The Validity of the Thuc Consecrations

Rev. Anthony Cekada DuringaconversationwithArchbishopMarcelLefebvrein1980,Ihintedabout myworriesoverfindingabishopafterhisdeathwhowouldordaintraditional Catholicpriestsandconfirmourchildren.

Thearchbishopatthattimehehadntindicatedwhetherhewouldoneday consecratebishopstactfullyrepliedthatthequestionworriedhim,too,and thatDeusprovidebitGodwillprovide.Headded,withoneofhis trademarkFrenchchuckles,thateachtimehehadacoughingorsneezingfitin theseminarychapelatEcne,hecouldalmosthearthe80seminarianssilently changetheirprayertojustoneferventpetition:God,lethimliveatleasttill heordainsme! Theamusinganecdotehighlightsaseriousissue:AstraditionalCatholics,the sacramentsarethecenterofourspirituallifeandthekeytooursalvation.We knowthatifwewanttohearMass,receiveHolyCommunion,haveoursins absolvedandbefortifiedbytheLastRites,weneedpriests.Andweknowthat onlybishopscanmakepriests. Where,then,canwegotofindbishopswhowillordaintraditionalCatholic priests,andthusensurethatthetraditionalLatinMasswillcontinuetobe celebratedatouraltars? ThelaityandclergyconnectedwiththeSocietyofSt.PiusX(nervous seminariansinparticular)needworrynolonger.On30June1988Abp.Lefebvre andtheretiredbishopofCampos,Brazil,AntoniodeCastroMayer,consecrated fourbishopsfortheSocietyofSt.PiusX.Thesebishopshavesinceordained morepriestsfortheSocietyandrecentlyconsecratedabishoptosucceedBp. MayerinCampos. TheLefebvrebishopslimittheirepiscopalministrationsonlytothosechapels andclergywhoacceptunquestioninglyalltheSocietystheologicalopinionsand whosurrenderlegalcontroloftheirpropertytotheSociety.Likewise,these bishopswillordaintothepriesthoodonlythoseseminarianswhoswearfealtyto theSocietyspositions.

ManytraditionalpriestsdisagreewiththeSocietyspositionsandpolicies. WecanhardlylooktoaLefebvrebishopifwewantchildrenfromourchapelsto receivetheSacramentofConfirmation.Stilllesscouldwefoundaseminaryto traintheclergywhowillonedaysucceedus,andthenimaginethattheLefebvre bishopswouldordaintothepriesthoodtheseminarianswewouldtrain. ButLefebvrebishopsarenottheonlyoption.IntheU.S.atpresentthereare sixtraditionalCatholicclergymenwhoarecommonlyreferredtoastheThuc bishops.UnliketheLefebvrebishops,theThucbishopsarenotconnectedina singleorganization.Theyoperateindependentlyofeachother(likemost traditionalpriests),thoughsomeofthemdocooperatetogetherincertain apostolicworks. LiketraditionalCatholicpriests,too,thesixThucbishopsareadiverselot. Fiveareoldermenwhoweretrainedandordainedtothepriesthoodbeforethe disastrouspostVaticanIIchangeshit;one(ayoungerman)receivedatraditional formationandwasordainedapriestintheoldritewellafterVaticanII.Three werediocesanpriests;threeweremembersofdifferentreligiousorders.Fourof thebishopsgraciouslycooperatewithtraditionalCatholicchapelsandclergy outsidetheirownparticularmilieu;twobishopsaredefinitelyoffinseparate orbits.Ofthesixbishops,onehasareputationasanotorioustroublemaker, anotherisnotparticularlywellknownonewayortheother,andtheotherfour (twoofthemrecentlyconsecrated)arewellregardedinthecircleswherethey pursuedtheirapostolate,eitherthroughtheirwritingsortheirsacramental ministry. TheThucbishopsintheU.S.alltracetheirepiscopalconsecrationstooneof twomen: BishopM.L.GurarddesLauriersOP,formerlyaprofessoratthe PontificalLateranUniversityinRomeandattheSocietyofSt.PiusXsseminary inEcne,Switzerland(hewasoneofmyteachers),andtheauthorofthefamous OttavianiIntervention. BishopMoisesCarmonaRivera,adiocesanpriestfromAcapulcowhofor yearsofferedthetraditionalMassforsizablegroupsofthefaithfulinvarious partsofMexico. In1981Bps.GurardandCarmonawereconsecratedbishopsbyoneman: ArchbishopPierreMartinNgdinhThuc(1984),formerArchbishopofHu, Vietnam.

