The Society of Saint Pius V (SSPV; Latin: Societas Sacerdotalis Sancti Pii Quinti) is a traditionalist Catholic society of priests, formed in 1983, and based in Norwood, Ohio, United States.[1] The society's original headquarters was in Oyster Bay Cove, New York.[1] The society was formed by a group of priests who broke away from the Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX) over liturgical issues.
Societas Sacerdotalis Sancti Pii Quinti | |
| Abbreviation | SSPV |
|---|---|
| Formation | 1983 |
| Type | Traditionalist Catholic religious congregation |
| Headquarters | Norwood, Ohio, United States |
Superior General | William Jenkins[1] |
Key people |
|
| Website | sspv.org |
The SSPV is sedevacantist, believing that the papacy has been vacant since the death of Pope Pius XII.[2][3] The society was headed by one of its co-founders, Bishop Clarence Kelly, until his death on December 2, 2023. It is named after Pope Pius V, who promulgated the Tridentine Mass.
History
editFounding
edit
Four expelled priests plus five who voluntarily left the SSPX refused to accept Lefebvre's insistence on the 1962 Missal, as it was their opinion that it included departures from the liturgical traditions of the church (for example, inserting the name of Saint Joseph after that of the Blessed Virgin Mary in the Canon of the Mass).[4] According to the now-Bishop Donald Sanborn (one of the nine priests), Lefebvre was imposing these liturgical and disciplinary changes in view of a reconciliation with the Vatican.[5] A more basic reason was the belief amongst The Nine that the men who had reigned as pope since the death of Pope Pius XII (d. 1958) had not been legitimate popes (Canon 1325, no. 2, 1917),[6] although Cekada later stated that "[t]he 'pope question' was not raised at the time, and was not at issue."[7] They held that these popes had officially taught and/or accepted heretical doctrines, and therefore had lost or never occupied the See of Rome.[8]
Splits
editCekada states that a split took place in the SSPV, which resulted from the SSPV's intrinsic distrust of a centralized authority as existed in the SSPX, which makes the latter vulnerable to being "subverted with one stroke of a pen" to the Vatican. Rather than independent congregations being a weakness and something to be lamented, Cekada considers all such groups and priests taken together preferable to the SSPX, which has continued to hold negotiations with Rome and uses the 1962 Missal.[9]
Episcopal orders
editOn 19 October 1993, Clarence Kelly was consecrated a bishop in Carlsbad, California, United States, by Bishop Alfredo Méndez-Gonzalez, the retired Bishop of Arecibo, Puerto Rico.
Structures
editThe SSPV currently has five permanent priories, and its priests serve a network of chapels, churches, and temporary Mass locations in 14 US states (as of 2023[update]) and one Canadian province (Alberta).[10][11]
Superiors general
edit- Clarence Kelly (1983–2023)
- William Jenkins (2024–)
Associated religious communities
editThe Congregation of Saint Pius V (CSPV) is a Society of Common Life for priests and coadjutor brothers, founded by Bishop Kelly in 1996. The CSPV was formed to provide a canonical structure for the incardination of priests and the affiliation of religious. The congregation operates Immaculate Heart Seminary in Round Top, New York, for its candidates, under the direction of Bishop James Carroll, CSPV. The seminary's graduates are ordained by Bishop Carroll, Bishop Santay, or Bishop Kelly. As of 2022, the CSPV has two bishops, eleven priests, and five brothers.[12]
References
edit- ^ a b c "The Bulletin of the Society of St. Pius V - September 2024" (PDF). www.dropbox.com. Retrieved 9 October 2024.
- ^ Keating, Karl (February 9, 2013). "A Church of One". Catholic Answers Magazine. Retrieved June 1, 2025.
- ^ Historical Tidbit: Sedevacantism Debate with SSPV Clergy and Indult Traditionalists (c 1995). Novus Ordo Watch. Jan 2, 2024. Retrieved June 1, 2025 – via YouTube.
...with regard to the status of John Paul II, in my opinion, I do not think that he is the vicar of Christ. (Clarence Kelly)
- ^ The objection to St Joseph's inclusion is unrelated to his sanctity. Many Catholics felt that St Joseph had historically and generally been overlooked, if not slighted. Pope John XXIII’s addition of St Joseph into the Canon in 1962 was seen as the "personal wish of the pope" (Amerio 89). Some Catholics feel that St Joseph's non-martyr status disqualifies him from inclusion in the Canon. (Amerio, Romano. Iota Unum: A Study of the Changes in the Catholic Church in the 20th Century. Trans. Rev. Fr. John P. Parsons. Kansas City: Sarto House, 1996.).
- ^ Catholic Family Podcast. Bishop Donald Sanborn Explains The Cassiciacum Thesis. 18 February 2022.
- ^ "The Nine vs. Lefebvre: We Resist You to Your Face | Articles: SSPX: Society of St. Pius X | Traditional Latin Mass Resources". www.traditionalmass.org. Retrieved 2020-02-16.
- ^ Heiner, Stephen (2008-10-07). "True Restoration: An Interview with Fr. Anthony Cekada regarding Archbishop Lefebvre and the 1983 split with the SSPX". True Restoration. Retrieved 2020-02-16.
- ^ "Canon 188.4 or Where is the Church | Articles: Sedevacantism Pope Issue | Traditional Latin Mass Resources". www.traditionalmass.org. Retrieved 2020-02-16.
- ^ Cekada, Rev. Anthony (October 2008). "The Nine vs. Lefebvre: We Resist You to Your Face (2008)" (PDF). traditionalmass.org. p. 14.
- ^ "Bulletin IHM-Church, Black Eagle, Montana". www.ihm-church.org. Retrieved 27 July 2023.
- ^ Society & Congregation of Saint Pius V Mass Locations.
- ^ Congregation of Saint Pius V (CSPV). Christmas 2022 Immaculata.