The Roman Catholic Quarterly

Excerpt from Volume 3 Spring 1990

by Bishop Louis Vezelis, OFM

Published by the Franciscan Press

3376 Mt. Read Blvd

Rochester, NY 14646

Part 1:

St. Thomas Aquinas and Econe

Before me is a letter addressed to "Friends and Benefactors" of Marcel Lefebvre's sect. It is written by the sect's leader in the United States, Mr. Richard Williamson alias "Bishop Richard Williamson". But before analyzing this letter for its truth content, it may be useful to set the reader's mind at ease concerning the letter's author.

Although I know many fine Englishmen, I also know that perhaps the greatest show on earth, next to the Shoah, is that performed in the name of religion and is known as the Anglican Church. Now, Anglicans are those who broke away from the Roman Catholic Church in the time of King Henry VIII. Since that time until the present, this very large heretical sect has continued. It claims to have a valid priesthood. Mr. Williamson is an Englishman and it would not be completely absurd to suspect that he has some of that temperament in his bloodlines. You see, the Anglicans will argue with you 'til doomsday that they have a valid priesthood despite the fact that Pope Leo XIII definitively and dogmatically declared that Anglican Orders are invalid. Truth does not seem to be acceptable to Anglicans unless it is their truth. But then, in such a case we do not have objective truth, we have apparent truth.

The Archbishop of Canterbury, occupant of the vacant see of that Roman Catholic Archdiocese in England, is a good example of "sedevacantism", and its practical application. Mr. Runcie, who has been appointed by the head of the Anglican Church, Queen Elizabeth (forerunner of women popes?), presents himself on the world stage dressed in episcopal attire familiar to Roman Catholics. He is even hailed as the "Archbishop of Canterbury". He is surrounded by all kinds of "bishops" and "priests" and other lesser "ecclesiastics". Paul VI had many secret meetings with Mr. Runcie's representatives. Paul VI defied the dogmatic decree of Pope Leo XIII and gave Mr. Runcie a gold chalice when Mr. Runcie visited Paul VI in Rome.

Much to the delight of the Anglicans, hardly anyone noticed that the "emperor was naked", that is, that the Archbishop was not really an Archbishop at all! But, Pope Leo XIII did; and he told the entire Catholic world- and anyone else who would listen.

In his encyclical letter, APOTOLICAE CURAE, Pope Leo XIII, speaking as the Vicar of Jesus Christ on earth, solemnly stated: " We decree that the present Letter and the whole of its contents cannot at any time be attacked or impugned on the ground of subreption, obreption, or defect in Our intention, or any defect whatsoever; but that it is to be inviolably observed both judicially and extrajudicially by all persons of whatsoever degree or preeminence; and We declare null and void any attempt to the contrary which may be made wittingly or unwittingly concerning the same by any person, by any authority, or under any pretext whatsoever, all things to the contrary notwithstanding."

What did Pope Leo XIII so solemnly decree in the year of the Incarnation of Our Lord 1896 (almost 100 years ago!)? He decreed: "Therefore adhering entirely to the decrees of the Pontiffs Our Predecessors on this subject, and fully ratifying and renewing them by Our authority, on Our own initiative and with certain knowledge, We pronounce and declare that the ordinations performed according to the Anglican rite have been and are completely null and void."