Abp.Thuc,appointedbyPiusXIandconsecratedabishopin1938,founded theDioceseofVinhlongandwasnamedArchbishopofHuin1960.In1963, whileAbp.ThucwasinRomefortheSecondVaticanCouncil,hisbrother,Ng dinhDiem,PresidentofSouthVietnam,wasoverthrownandmurderedina coup.UnabletoreturntoVietnamandtreatedbytheVaticanasanoutcast,Abp. ThucekedoutameagerexistenceservingasasubstituteAssistantPastorin variousparishesnearRome. Hisinterestinthetraditionalmovementappearstohavebeguninearly1975 whenhevisitedAbp.LefebvresseminaryinEcne,Switzerland.Theevent wouldturnouttobeamixedblessing.ThereAbp.Thucstruckupan acquaintancewithFatherM.Revaz,formerChancelloroftheSwissDioceseof SionandprofessorofCanonLawattheEcneseminary.Laterin1975,Father RevazconvincedAbp.ThucthatthesolutiontotheChurchsproblemswereto befoundinallegedMarianapparitionsatPalmardeTroya,Spain,andhe urgedtheArchbishoptoconsecratebishopsforthePalmarsupporters,who wishedtopreservethetraditionalMass.Abp.Thucagreedandperformedthe consecrationsinDecember.Thenextyear,however,Abp.Thucrepudiatedhis connectionswiththePalmargroup.i[1] TraditionalCatholicswhodiscussAbp.Thucssubsequentactivitiesinthe traditionalmovementseemtofallintotwoopposingcamps.Thefirstgroup canonizeshimbyportrayinghimasavaliantherowhoconsistentlyrejectedall theerrorsofthepostConciliarChurch.Thesecondgroupinsultshimby paintinghimasanoldfoolwholackedenoughpresenceofmindtoconfera validsacrament. Bothgroupsarewrong.Ononehand,whileAbp.Thucdidsaythetraditional Mass,hewashardlyanotherAthanasius.Hisactionsandhisstatementsonthe situationintheChurchwere,likeAbp.Lefebvres,oftencontradictoryand mystifying.AndlikeAbp.Lefebvre,hetooapparentlyacceptedadealwiththe Vaticanandlaterchangedhismind.Ontheotherhand,theologicalzigzagging anderrorsofpracticaljudgementproveonlythatagivenarchbishop(takeyour pick)ishumanandfallible.Theydonotprovethatheslostthetinymental minimumwhichtheChurchsaysmakeshissacramentsvalid. Butwevedigressedabit.Ourpurposehereisnottoreviewtheinsandouts ofAbp.Thucscareer.Rather,wewanttodeterminewhetherornotthesixThuc bishopsintheU.S.arevalidlyconsecratedbishopsthatis,whetherornotthey possessthesacramentalpowerpossessedbyallCatholicbishopstoadminister theSacramentofConfirmation,toordainpriestswhoarerealpriests,andto

consecrateotherbishopswhoarerealbishops. Thissacramentalpower,calledtheApostolicSuccession,passesfromone Catholicbishoptoallthebishopsheconsecrates.Theyinturnpassthis sacramentalpowerontoallthebishopstheyconsecrate,andsoon. Topursueourinquiry,therefore,wemustlooktotheepiscopalconsecrations ofthetwoprelatestowhomthesixThucbishopsintheU.S.tracetheir consecrations:Bps.GurardandCarmona.Iftheepiscopalconsecrationsofthe lattertwomustberegardedasvalid,thenthelineoforderswhichproceedsfrom themislikewisevalid. Now,asweshalldemonstratebelow,thepertinentfactsandthe pronouncementsofpopes,canonists(canonlawexperts)andCatholicmoral theologiansallleadtooneunavoidableconclusion:weareobligedtoregardas validtheepiscopalconsecrationsAbp.P.M.NgdinhThucconferredonM.L. GurarddesLauriersandMoisesCarmonaRivera. SincetheconsecrationsofBps.GurardandCarmonawerevalid,weare likewiseobligedtoregardasvalidthelineoforderswhichproceedsfromthem, andthustoholdthatthepriestsordainedinthislinearetrulypriestsandthat thebishopsconsecratedinthislinearetrulybishops.

