Canon Law or Church History? The SSPX Schism

 

Written by Pete Vere

Concerning the July 1 Society of St Pius X (SSPX) episcopal consecrations and the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith’s (DDF) decree declaring excommunication, many have reached out to me as a retired canonist and Catholic apologist — one who once specialized in the SSPX’s 1988 consecrations and excommunication. Sifting through contradictory and often confusing commentary of clergy, canonists, and Catholic apologists, I sympathize with fellow Catholics struggling to wrap their heads around what has taken place.

Speaking candidly, I too am struggling to understand the sudden breakdown of relations between Rome and Écône. It seems quite sudden following Pope Francis’s death. What I did not imagine was finding clarity through Wayne Gretzky. Yes, Canada’s retired hockey legend.

Appealing to a professional athlete to resolve ecclesiastical schism feels sacrilegious, if not sardonic. Ironic in that the consecrations took place Canada Day (July 1st) and I am the only Canadian I know who does not follow hockey. Yet I retired from canon law and apologetics precisely to devote more time and energy to my family — which now includes coaching my children’s activities.

Gretzky is the source of the first lessons I pass on when teaching young people: “I skate to where the puck is going to be, not where it has been.”

At lunch with the poor

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San Diego Japanese Christian Church 07.12.2026

 

We call this SoNoGo - South Park-North Park-Golden Hill & Our Mission: to see the baptized who live in SoNoGo worship in SoNoGo 

San Diego Japanese Christian Church

OMS Holiness Church of North America

San Diego Japanese Christian Church (SDJCC) is here to share the good news that a dynamic relationship with Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord is the key to abundant living in today’s world. Our church was founded as an outreach to Japanese speaking farmers in San Diego County over 80 years ago. SDJCC now has English and Japanese speaking ministries. It’s easy to miss, tucked away at the elbow of 19th and E streets just above Interstate 5: the Japanese American Christian Church in Golden Hill. You’d most likely drive past this humble place of worship on the way up Broadway without noticing it, but if you happened to be on a stroll down E Street looking at the nice old houses, you’d stumble upon it after the bigger homes give way to a series of California bungalows. It’s there before E turns right into 19th. Across the street from the church, a chain-link fence lines the sidewalk above the 5 where the homeless set up camp on a regular basis before they are swept out and relocated only to return again when the police shift their attention elsewhere. Historically, the church itself is a product of a relocation of a different sort. As my City College colleague, historian Susan Hasegawa informed me, it was originally founded as the Japanese Holiness Church by Christian Nikkei (immigrants and their descendents) in 1930 and located on Newton Avenue. Sponsored by the Oriental Mission Society, the church focused its efforts on outreach to Issei (first generation immigrant) farmers.

Trinity North Park 07.12.2026

 

 We call this SoNoGo - South Park-North Park-Golden Hill & Our Mission: to see the baptized who live in SoNoGo worship in SoNoGo

Trinity United Methodist Church

The United Methodist Church

Trinity United Methodist Church has been part of the North Park community since 1915, bringing warmth and connection to our neighbors for over 100 years. We seek to KNOW, LOVE, and SERVE God and our neighbors through study, worship, community events, outreach and service projects, and having fun together! We'd love to have you join us as we grow in faith and love here in North Park.

Christ United Presbyterian San Diego 07.12.2026

 

We call this SoNoGo - South Park-North Park-Golden Hill & Our Mission: to see the baptized who live in SoNoGo worship in SoNoGo

Christ United Presbyterian Church of San Diego

What Is The Presbyterian Church (USA)

Christ United Presbyterian Church is a congregation of the Presbyterian Church (USA). Rev. Dr. Kerry Allison is the pastor of this parish church in South Park. We were established in 1981 when an invitation was extended to two churches—Brooklyn Heights Presbyterian, established in 1921 and the Golden Hill Presbyterian, established in 1956—to merge and each church accepted. The late Reverend Doctor George Walker Smith founded Golden Hill Presbyterian Church in 1956 with support from the Presbyterian Women organization. The church, located at 22nd and Market in South Park, became a human rights leader in San Diego as the congregation grew. Reverend Smith was the first black school board member in San Diego. May he rest in peace and rise in glory. Christ United continues its ministry in power and presence to the present day. All are welcome to join us in worship and togetherness. 

Makers Church 07.12.2026

 

 We call this SoNoGo - South Park-North Park-Golden Hill & Our Mission: to see the baptized who live in SoNoGo worship in SoNoGo

Makers Church

Southern Baptists Explained in 2 Minutes

Makers church was founded in 2010 as MOSAIC San Diego. In 2017 we became Makers Church. Two years later, in another act of faith, Makers Church and North Park Baptist, a dynamic community with almost 100 years of legacy and ministry, chose to merge into something beautiful and new.

Renew San Diego 07.12.2026

 

 We call this SoNoGo - South Park-North Park-Golden Hill & Our Mission: to see the baptized who live in SoNoGo worship in SoNoGo

Renew San Diego

What is the Reformed Church in America?

Since Easter of 2018 we’ve met weekly on Sundays and developed our capacity to serve our neighbors, especially those in great need spiritually, physically or emotionally. At Renew, you’ll find a community that reflects the diversity of center-city San Diego. We welcome and include people of every ethnicity and culture, believing and unbelieving (most of us a mixture of these), wealthy and poor, inclusive of sexual orientation and marital status.

Explaining the SSPX Issue

 

Jul 3, 2026

Many faithful of the Church misperceive the issue of the Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX) as simply being a problem with the newer liturgical form celebrated by the Catholic Church. The real disagreement they have with the Church is actually much deeper and wider than that. Who are the SSPX? Why have they been excommunicated again from the Church? What should our attitude be towards this society and their current state? Rev. Deacon Professor Dr Sherman Kuek OFS, Cornelius Cardinal Sim Professor of Theology and Dialogue, thinks aloud as an ecclesial public theologian on matters related to faith and society.

North Park Presbyterian Church 07.12.2026

 

 We call this SoNoGo - South Park-North Park-Golden Hill & Our Mission: to see the baptized who live in SoNoGo worship in SoNoGo

North Park Presbyterian Church

Presbyterian Church in America (PCA)

 North Park Presbyterian is a church committed to Christ and His mission for the glory of God and the good of the world. NPP started as a church plant in 2014 with the vision to see people come to know and love Jesus throughout San Diego. We believe Jesus accomplishes his mission in the world through preaching the gospel, planting churches, and loving our neighbors. Pastor Adriel was ordained in 2013 after graduating from Westminster Seminary in California. He served as an assistant pastor prior to planting NPP. Alongside pastoring NPP, Pastor Adriel is the host of a daily call-in Bible answer program called Core Christianity. You can listen to it at www.corechristianity.com/radio. North Park Presbyterian Church is a part of the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA).  The PCA is a Reformed Christian denomination that places a high emphasis on the teachings of the Bible.

Grace Church San Diego 07.12.2026

 

  We call this SoNoGo - South Park-North Park-Golden Hill & Our Mission: to see the baptized who live in SoNoGo worship in SoNoGo

Grace San Diego

Southern Baptists Explained in 2 Minutes

Grace San Diego was established in 1912. The church has a wonderful history which included, under the leadership of Dr. TimLaHaye, the founding of Christian High School, Christian Heritage College (Now San Diego Christian College) and Institute for Creation Research. Grace, for several years, was known as “Scott Memorial Baptist” before the name was changed to Grace Church San Diego in 2009. Today, we continue to grow with a strong foundation on Biblical truth with a message of God’s grace, love and hope all anchored in the sacrifice of Jesus Christ!