Fr Reid Hennick amicably leaves the SSPX over the 'Pope Question'
This departure will be a great loss for many who are associated with the Society of St Pius X.
This departure will be a great loss for many who are associated with the Society of St Pius X.
Editors’ Notes
Fr Reid Hennick, an American priest hitherto of the Society of St Pius X in the UK, announced his departure from the SSPX on 12th February 2025.
Those who know him, or who have heard his sermons online, recognised the loss that his departure represented.
Fr Hennick set out his reasons for leaving in his letter, which he has permitted to be shared for informational purposes. The letter provided important context, and is crucial for forming a correct view of his departure and his intentions.
On a first reading, it might appear that Fr Hennick left the SSPX simply because he has concluded “that the Holy See has been vacant since the Second Vatican Council.”
However, a more careful reading shows that this is not so. In the letter, Hennick explains that the reasons for his departure are somewhat more nuanced:
Despite sincere efforts to find a way forward with the Society, my recent cordial audience with the Superior General gave me the clarity to know that I can no longer presume to represent its interests. […]
I have made every effort to accommodate myself to the practical mission of the SSPX, hoping it possible to continue serving as a Society priest while holding to and acting on my convictions. But it has become clear to me that such an arrangement is, under the present circumstances, unsustainable in the long run.
Hennick does not elaborate on further on what this means in his letter.
However, his conclusion (about the impossibility of remaining) is significant: over time, it is likely that others will wrestle with similar questions, and arrive at similar conclusions.
Hennick’s progression on the question
Fr Hennick’s letter refers to a progression of ideas relating to the question.
At the time of his ordination by Bishop Alfonso de Galarreta in 2016, the SSPX provided the following mini-biography:
Hennick grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Upon discovering tradition he began attending Mass at the SSPX’s chapel in Mukwonago. There he experienced the good friendship and encouragement which are so propitious for a vocation.1
Since then, Fr Hennick has been mostly based in the District of Great Britain.
Prior to his ordination, his name appeared in the acknowledgments of the 2015 book True or False Pope? Refuting Sedevacantism and other Modern Errors, which was published by the SSPX’s St Thomas Aquinas Seminary.
In those acknowledgments, the authors thanked “Rev. Mr. Hennick,” stating that he had “provided helpful guidance and assistance.”
At the time of its publication, many regarded the book as a comprehensive response to “sedevacantism” (the idea that the Holy See is currently vacant).
For example, Fr Paul Robinson praised “the exhaustive completeness of this book” and exhorted Catholics as follows:
Let the reader, then, take up this book, expecting to find within its pages a refutation of every Sedevacantist argument that has ever been put forward […]
What this involvement means for his conclusion
Fr Hennick’s involvement in such a work underscores the significance of his change in thinking, showing that he has carefully examined the arguments on both sides before reaching his conclusion.
Those who may find it difficult to accept that he has arrived at such a conclusion might consider the depth of study and discernment that led him to this point. As Hennick himself writes in his letter:
I can only hope that those of you who know me best will understand the gravity of the deliberation behind my conclusion—even if you disagree wholeheartedly.
They might also consider the humility necessary for Hennick to change his mind and to say so in public, at cost to himself and his reputation—especially after having provided “helpful guidance and assistance” to the highest profile attempt at a refutation in recent years.
Amicable departure
Fr Hennick ends his letter by requesting that the amicable nature of his departure from the SSPX be respected.
In particular, he requested that ,“[a]s the theological matter referenced here is already much misunderstood,” his letter “not become a pretext for stirring up existing hostilities among traditionalist clergy and faithful.”
Nevertheless, his departure will be felt as a great loss by many.
Let’s keep Fr Hennick in our prayers, as he discerns now “how best to serve Holy Mother Church in keeping with [his] vocation.”
Letter of Departure
Fr Reid Hennick
February 12, 2025
Feast of the Seven Holy Founders
Dear Brother Priests, Religious, and Faithful of the Society of St. Pius X:
I write to share my decision to step away from ministry in the SSPX. Over the past few years, my view of the crisis in the Church has changed significantly. Despite sincere efforts to find a way forward with the Society, my recent cordial audience with the Superior General gave me the clarity to know that I can no longer presume to represent its interests.
