The Validity of Confessions and Marriages
in the chapels of the Society of St. Pius X

A CANONICAL STUDY

by Rev. Ramón Anglés

10. SUMMARY AND CONCLUSION

Our intention has been to prove juridically the validity of confessions and marriages in the chapels of the Priestly Society of Saint Pius X, in order to give peace of mind to our faithful, and also to answer logically the illogical pretenses of our antagonists.

We have presented superabundant canonical evidence to back our claim, and we wish to summarize it as follows:

* Our confessions and marriages are valid on the grounds of COMMON ERROR.

* Our confessions and marriages are valid in DANGER OF DEATH.

* Our marriages are valid on the grounds of the EXTRAORDINARY CANONICAL FORM FOR MARRIAGE.

* Our marriages and confessions are valid on the grounds of the RIGHT OF THE FAITHFUL ASKING FOR THEM, a right which they legitimately exercise even when they have recourse to a priest who is excommunicated or suspended.

* Our marriages and confessions are valid on the grounds of SUPPLIANCE IN CASE OF POSITIVE PROBABLE DOUBT, embracing all the aforementioned cases.

* In the absurdity that the Society of Saint Pius X would be a schismatic group, our confessions would be valid on the grounds of the new canonical doctrine of SACRAMENTAL HOSPITALITY, and our marriages would be valid as well since the New Code EXEMPTS FROM CANONICAL FORM THOSE WHO HAVE LEFT THE CHURCH.

In conclusion, a dilemma for our opponents:

IF THE SOCIETY OF SAINT PIUS X IS OUTSIDE THE CHURCH, both marriages and confessions are valid according to New Code Canons 844, 2 and 1117;

IF THE SOCIETY OF SAINT PIUS X IS NOT OUTSIDE THE CHURCH, jurisdiction is supplied by the Church for marriages and confessions, because of common error, positive probable doubt, the right of the faithful asking for the Sacraments, and also in danger of death.

Saint Mary’s College, January 1997

DEO GRATIAS ET MARIAE