I. SOME NOTES ON THE INVESTIGATION

In1982twoAmericansmadetheirdebutsasThucbishopsintheU.S.The circumstancessurroundingtheirappearance,putmildly,didnotbodewellfor thefuture. Oneofthemwasapriestthenrelativelynewtothetraditionalmovement, andthedetailsofhoworwhyhehadbeenselectedforepiscopalconsecration wereneverentirelyclear.Theotherallbutjumpedthroughhoopspursuinghis miter.AsapriestinFebruary1982,heboastedofhissupportforJohnPaulII. Shortlythereafter,wordoftheThucbishopsandtheirhardlineagainstJohn PaulIIbegantospread.InJuneheembracedthesedevacantistposition.In AugusttheotherAmericanconsecratedhimabishop. Thereafter,thetwobishopscrankedoutdenunciations,splitseveralchapels, issuedexcommunications,pretendedtosetupdioceses,andotherwise

pursuedthesortoffollowmeordieprogramsoendemicamongtraditional clergy. InJanuary1983Ipublishedalengthyarticleexposingthesegoingson, togetherwithawartsandallportraitofAbp.Thuc.Ididnotexaminetheissue ofwhethertheconsecrationswerevalid,butnotedthatfurtherresearchwould beneededtoascertainwhattheologiansandcanonistsconsidersufficient evidenceforvalidityinsuchacase.ii[2] Absentsuchresearch,Iwaspersonallyinclinedtoviewtheconsecrationsas doubtful.SotoomyfellowpriestsintheNortheast.Moreover,evenafterwehad beenexpelledfromtheSocietyofSt.PiusXinApril1983,theactivitiesofthetwo AmericanThucbishopsrenderedtheideaofcooperatingwiththemmorally impossible.Andtherethematterrestedforabouttwoyears. In1985oneofmyconfrres,theRev.DonaldJ.Sanborn,suggestedthatour groupapproachDonAntoniodeCastroMayer,theretiredBishopofCampos, Brazil,toseeifhedbewillingtoordainpriestsforus,oratleastoffersome advice.ThisprelatehadtakenastrongstandagainsttheNewMass,andhis positiononJohnPaulIIwassaidtobemuchharderthanAbp.Lefebvres. FatherSanbornvisitedCamposinApril1985andspokeatgreatlengthwith Bp.Mayer.Thebishop,itturnedout,confinedhisapostolatetoBrazil. WhenFatherSanbornbroachedthetopicofwhocouldordainpriestsforus, Bp.Mayersaid:GotoGurard! FatherSanbornsaidthathedoubtedthevalidityofBp.Gurardsepiscopal consecration.Thebishopreplied:IfitsvalidforGurard,itsvalidforme. FatherSanbornexplainedsomeofhishesitations.Bp.Mayeranswered: Gurardisthemostqualifiedpersonintheworldtodetermineifthe consecrationwasvalid. Onhisreturn,FatherSanbornsuggestedthatsomeofusresearchthe principlesmoraltheologiansemploytodeterminewhetheranepiscopal consecrationisvalid.SinceIwasskepticaloftheconsecrations,Ivolunteeredto workalongwithhim. Theinvestigationturnedouttobeaformidabletask.Since1985Father SanbornandIhavespentbetweenusatleastathousandhoursonresearch, muchofitinthetheologyandcanonlawsectionsofCatholicuniversityand

seminarylibrariesthroughouttheU.S.iii[3] Theconclusionwhichbegantoemergewas,Iadmit,contrarytomyinitial expectation.Therearenospecialorextraproofswhichmustbemadebefore onecansaythatanepiscopalconsecrationisvalid.Canonistsandtheologians treataconsecrationastheywouldanyothersacrament.Onceitsbeen performed,itsregardedasvalid,andtheburdenofproof(ifany)restson thosewhoattackitsvalidity. AtaSeptember1988priestsmeeting,FatherSanborndistributedabrief internalreporttothepriestsonthetheologicalprinciplestobeapplied.Father concludedthatwehadtoregardtheconsecrationsasvalid. Overall,Ifoundthereportconvincing.Inparticular,Fatherscomments correspondedwithwhatIhaduncoveredinPopeLeoXIIIsBullApostolicae Curae. Aheateddiscussionensued.Laterthatday,IspokewiththeRev.Clarence Kelly,theheadofourorganization.ImentionedthatLeoXIIIspronouncement seemedtodemolishmyobjectionstothevalidityoftheconsecrationsandhis aswell.Hereplied:Wecantsaythattheconsecrations[oftheThucbishops]are validorsomeofourpriestswillwanttogetinvolvedwiththem. AtthispointIconcludedthattheargumentsagainstthevalidityofthe consecrationsmightbebasedonsomethingotherthanobjectivenormsof sacramentaltheology. AfterIlefttheSocietyofSt.PiusVinJuly1989,FatherSanbornandI continuedtocomparenotesonourresearch.Whatfollowsistheproductofour collaborativeefforts.ThelionsshareofcreditbelongstoFatherSanborn,who trackeddowntheologicalsourcesandpapaldecreeswithfiercedetermination.

