themselves, and treated accordingly – no matter how false such an accusation might be.
“This leads us to a phenomenon, which we could call ‘the absolute impermissibility of sedevacantism’ – the way in which the idea of a vacant see is treated by some as uniquely unacceptable. For some, not to condemn the idea is to endorse it; to recognise any plausibility is to be pushing it; and actually to embrace it is to become more heretical than a real heretic, and more schismatic than a real schismatic.”
This has proved to be Relyea’s fate – and, as predicted, making clear that he is not a “sedevacantist” himself does not help matters at all.
In such a situation, a small man might back down. Relyea, however, did the opposite.
Relyea doubles down – and our brief digression on ‘sedevacantism’
Asked if he shared the “sedevacantist” views of the websites recommended, Relyea replied:
“Once again, the answer is no.
“And, like I said, some people commented because we listed a website – WM Review – and they pointed out that they’re sedevacantists.”
A brief digression: we at The WM Review are ambivalent about the use of the moniker “sedevacantist.”
Our conclusion of an extended vacancy of the Holy See, dating from around 1965, arises from the application of Catholic theology and doctrine to our current situation. We hold this conclusion to be certain.
However, the term “sedevacantist” is ill-defined and misunderstood. Abbé Noel Barbara wrote the following about the term:
“Some have cleverly invented the term “sedevacantist” and apply it to us in a derogatory sense; but we are no more ‘sedevacantists’ than we are ‘traditionalists’. We are Catholics, and it is precisely for that reason that we must insist so strongly on the urgent need to submit to the magisterium of the popes and of the councils.1
People also treat the term “sedevacantism” as if it refers not to a conclusion, but to a sect with a series of tenets – each of which are commonly held to be wrong, extreme, and bad.
Even if the term was allegedly invented by Fr Joaquín Sáenz Arriaga, one of the first priests to publicly reject Paul VI’s claim, it might justly be described as a “term of the enemy,” similar to such other loaded terms as “Rad Trad,” “Latin Massist,” or “Lefebvrite.”
Adopting such terms does not seem enitrely prudent, if one knows this will invite ones arguments, conclusions and ones very self to be pathologised by those who do not know what they are talking about.
‘Sede derangement syndrome’
The pathologisation mentioned is clear from the “sede derangement syndrome” which Relyea goes on to describe:
“A lot of people get all up in arms. I just pointed out that it’s one of my favourite websites, even though I don’t come to the same conclusion as them. […]
“The men at WM, I think they’re doing good work. And they don’t push their views. They’re just saying, ‘Here, this is it. We have to look at this.’”
“That’s why some of these so-called traditional bloggers and all these people that get crazy about the sedevacantists – but are you studying the issues? Like I said last week, are you intimidated by it because you don’t have the answers?”
Refusing to walk back his original remarks, Fr Relyea went further, slamming critics, and adding a new endorsement of WM Review’s project Father Coleridge Reader – which extends our work beyond doctrine and polemics:
“[Y]ou go on WM Review, they put up the sermons from Father Coleridge. Man, when I say phenomenal sermons – and this man, I forget what year he lived, I don’t know it was 1800… I forgot, it’s been a while since… But his sermons are – when I say gold, they’re filled with dogma, filled with piety, you’ll learn so much.
“And that’s the kind of stuff [The WM Review are] putting up, too. So, they’re not just about the dogmatics, they’re also about spiritually trying to help you, giving you access to real solid teachings and doctrines. So, I advise it.”
Relyea also repeated his previous endorsements:
“Their work is phenomenal. Their research is phenomenal. Their sources are phenomenal, like I said.”
The interviewer also offered warm praise for Novus Ordo Watch:
“I’ve made the joke before – especially in the direction of Novus Ordo Watch – that a lot of the sedevacantists, or at least that particular one, is excellent at research.
“If you want to know what the Council Fathers had for lunch on Thursday, on the 12th day of the 7th session of the Council of Trent – he’s still got the copy of the authentic lunch bill.
“They are fantastic. I mean that tongue-in-cheek, but if you go look at their podcast – even the express versions of their podcast – it’s just a laundry list of links to Denzinger, to authentic teachings of the faith.
“You cannot question that these guys are Catholic.”
