Rorate Caeli has the scoop on what is, if you think about it, a not-entirely-surprising story:
It was only a matter of time. Ever since Bishop Richard Williamson eventually caused the Society of Saint Pius X (FSSPX / SSPX) to force his own expulsion from that Society in 2012, the watch has been on for him to consecrate one or more bishops. This became even more inevitable as he has failed to recruit any significant number of clergy or faithful away from the SSPX in a so-called “Resistance” attempt.
Rorate can now report at least one consecration will occur on March 19 (Feast of St. Joseph).
[Monastery of the Holy Cross/Santa Cruz, in Nova Friburgo, Brazil] According to our sources, Bishop Williamson plans to consecrate Fr. Jean-Michel Faure at the monastery of Santa Cruz (that also broke with the SSPX in 2012) in Nova Friburgo, a city in the state of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
[Site of the city of Nova Friburgo in Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil] Fr. Faure, who is 73, entered the SSPX seminary of Ecône in 1972 and was ordained a priest by Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre in 1977.He had previously been Superior of the SSPX District of South America and Rector of the Seminary of La Reja in Argentina. He openly manifested his disagreement with Bishop Fellay, the Superior General of the SSPX, and left the Society in 2013.We have also heard, but cannot confirm, that Bishop Williamson may also consecrate Fr. Innocent Marie.
Anyone familiar with Bishop Williamson’s peculiarities knows that keeping him in the fold until 2012 is one of the most damaging lapses in judgment on the part of SSPX leadership. The man’s opinions on world events are radioactive. He is a capable and compelling speaker, but his outspokenness on controversial topics over the years is, I believe, one of the main reasons that a huge number of Catholics think the SSPX is a crazy schismatic cult and mainstream trads are little better.
You’ll note that I said the news of these episcopal consecrations is “not-entirely-surprising.” Not entirely because I admit I didn’t see it coming: the man just turned 75. I’d think that by now he would have retired from his life of ecclesiastical crime in favor of a few quiet years free of scandal and conflict.
Alas, it wasn’t meant to be.
I do hope this helps draw a more clear contrast between the truly schismatic mindset of a man like Williamson and the more down-to-earth difficulties that the SSPX find themselves faced with. Despite their long association, they are not the same.