II. THE FACT OF THE CONSECRATIONS.

Webeginourinquirybyaskingtwosimplequestions: On7May1981inToulon,France,didAbp.Thucperformtheriteof episcopalconsecrationforGurarddesLauriersusingthetraditionalCatholic rite?

 On17October1981inToulon,France,didAbp.Thucperformtheriteof episcopalconsecrationforMoisesCarmonausingthetraditionalCatholicrite? Theanswertobothquestionsisyes. Butnotethatweveusedaclumsyphrase.WeveaskedifAbp.Thuc performedtheriteofepiscopalconsecrationfortwopeople,ratherthanaskingif heconsecratedthem.Why? Tocallattentiontoanimportantdistinctionbetweentwothings: Thefactofasacramenti.e.,didaceremonytakeplace?and Thevalidityofasacramenti.e.,didtheceremonywork?

CatholiccanonistsandmoralistssuchasFathersCappello,iv[4]Davis,v[5] Noldin,vi[6]Wanenmacher,vii[7]andAyrinhacviii[8]takesuchadistinctionfor granted.So,too,doChurchtribunalsconvenedtoruleonthevalidityofa marriageix[9]oranordination.x[10]Factsfirst,validitylater. Inthissection,therefore,wewillnotaddresstheissueofvalidity(Didthe consecrationswork?),butmerelytheissueoffact(Didtheceremonytakeplace;did Abp.Thucperformtherite?) Clearly,theThucconsecrationstookplace.Butsinceafewtraditionalpriests haveclaimedthatfactoftheconsecrationsisnotprovenorcertain,orcant beacknowledged,welltakeafewmomentstoprovetheobvious.

A. Legal Limbo
WhenthingswerenormalintheChurch,itwaseasytoascertainthefactthat anepiscopalconsecrationtookplace.Youwenttosomeonewithauthority.He lookeduptheparticularsinanofficialregister.Ifanauthorizedchurchofficial haddulyrecordedtheconsecrationintheregister,churchlawregardeditasa factprovenintheeyesofchurchlaw.Thesamegoesforbaptisms, confirmationsandpriestlyordinations. Iftheseofficialregisterswerelostoraccidentallydestroyed,youtookanother route.Youbroughttheevidencetosomeonewithauthorityadiocesanbishop orajudgeinaVaticantribunal,say.Theofficialexaminedtheevidenceand

issuedadecreestatingthatsoandsohadreceivedthesacrament. Theseofficialsenjoyedalegalpowercalledordinaryjurisdictionauthority, derivingultimatelyfromthepope,tocommand,makelaws,punishandjudge. Partofthatauthorityconsistedinthepowertoestablishintheeyesofchurch lawthefactthatagivensacramentalacttookplacetofunctionasa sacramentalcounterparttotheRegistrarofDeeds. Inbothcasesthatofeitherofficialregistersorhierarchicaldecrees someonewithordinaryjurisdictionwasexercisinghispower.Hejudgedhehad sufficientlegalevidencethat,say,aparticularordinationhadbeenperformed. Heentereditintotheofficialregister,orissuedadecree.Thefactofthe ordinationwasthenestablishedbeforethelaw. Incontrasttothis,considermyownordination.ItsafactthatArchbishop LefebvreordainedmetothepriesthoodinEcne,Switzerlandon29June1977. Butthatfacthasnotbeenlegallyestablished.Itsnotrecordedintheordination registeroftheDioceseofSion,aschurchlawwouldrequire.Shouldnormalcy returntotheChurchinmylifetime,Idgotosomeonewithordinaryjurisdiction. Hewouldthenruleontheevidenceandissueadecreewhichwouldlegally establishthefactofmyordination. WheredoesthisleavethefactoftheThucconsecrations?Inthesameplaceit leavesmyordination,theLefebvreconsecrationsandallsacramentstraditional Catholicclergyconfer:inasortoflegallimbo.Sincenooneinthetraditional movementpossessesordinaryjurisdiction,noonehasthepowertoruleonthe legalevidencethataparticularsacramentwasperformedandthenestablishitas afactbeforechurchlaw.Thatsafunctionofchurchofficialswhohavereceived theirauthorityfromapope. Nevertheless,wetraditionalCatholicscananddoestablishthefactthatwe haveconferredorreceivedsacraments.Themeansweuseismoralcertitude,a simpleconceptwellapplytotheThucconsecrations,justaswedotoanyother sacrament.