Relyea affirmed that he has more in common with the dreaded “sedevacantists” than “mainstream Catholics”:
“I’ll be honest with you: I have more in common with a typical sedevacantist than with a mainstream Catholic.
“And what do I mean by that? Basically – not all [sedevacantists], I’m sure – but most of them hold all the doctrines of the Church. That’s the bottom line.
“They have problems with the post-conciliar popes – but anyone who doesn’t have problems with them doesn’t know the Catholic faith. Having a problem and then saying they’re not valid popes – that’s a different problem. The question of a heretical pope has never been definitively resolved, and this is what I think everyone has to realise.
“Like I said, I have more in common with people at WM Review, because they hold the true doctrines of the faith. They hold that there’s no salvation outside the Church. And that’s why they don’t give any credence, basically, to Vatican II – which teaches that all these other religions can be a means of salvation. Well, that’s nonsense. All other religions do is lead people to hell. That’s the way it is.”
Turning the criticism around on those with ‘sede derangement syndrome’
He referred to St Bonaventure, whose feast it was at the time of recording:
“Today is a great Franciscan feast of the great Doctor of the Church – the Seraphic Doctor – St Bonaventure. St Bonaventure is such an extraordinary saint and a great Doctor of the Church.
“When we look at the readings today, they’re very clear. The first reading is one of my favourite readings, taken from the Second Letter of St Paul the Apostle to Timothy. It says this:
“‘I charge thee, before God and Jesus Christ, who shall judge the living and the dead, by his coming, and his kingdom: Preach the word: be instant in season, out of season: reprove, entreat, rebuke in all patience and doctrine.
“‘For there shall be a time, when they will not endure sound doctrine; but, according to their own desires, they will heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears: And will indeed turn away their hearing from the truth, but will be turned unto fables. But be thou vigilant, labour in all things, do the work of an evangelist, fulfil thy ministry. Be sober.
“‘For I am even now ready to be sacrificed: and the time of my dissolution is at hand. I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. As to the rest, there is laid up for me a crown of justice, which the Lord the just judge will render to me in that day: and not only to me, but to them also that love his coming.’
“We could spend tons of time on this, because this is what’s happened. But as a priest, I’m called to ‘preach the word in season and out of season’ – to ‘reprove, entreat, rebuke in all patience and doctrine.’ […]
“What would the great St Bonaventure say if he was alive today, if he saw what was going on? You don’t think he’d be concerned about the post-conciliar popes?
“What do you think he would say about Cardinal Fernandez, who’s in charge of the Holy Office – which is to defend the doctrines of the Church?
“He is an outright heretic. An apostate, basically. He is a full-fledged heretic that promotes trash like Fiducia Supplicans, and so forth.”
Relyea turned the criticism around further on those whom he suggested may not be concerned enough about the papacy and the state of the Church:
“Like I tell people: if you’re not concerned about the papacy today, there’s something wrong. You don’t love Holy Mother Church. It’s bringing about such, such confusion. […]
“And so my friends – and I’m sorry – we have to wake up. I mean, there’s an elephant, like I said, in the room. Would you know if there’s an elephant in your living room? Of course you would – by the stench alone, by the size of his body.
“And the stench today coming from Rome is disgusting.”
He did not mince his words in discussing men such as Cardinal Burke:
“Our Lady of Good Success talks about the great prelate. She says also many things, as I’ve quoted before – that in these times that we’re living, because it’s for our times that the prophecies were given – those that should cry out will remain silent.
“And that’s what Leo is doing now. He’s remaining silent by not addressing issues that have to be addressed. Why won’t he answer the dubia? The great Cardinal Burke – who, by the way, is drooling now because ‘Pope Leo’ gave him a nice letter. Give me a break. Give me a break.”
He later added:
“We see the typical prelate today – the so-called ‘good ones.’ I’m sorry. Even somebody like Cardinal Burke, who everybody thinks walks on water – give me a break.
“When was the last time you ever heard him take a quote previous to the Vatican II documents? Tell me. I haven’t.
“It’s like they cut off our past. You can’t sever the past. You can’t sever what was handed down. And we have to know what was handed down. We’re obliged to know it, and to live it.”
