Open Letter To Confused Catholics

One would think that 163 pages is not much room to analyze the Crisis while also laying down the way ahead. Archbishop Lefebvre manages to prove that idea wrong. The good Archbishop thoroughly explains why Catholics ought to be confused and concerned. This book was written in 1986 so some of the statistics are outdated but, perhaps unfortunately, all these years later things aren't much better and the reasons for confusion are largely the same, if not worse. On the outside vocations are dropping, religious houses are closing and Catholics no longer behave as Catholics. The book mentions that the only state in Europe that hasn't legalized abortion is Catholic Ireland. This is no longer true and it's a stretch to call Ireland Catholic today. Are all of these causes for concern due to bad prelates and a lack of catechism? These are indeed problems, but Archbishop Lefebvre shows that the Crisis is much deeper. It is a doctrinal crisis caused by Vatican II and the triumph of Liberalism and Modernism in the Church. As he says, "if we look carefully, it is by means of its slogan that the Revolution has penetrated the Church. 'Liberty' -this is the religious liberty we spoke of earlier, which confers rights on error. 'Equality' -collegiality and the destruction of personal authority, the authority of God, of the Pope, of the bishops; in a word, majority rule. Finally, 'Fraternity' is represented by ecumenism" (pp 98). The Archbishop shows how the errors of Vatican II were condemned by the Popes for over a hundred years before the Council then embraced at the Council. This is not merely a battle for liturgical preferences or an older way of life but for the Faith, that is Tradition, itself. Finally Msgr. Lefebvre lays out what we confused Catholics are to do. Are we to take radical or theoretical positions about the Church or hierarchy? Are we to start our own Church? Are we to simply do as we please until some incredible miracle fixes everything? No! Our acts are to be simply Catholic. We are to adhere to Tradition (the Faith and how it has been traditionally taught and practiced) and pass it on. He calls on families, "families who are faithful to Tradition are also large families and their very faith ensures their posterity. 'Increase and multiply!' By keeping to what the Church has always taught you will ensure the future" (pp 158). The errors of today have already been condemned, we must simply adhere to the teaching of the Church. We must beseech Rome to return to Tradition, to once more condemn these errors now rampant in the Church. This book is just as timely today as it was forty years ago. Today there are other 'traditional' groups and spokesmen who fight for the Mass of all time but none of them will claim that the very Faith itself is at risk. The Archbishop, and subsequently the Society of Saint Pius X, give the clear proofs of the doctrinal errors. This difference in stance and analysis is what truly won me over to the SSPX (from Novus Ordo to diocesan TLM to SSPX). Archbishop Lefebvre passed on all that he had been given to the Society. Open Letter to Confused Catholics is well worth the read for anyone trying to understand this crisis and hold true to the Church.

Wonderful book by Archbishop Lefebvre. Highly recommend.

For truth seekers on matters regarding Vatican II council, this letter explains all, reverses confusion and encourages Church Militant to carry on fighting for Holy Mother the Church, the salvation of souls.

After attending novus ordo Catholic schools up to the college level, it was truly a great revelation to learn about the Latin Mass. Only after praying the Rosary and returning to Confession was this sinner lead by Grace to the SSPX....in the words of Fr. Gregory Post the Church will eventually see the "canonization of the Archbishop." Reading traditional Catholic books is certainly a must in the conversion process.

Explains so much that's happening today from the perspective of almost 50 years ago. As a man in his late twenties, it makes me sad what we lost after the council that I never got to live in, but all the more to give thanks to God for his courageous servant Lefebvre!