This week I ran across an article by a substack user by the name of TLM Respector. With that handle I knew the article was meant for me. I am no longer in substack……….or twitter for that matter so running across this was a stroke of luck.
TR (what I will call TLM respector for short) lives in Eastern Tennessee. He belonged to a thriving TLM Catholic community of 500+ of the faithful. They were thriving until the arrival of the new Leo Bishop and the Traditiones Custodas death march started. Although TR did not mention his name I am assuming the name of the culprit is Knoxville’s Bishop Mark Beckman, another Leo company man.
The Tennessee community was decimated! TR then decided action, constructive action, was the only course. So with a handful of fellow faithful decided the only course of action would be to build a private chapel using an old barn. You can read the story here. Below is a Ai generated view of the proposed chapel.
As with anything the project can only survive with donations of the faithful. TR writes this in the article
The task in front of us is clear: We need to build the chapel and continue bringing the fullness of Catholic life to the Catholics in East Tennessee. If you want to be a part of this, come find me (massfromthepast@protonmail.com). We’re a small group and could use all of the help we can get. Funds, of course, are needed. You can donate online (here) or mail checks to St. Francis Mission Chapel, P.O Box 27, New Market, TN 37820.
TR has since informed me there is a rift of sorts within his group. The centers around, you guessed it, alliance with the SSPX. In my opinion this is insane. The only hope of reestablishing the true faith is to unite behind the SSPX. They are our only hope and no they are not schismatic! I attend a SSPX chapel in Wisconsin. Every Sunday before mass a rosary and litany of St. Joseph is said with the intentions of the Holy Father. During the mass in the canon Leo is mentioned as our pope. Sure does sound like this is not a schismatic attempt to me.
The only traces, and I do mean traces, of schism come from attempts of Tucho Fernandez trying to play canon lawyer when he wrote up the bogus documents. Most REAL canon lawyers will tell you a 5 year old with his crayolas would make a more substantial legal document.
The reality of the options for TR are very limited. They could consider the ICKSP or the FSSP or any other ecclesia dei group but they will never come near it for one reason. In order to read the Latin mass they are in bed with Rome. When you sleep with Rome better not snore too loud. Besides its just a matter of time before Leo goes after the Ecclesia Dei groups. They are not part of his plans you see. As the line in the movie the Catholics states, “They are part of the church we left behind”.
For now the only way to preserve the faith is with the SSPX. No, they are not starting their own church, they are preserving what we have left. Its not just the Latin mass, its also doctrine, a doctrine Leo keeps shedding parts of as the months go by. As our Lord himself once said, “sell your cloaks and buy swords”. Good advice then, good advice now!
TR mentioned about finding a priest willing to associate with the SSPX. Well that task should be getting easier as 12 Novus ordo priests were just accepted by SSPX for affiliation. This was part of the Tucho master plan to pry people away from the Society. Its working too, but in reverse. Nice work Tucho!
Mean while in Knoxville the bishop keeps grabbing for straws while his little synodal world collapses around him. Truth is the Tradional mass, the traditional faith can not and will never be stopped. That is being proven in East Tennessee as I type.
The old phrase comes to mind, “United we stand, divided we fall” now is NOT the time for faithful TLM Catholics to fight among themselves.