Relyea was similarly scathing about the so-called “Trad Inc.”, which
has defined as the “media class that once stood against the revolution but now makes its peace with it, because the alternative is to go broke or be blacklisted.” Our colleague Matthew McCusker described it as following:“‘Trad Inc.’ is a broad range of commentators who, by choice or through lack of knowledge, limit themselves to expressing opinions that fall within the acceptable bounds of mainstream traditionalist discourse, and restrict themselves to a narrow framework of arguments and reference points that have hardly changed since the 1980s.
“There are many rewards for staying within these bounds. Even for those who do not benefit financially, or enjoy status within these circles, there is the feeling of being part of a movement that is, somehow, destined to save the Church. This feeling persists even though in the ‘Recognise and Resist’ camp today there is a lot of focus on ‘recognition’ and not much evidence of ‘resistance.’ There are also strong personal bonds, reinforced by speaking at the same conferences, attending the same events, promoting each other’s work, and so on.”
Speaking boldly about this “Trad Inc. phenomenon,” and its attitude to Leo XIV, Relyea said:
“I mean, the papacy of Leo [XIV] – I don’t understand these trads out there, especially the so-called Trad Inc. guys. What are they saying? “We’ve got to give him a chance.” What chance do you want?
“The guy – once again – he’s showing us what he’s all about. It’s unbelievable. They don’t want to accept the truth. And truth is truth. It’s there.”
He also asked:
“But the thing is, all of us – no matter what side you’re on – are you willing to live the faith? Are you willing to be sacrificed, as St Paul just said to Timothy, for the truth? That’s what I want to know. Are you willing to do that?
“Are you going to deny truth? The stuff that has taken place since the Council is just an abomination.”
This abomination, Relyea rightly said, is a chastisement:
“But once again, we’re going to have to wait, because God is punishing us. And this is being fulfilled from the Scriptures – St Paul in Thessalonians – that before the end comes, there will be an apostasy, a falling away from the faith in the Church. In the Church. And all the Fathers and Doctors say it will come from the top down – and that’s what we’re witnessing. […]
“[M]y point is, this is a chastisement we’re going through. A real chastisement. The Scriptures are being fulfilled. Prophecies are being fulfilled – Fatima, La Salette...”
Not being afraid of truth
Picking up a theme from the previous episode, Relyea encouraged listeners not to be afraid of the truth – and to take a more studious, serious approach to the questions, rather than getting “up in arms” or “crazy” about those who disagree:
“Why don’t you follow St Thomas Aquinas, whom many of you claim to follow? What did he do in the Summa? He puts up a statement, and then he writes all these things – he didn’t want to leave one stone unturned.
“He would study the issue upside down, give both views, and then he would say, ‘Here, this is what it says,’ and then he would rebuke it. But he wanted to cover every aspect of it, so that you could have clarity. Are we doing that?
“We can’t be afraid to look at these things. That’s all I’m saying.
“And don’t act like you’re some pope making de fide statements: ‘I say there is a pope,’ or ‘I say there’s not a pope, and therefore everyone must believe what I say.’ That’s nonsense. I don’t have the authority to do that. But anyway, let’s have charity for each other.”
As previously mentioned, we do believe that the conclusion of the vacant see is certain – but we also acknowledge that this is completely different to whether we have the authority to impose this conclusion on anyone else. This seemed to be what Relyea meant when he said the following:
“So, they have that conclusion, but like I said, they’re not throwing mud at anyone. They’re not attacking people. They’re just speaking truth, this is what the Church [teaches]. And these things are hard to figure out today.
“So once again, I think we have to have charity towards each other.”
Again and again, Relyea returned to the importance of charity between those seeking to believe and live out the Catholic faith:
“And so this is what I recommend: be charitable towards each other. We’ve got to cut each other slack.
“But the main thing – once again, like St Vincent of Lérins says you do in these times – you live the faith as it was taught from Christ to the Apostles, handed down.”
Once again, we thank Fr Relyea for his encouragement, and for his example in how to deal with those with “sede derangement syndrome”, which is:
Always double down.
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We found you because of Father Reyla, and it was just what we needed to finalize our transition from R&R to Sede. Most grateful for your site and the community!
It’s been a painful experience that there are many small priests and bishops. We must pray for them and offer sacrifices and suffering for their sanctification. Indeed we must do so for all clergy.