SSPX: The Defence

As I have been trying to find an area with a reverent Catholic mass, I can not ignore or stay ignorant of the "situation" with the SSPX. There are many articles, opinions and speculations about what Archbishop Lefebvre and the priests of the SSPX mean to the Catholic Church, but none portray the entire picture surrounding the now almost half century debate as well as Kennedy Hall does with his "Defence". The book is written for all to understand and presents the large picture that is often missing during any discussion of the SSPX. I found his arguments cogent, albeit with a bit too much emotion at times (little digs as to the intellectual abilities of detractors - while perhaps warranted - only seek to minimize his excellent arguments). The book presents the whole story, start to finish, truly leaving no question unasked or answered. Thank you for shedding light on this perplexing situation. I can now, with much more understanding, continue my comparison of Archbishop Lefebvre with St. Athanasius contra mundum.

Pros: This book collects a treasury of information on the "status" of the SSPX in the most concise format available today and provides clear citations and logical conclusions from said sources. Previously most of these sources were scattered through various periodicals and books, some now out of print. I thank Mr. Hall for putting them all between two covers and presenting them in a topical way. This provides us with an accessible edition to give to questioning friends and family.Cons: I found one typo. Sometimes the tone is a little bit polemical and unobjective but not overly so. Some of the "newer objections" against the SSPX and Abp. Lefebvre aren't really addressed in a way that dispels the anti-traditionalist narratives entirely, relying on an inherent trust of the Traditionalist point of view which may not apply to all readers.Overall I still think it deserves 5 stars and will certainly open the eyes of any searchers of good will. I particularly found his Chapter on the Incardination question to be especially revealing and it summarize much that I couldn't glean from a reading of the documents myself.

I found the book very easy to read. I have read other books about the SSPX. Many times the explanations require you to have some prior knowledge of canon law, theology, etc. This book was able to provide a basic but still complex enough explanation of the SSPX situation.Before you even start the book, just understand the SSPX situation is complicated. It just is. It certainly is not Marcel Lefebvre or the SSPX fault that is it complicated. It just is.There were a few times I think My Kennedy went into the weeds more than he needed to. I know Mr Kennedy was trying to answer the critics, but many of those critics don't deserve to be answered. They are just spouting venom and anyone of good will can see it.Go ahead and get an extra copy to hand to your friend or colleague!Nice work Kennedy - even if Defence is spelled wrong on the cover and spelled correctly at least once in the book (by Fr. Murr)! :)

Truth is reality

The SSPX is not schismatic, contrary to what you have heard from some voices in mainstream Catholicism. Kennedy Hall explains why in this excellent volume with precision, approachability, and grace. It boils down to the fact that one can never anathematize or get rid of the truths which Sacred Tradition and Sacred Scripture impart. The traditional Mass and the traditional teaching of the Church, being informed by Tradition and Scripture, are things which—even though attempts of their suppression are made—can never be abolished. One day, through God’s grace, Archbishop Lefebvre will be vindicated and the Church will abandon political correctness—striving with renewed vigor to win souls for Christ.

Not saying SSPX isn't necessary because there are clearly some bishops so against the Traditional Latin Mass that they want it banned from their diocese outright. And in those cases, it seems as if SSPX may be able to make the older versions of the missal more acceptible; however, in regions where there are other, less dubious, Orders of Priests those congregations should be supported. Especially now with Traditionis Custodes suppressing the 1962 and older Missals, we must support our legitimate priests that are in excellent standing with the Church.And if those orders are made to correct their constitutions to reflect new liturgies, then maybe supportting SSPX would be fair to do but always first and formost support what is openly sanctioned.

I’m still reading the book, however I feel like if you just watch all of Kennedy’s on line content you probably don’t need to purchase. However it’s good to have a hard print to all the sources Kennedy lists. Keep up the good work Mr Hall!

The book is a great example of how to argue a position. Mr Hall is a person who has done his research and who has laid out a compelling compilation of the position of the Society of St Pius the Tenth (SSPX) the priestly order founded by Archbishop Lefebvre back 1970. I am far from being the scholar that Mr Hall is, I am just a new convert to Catholicism who remember the controversy back in 1978 and picked up this book to help me understand it both in history and in the present.The book does an excellent job of doing exactly that. It is comforting to know that there are intellectuals in the Church who can take on subjects and help make sense of them.Highly recommend it to ALL Catholics.

Muy buen libro.

Amazing book…love Kennedy Hall! Everyone needs to read this!

Thank you Mr Hall for this book. I will be recommending it to anyone who asks me or falsely criticises the sspx to me from now on. We pray that all the traditional catholics unite and bring the Catholic church back to tradition again and that Archbishop Lefebvre is canonised. God bless you and look forward to reading your other books 🙏