First of all, let us clarify: Don Jaime Mercant Simó is not “Lefebvrian,” but a diocesan priest with several doctorates, a professor at the Center for Theological Studies, and director of the library of his diocese (Majorca). His extensive biography is attached at the bottom*. Although we do not individually share every passage of his declaration (shared on X), we report it below as it is useful for clearing the field of much nonsense circulated in recent days.

Furthermore, here are some references for broader materials: on the theme of obedience, [see] this article; on the theme of the nullity of the 1988 excommunication, see this study by Prof. Pasqualucci. Finally, as always, to understand the ongoing ecclesiastical and social crisis in depth and without discouragement, we invite you to explore: Parole chiare sulla Chiesa, Golpe nella Chiesa, Buona filosofia e contro–storia filosofica. Dall’antichità pagana ad oggi, La rivoluzione guardata negli occhi. Un libro che spiega il passato e racconta il futuro, Magistero Politico – Insegnamenti papali sulla politica per l’instaurazione di un ordine cristiano, L’illusione liberale.

LEFEBVRIAN QUESTIONS

Several of my readers have asked me for information regarding the upcoming episcopal consecrations of the Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX). Here is my position, expressed in a pedagogical form through questions and answers:

Will the Lefebvrians sin mortally with these episcopal consecrations? — No, absolutely not.

Is this not a schismatic act? — No, formally it is not.

Why is it formally not so? — Because, for a “perfect schism” to occur, there must be a clear intention to perform a schismatic act and to establish, with the new bishops, a hierarchical jurisdiction parallel to the existing one in the Roman Catholic Church. In this case, neither will occur.

Could it be, at least, an act of disobedience? — Yes, in fact it is, at least materially, since Rome does not want these consecrations to be celebrated.

So, do they sin mortally for disobedience? — Not even that, because, in this case, the intention of the SSPX authority, of the consecrators, and of the future consecrated seems upright. They invoke the “state of necessity,” which would justify “material disobedience.” In this regard, we have no objective reasons to doubt their conscience or their upright intention, which is the good of the souls they assist.

But a “latae sententiae” excommunication—automatic and immediate—will occur, right? — From a canonist perspective, yes, but, from my modest point of view, such an excommunication will be null; I believe sufficient theological and philosophical-legal reasons exist to conclude this, although I know that most canonists will deny it to me from a purely legalistic point of view. However, I believe that, in addition to the “state of necessity” being a fundamental motive, the “formal reason” for which such a penalty should actually occur is lacking, given that there is no objective intention of formal schism nor will a parallel jurisdiction be created, I repeat.

Did Msgr. Lefebvre receive the penalty of excommunication? — Yes, just as these bishops will surely receive it, but his excommunication was also null, since, in the supernatural plan of the Mystical Body, that bishop never ceased to be in communion with the Church.

What do you mean by this? — The essence of communion is threefold: doctrinal, sacramental, and hierarchical. I estimate, therefore, that Bishop Lefebvre and, by extension, the SSPX, have not denied any of these three “essential dimensions” of ecclesial communion.

Is the SSPX in doctrinal communion? — Certainly, it has never ceased to teach what the Church has always believed.

But don’t the Lefebvrians always question the documents of the Second Vatican Council? — They do not make a total critique, as is commonly believed, given that, in their texts, elements exist that are part of the “depositum fidei,” but they address, with a critical spirit, certain “delicate” questions in which theological discussion is legitimate.

How can you say such a barbarity? — I can say it because the very “nature” of the Council allows me to.

What do you mean by that? — I mean that Vatican II was a council of a “pastoral nature,” not dogmatic, and therefore did not enjoy the charism of infallibility, because, at no time, was there a desire to define or condemn anything infallibly; this was the express decision of the majority of the council fathers. However, in the post-conciliar era, despite this “pastoral nature,” some would claim to convert said council into a “superdogma.”

“Superdogma”? That is a lack of respect. Why do you use the Lefebvrian narrative? — I am employing, in fact, the same words as Joseph Ratzinger, who, during a visit to the Chilean bishops (1988), used these very terms.

On the other hand, is it true that the SSPX is in sacramental communion? — Their sacraments are not only valid, but are celebrated according to the traditional rites that the Church has employed since time immemorial.

But it is evident that the SSPX is not in hierarchical communion, right? — Although, at a canonical level, its “institutional situation” is irregular and imperfect, the Society does not cease to recognize the Pope of Rome as the supreme pastor of the universal Church. In fact, it also recognizes and respects the jurisdiction of all the bishops of the Catholic world.

Give me proof of what you are saying? — In every Mass of the SSPX, without exception, the priests name, in the “Canon of the Mass,” the Pope and the local Bishop.

