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On Geocentrism, the Magisterium, and the Errors of Archbishop Lefebvre

June 9, 2025

Dear Fr. K:

I commend you on your pursuit of truth in regard to geocentrism. We need more faithful priests like you to know, embrace and teach what the Church has always taught. Thank you for your courage and witness.  

In regard to your comment about there still being freedom to be heliocentrists because the doctrine has not been defined, I would add that we need to be careful to follow the Church's Profession of Faith, which requires religious submission of intellect and will to truths which the Magisterium has authentically proposed (the truth of geocentrism and the falsity of heliocentrism being two such truths, based on the Scriptures and consensus of the Fathers). This is precisely why I as a Catholic apologist entered into this debate over 15 years ago; because our counterparts were arguing that since the 16th century decrees were not "infallible," they could be dismissed. 

While a case could be made that these teachings are infallible by the Ordinary and Universal Magisterium (on the ground that all the bishops dispersed throughout the would have held the 16th century propositions as definitive truths), these propositions, at a minimum, require our assent of intellect and will. 

Regarding your comments about Abp Lefebvre - if you wish, we can have a separate off-line discussion about him. I spent 15 years with the SSPX, and after having spent the tail end of those years critically studying Lefebvre's books and letters, and the Society's doctrinal positions, I came to recognize the many errors and even heresies Lefebvre promoted, which unfortunately are little known, in the "trad world." While Lefebvre fought to preserve the traditional Mass (which I have attended for 20 years), his doctrinal errors on canonical mission, supplied jurisdiction, episcopal consecration, Collegiality, sacramental intention, etc. etc. cannot be overlooked. We address many of these errors at www.trueorfalsepope.com. I still maintain close friendships with a number of Society priests who I believe are men of goodwill (and can tell you many of them feel "stuck" and betrayed by those within the SSPX who formed them). 

I pray that we all have the wisdom to recognize the errors that have sprung forth from both the Liberal Left and the Liberal extreme Right. Indeed, the errors on the extreme Right can be even more pernicious, because they end by leading souls right out of the Church. 

In Christo Rex,

John Salza

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