I realize that this news may come as a surprise. Not wanting to disturb anyone’s peace, I chose the path of discretion rather than sow confusion or appear to disrupt the Society’s mission of saving souls. My intention has been to address this sensitive matter in a way that respects both the faithful and the integrity of the Society.
Now I find myself in the challenging position of conveying my decision to leave while still showing due respect to the SSPX. Inevitably, such a decision points to serious disagreements. Nevertheless, I do not wish to deny or diminish the real good that the Society accomplishes. Its provision of the sacraments and valuable Catholic formation to so many, along with all that it has done for me, are things for which I am deeply grateful.
My departure stems from theological conviction and the demands of conscience that follow. Specifically, I have come to the conclusion that the Holy See has been vacant since the Second Vatican Council—a conclusion with profound implications for the apostolate. While this statement requires elaboration, the limited scope of this letter does not permit it. Suffice it to say that when I entered the seminary, I was confident that certain doctrinal questions had been resolved. Over time, however, my confidence in those resolutions eroded. I can only hope that those of you who know me best will understand the gravity of the deliberation behind my conclusion—even if you disagree wholeheartedly.
As indicated above, I have made every effort to accommodate myself to the practical mission of the SSPX, hoping it possible to continue serving as a Society priest while holding to and acting on my convictions. But it has become clear to me that such an arrangement is, under the present circumstances, unsustainable in the long run.
If this announcement brings confusion or discomfort, please be assured that my foremost concern is to avoid undermining your spiritual peace. I share this news only to provide some context to a decision that I could no longer realistically postpone. Regardless, I implore you to remain steadfast in the practice of the one true faith, continuing to cooperate with God’s grace, as I strive to do and trust that you do as well.
Although I must leave the Society, my commitment as a Catholic priest to the salvation of souls remains unwavering. To this end, I humbly request your prayers as I discern how best to serve Holy Mother Church in keeping with my vocation. The friendships and pastoral encounters that I have enjoyed in the SSPX remain precious to me, and I have no intention of distancing myself from anyone who wishes to keep in contact. May Our Lord grant us the grace to remain united in charity, even when our paths diverge.
In the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary,
Fr. Reid Hennick
P.S. I am not opposed to this letter being shared for information purposes, but I do ask that the amicable nature of my departure be respected. As the theological matter referenced here is already much misunderstood, in your charity, please ensure that the letter not become a pretext for stirring up existing hostilities among traditionalist clergy and faithful.
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‘Meet the new priests,’ St Thomas Aquinas Seminary, SSPX, June 10, 2016.
“If this announcement brings confusion or discomfort, please be assured that my foremost concern is to avoid undermining your spiritual peace.”
The root of the discomfort and loss of spiritual peace formed within some who consider the matter is generally caused by a fear that if the Holy See is vacant, the Catholic religion is false (because they have been presented arguments suggesting this: Apostolicity is broken; the Church has defected; visibility is violated; etc.), and this in turn accounts for the hostility sedes experience from non-sedes when broaching the issue: We are perceived as a threat to the faith to be extirpated and silenced.
The “cure” is to consider each of these issues individually. Once one understands there are persuasive arguments against all these made by classical theologians long before the present crisis, the fear factor begins to diminish. This is where the WM Review excels, treating all these issues, thereby providing the necessary tools for souls to make an honest assessment.
Of course, something has to intervene to cause a man to reconsider the matter and take that first step. Usually, it will be changed circumstances which will overcome an ill disposition and propel a man beyond his fears, perplexities, and reluctance, allowing him to overcome his own indoctrination, and proceed with an honest inquiry.
Additionally, sometimes these changed circumstances will emanate from God’s providence as unexpected answers to prayers for souls honestly trying to escape their perplexity, and be faithful. And of course fidelity to grace, and a willingness to abandon oneself to God’s providence also provide means to change disposition.
In fact, it just may be that the purpose of intellectual and doctrinal vexation is to bring a man to the realization that the matter is beyond himself, causing him simply turn to God and say “Lord, I commend myself to thee: put me where thou will,” which might never happy for said vexation.