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JMJ
June 1, 1993
SOME REASONS WHY I LEFT THE SSPX
Dear Parishioner:
It is hoped that this letter finds you and your loved ones in the best of health and benefiting from the graces of the season of Pentecost. The season of Pentecost reminds us of the importance of the Gifts of the Holy Ghost and the indwelling of the Blessed Trinity upon the soul.
I write to you amidst various rumors and accusations of being "mentally imbalanced," "bribed," "bought-off," etc. and also on account of the various letters written by Fr. Peter Scott and Fr. Doran concerning my departure from the Society of St. Pius X.
Fr. Scott in his letter to Fr. Angles of St. Marys, Kansas, and Fr. Doran in his letter to his parish express their anger, anguish and label of "scandal" concerning my departure. However, neither letter provides the reasons for my actions.
Why did I leave? For the past 20 months, I have addressed to Fr. Scott some observations which I (as well as others both priests and faithful alike) have made hoping that these issues would be investigated and rectified
Among these issues --
1) An overall "cultish" behavior on the part of some priests in the SSPX. For example: tactics of intimidation and fear on the faithful, public denunciations from the pulpit mentioning names and offenses, denying Sacraments to individuals not guilty of public sin, and a rigoristic and Jansenistic attitude. Many of these things have occurred in St. Marys, Kansas. One recent television interview of a former St. Marys' student revealed that he was among a group of students authorized and reportedly paid by the rector of St. Marys to "gang-up" on a student who was considered to be a trouble-maker, assail him, and shave his head. This was done. This incident, among others, is now being probed by the Kansas Bureau of Investigation.
2) An unhealthy attitude towards women, especially as expressed in various newsletters from the seminary. Some of these letters bring to our attention the need of modest attire, however, in an unusual way, without reference to Mary-like standards of modesty, but rather present Christian modesty in an insulting and degrading manner. Three separate letters or enclosures were devoted to the cause of modesty -- Slacks I, Slacks II , and Slacks III. In Slacks II, reference is made of the woman of the household wearing pants which means one of her sons is living with one of his own! Such statements weaken the credibility of the SSPX, especially since these letters are composed by one who holds a high position in the SSPX.
3) The use of the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius as an instrument of editorializing or expressing disdain towards the United States, its history, customs, and way of life. The Spiritual Exercises are formulated to attack sin amid its causes. Its outline starts with the hard truths of eternity, the existence/immortality of the soul, flowing onto death, judgement, hell, General Confession, mercy, and then the placid meditations. Nowhere in its formula is there an outline on attacking one's country, customs or way of life.
Sins and the occasions of sin are prevalent everywhere, not just confined to the borders of one particular nation. In the practical application of the Ignatian Exercises, the retreat master helps the retreatant to overcome past vices, improve one's meditation and spiritual life, and strive for sanctity, not to reduce one to despair, or to tear down one's heritage. Patriotism is also a virtue.
There are other issues, some more serious than those listed above, which prudence dictates that I keep private. Suffice it to say, that since the superiors of the SSPX did not wish to look into these issues, the faithful affected by them have brought them to the attention of civil authorities and law enforcement.
Before I left the SSPX, I had asked three times for a temporary leave of absence so that I could think things over and "look at the Society from a different angle." It was my intention to go to Montana for three months, and hopefully within that time, these issues would have been looked into and the process of resolving them could have started. However, I was refused this request, I left.
To remain in the SSPX in the presence of all this dysfunction, was a source of disquietude for my conscience. I could no longer enable a sick system to continue. I left the order so that I would not be affected, with the hopes that the superiors would do something about it.
After a while, people will no longer accept the letters saying that there are "trouble makers who want to run things," or priests who have an "independent spirit" and want to be out on their own and "disobedient," and a "bad spirit." More and more people are seeing what is occurring. For the time being, the superiors of the SSPX do not wish to look at the REAL issues of dysfunction within its walls. Yes, "Nobody's perfect" or "we all have faults," but such statements should indicate an effort of recovery, or improvement, not to remain in a sick system of denial. The real issue in the Society is not Fr. Rizzo leaving, because Fr. Rizzo is easily replaceable. The real issue is WHY Fr. Rizzo left. This issue must be dealt with because
SOULS ARE NOT REPLACEABLE!
In conclusion, please note that I have not solicited your support. I am simply giving you my side of the story. I humbly apologize if by my sudden departure I have caused you scandal, however, I have a conscience, formed by good parents with Catholic standards, and I'm going to follow it. From our Mother's knee we were all taught to avoid evil and overcome by good, to think for ourselves--(a God-given ability) and to love our Catholic Faith.
Please be assured of my prayers for you and yours, especially in the sublime mysteries of the Mass.
Sincerely in Christ,
REVEREND FATHER JOHN RIZZO
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