Is this not a very weak argument? — By God, it is not at all. The most formal and public manifestation of hierarchical recognition is precisely given in the Holy Mass, specifically in the Canon.

Are you Lefebvrian or pro-Lefebvrian? — Neither one nor the other, sir; I go my own way. I am simply a Catholic and, as such, I have a critical spirit—that is, the good habit of using reason and the judgment of discernment.

But it seems you agree with the SSPX on everything? — No, I do not. In certain attitudes and questions I do not agree, but these, from my point of view, are secondary and accidental. In the “essential,” I agree 100% with the Society and, therefore, I will not contribute to its unjust and disproportionate public “demonization.”

Can you tell me what the essential is? — The “essential” is its “catholicity.” Period.

But doesn’t the “drift” of the Lefebvrians worry you? — I am more worried about the crowd of heterodox, blasphemers, and sacrilegious people who are everywhere, especially in Germany. I am also disturbed by the double standard that seems to exist in applying penalties and censures by the ecclesiastical authority.

So, what solution do you see to the current Lefebvrian problem? — In the first place, I believe that Rome should be benevolent and formally accept the consecration of these next bishops, while simultaneously recognizing the spiritual fruits of the apostolate of the SSPX. I believe this would be a true gesture of mercy and intelligence; both things are not mutually exclusive.

Don’t you fear that, for these opinions, they will criticize you? — No, because I am a priest of the Catholic Church, not the pastor of a sect, and, therefore, with respect I can and must exercise, in my life of faith, the true freedom of the children of God.

*Ecco la traduzione precisa in lingua inglese della biografia di Don Jaime Mercant Simó:

*Priest of the Diocese of Majorca, born in Palma on December 6, 1980, and ordained on October 14, 2007; member of the Thomas Aquinas International Society; Doctor of Thomistic Studies (Philosophy) from the Abat Oliba CEU University (Barcelona), with an extraordinary doctorate award; Doctor of Law and Social Sciences from UNED (Madrid), specializing in “Legal Philosophy”; and Licentiate in Sacred Theology from the Catholic University of Toulouse (France), specializing in “Tradition thomiste et pensée médiévale.”

He obtained his first doctorate on May 15, 2017, with the grade of sobresaliente cum laude (the highest score), with the doctoral thesis The Metaphysics of Knowledge in Karl Rahner: Analysis of “Spirit in the World”, under the direction of the prestigious Thomist Rev. Ignacio Andereggen, Doctor of Theology and Doctor of Philosophy, and with Msgr. Antonio Livi, Dean Emeritus of the Faculty of Philosophy at the Pontifical Lateran University of Rome, as president of the evaluation committee.

He obtained his second doctorate on November 27, 2024, also with the mention cum laude, with the thesis titled The Philosophical Foundations of the Legal Doctrine of Domingo de Soto: Analysis of the Treatise “De iustitia et iure”, directed by Dr. Juan Antonio Gómez García (UNED) with Dr. Sixto Sánchez-Lauro, Professor at the University of Extremadura and member of the Royal Academy of Jurisprudence and Legislation of Spain, as president of the defense committee.

Among his publications, the following stand out: his first doctoral thesis, The Metaphysics of Knowledge in Karl Rahner: Analysis of “Spirit in the World” (Gerona: Documenta Universitaria, 2018, 1069 pp.); The Philosophical Foundations of Karl Rahner’s Transcendental Theology (Rome: Casa Editrice Leonardo da Vinci, 2017, 240 pp.); together with Msgr. Antonio Livi and Dr. Samuele Pinna, The Doctrinal Value of Christian Teaching after Vatican II: The Interpretation of the Catholic Faith according to Karl Rahner (Rome: Casa Editrice Leonardo da Vinci, 2019, 272 pp.); and his second doctoral thesis, The Legal Philosophy of Domingo de Soto (Salamanca: UPSA Ediciones, 2025).

He obtained his canonical Licentiate in Sacred Theology on June 21, 2021, with the grade of sobresaliente, defending the thesis titled Ramon Llull et sa doctrine antiaverroïste de la création devant la question “de aeternitate mundi”. Currently, he is pursuing his third doctorate in Theology at the same Catholic University of Toulouse.

At the pastoral level, he has been the parish priest, since the years 2013-2014, of the parishes of Son Servera, Sant Llorenç des Cardassar, and Son Carrió. Since 2020, he has been a Professor of Philosophy at the Center for Theological Studies of Majorca (CETEM), director of its Diocesan Library, and a member of the Association of Church Librarians in Spain (Spanish Episcopal Conference).

Follow Radio Spada on: