30 July 2026

Last Saturday, there was an interesting act of worship on the island of Papa Stronsay in the Orkney Islands. It took place in the chapel at the Golgotha Monastery and lasted four hours. Three bishops from South America consecrated Father Michael Mary, the Superior of the Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer, a bishop.

The consecrating bishops were unauthorised by Pope Leo to conduct this act of consecration. As such is was considered to be a  schismatic act. Prior to this, the Society of St. Pius chose to ordain four new bishops without the authorisation of the Pope. It constitutes an act of schism.

Michael Mary’s consecration comes late in life. He is now 73 and without this consecration the future of the order would be in jeopardy. It is only bishops who can confirm new communicants and ordain new priests so a bishop is essential for the future well-being of the community.

Listening to what some of the members say is disheartening. Like many other splinter groups, they talk about being ‘the true church’ and Christ has promised to be with ‘His one and Only Church until the end of time’. For Scottish Presbyterians, the true church is where the Word is rightly preached and the Sacraments celebrated.

The Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer have got to this position over the views they hold about Vatican II and, in particular, the changes in worship which outlawed the Tridentine Mass and became much more Protestant in its use of the vernacular, the emphasis on preaching and a re-orientated priesthood.

Division within such a robust institution as the Roman Catholic Church is not common. One of the attractions of this old Latin Mass is the sense of mystery which it preserves in the Latin tongue, the quietly spoken words of the priest and the hidden ritual. Mystery is to be welcomed in our worship  but at this price?