B. Documentation
UnliketheLefebvreconsecrationsin1988,theThucconsecrationsreceived littleornopublicityintheUnitedStates.Nevertheless,itseasytodocumentthe

factthattheceremoniestookplace.Herearesomesources: PublishedphotographsofBp.Gurards7May1981consecration.xi[11]

PublishedphotographsofBp.CarmonasandBp.AdolfoZamoras17 October1981consecration.xii[12] AccompanyingcaptionsstatingthatAbp.Thucperformedthe consecrationsaccordingtoTheRomanPontifical(1908edition).xiii[13] AFebruary1988interview,conductedunderoath,withDr.KurtHiller, whowaspresentatbothconsecrationsandwhoheldtheritualbook(TheRoman Pontifical)forAbp.Thucasheperformedtheriteofconsecration.xiv[14] AswornaffidavitofDr.EberhardHeller,whowasalsopresentatboth consecrations,attestingthatBps.Gurard,CarmonaandZamorawere consecratedbishopsbyAbp.ThucandthatTheconsecrationsfollowedThe RomanPontifical(Rome:1908).xv[15] AletterfromJosefCardinalRatzingertoAbp.Thuc,whichspeaksofthe Vaticanswellfoundedinquiryintotheconsecrations,andwhichspecifically notesthatAbp.ThucconsecratedGurard,CarmonaandZamora.xvi[16] A1983Vaticanstatementwhichmentionsbynamethosewhowere consecrated,and(asonewouldexpect)denouncestheconsecrations.xvii[17] ApublishedletterofAbp.Thuc,dated11July1984,inwhichhe acknowledgesthatheconferredtheepiscopatein1981onseveralpriests, namelyRevs.M.L.GuerarddesLauriers,O.P.,MosesCarmona,andAdolfo Zamora.xviii[18] ApublishedinterviewwithBp.GurardinwhichheatteststhatAbp. Thucconsecratedhimon7May1981,thattheconsecrationwasvalid,thatthe traditionalritewasfollowedintegrally(exceptforthereadingofaRoman mandate),andthatAbp.ThucandIhadtheintentiontodowhattheChurch does.xix[19] AninterviewwithBp.Gurardwhereheagainaffirmedhehadbeen consecratedon7May1981,andthattheritewasfollowedintegrally.xx[20] AninterviewwiththeRev.NolBarbara,conductedunderoath,inwhich

FatherBarbarastatedthathevisitedAbp.Thucin1982,andthatAbp.Thucthen acknowledgedthathedid,infact,consecrateBps.GurardandCarmona.xxi[21] Allthesesources,ofcourse,agreeonthekeyissue:thefactthatAbp.Thuc performedtheriteofepiscopalconsecrationforM.L.GurarddesLaurierson7 May1981,andagainforMoisesCarmonaandAdolphoZamoraon17October 1981. ThestatementsofDr.Heller,Dr.Hiller,Bp.Gurardandthephotocaptions (writtenbyDr.Heller),moreover,areinaccordonanotherkeyissue:thefactthat Abp.Thucusedthetraditionalritetoperformtheconsecrations.

C. An Established Fact
Facedwiththisdocumentation,thereadersensiblyconcludesthatitisafact thatAbp.Thucperformedtheseconsecrationsandafactthatheusedthe traditionalCatholicrite.Why?Thedocumentationallpointstothesamebasic facts.Thepartiesinvolvedneverchangedtheirstoriesonthesefacts.Itrings true. Thesoundoftruthwehear,whenconsideringfactsaboutthisoranyother matter,resultsfrommoralcertitude,acommonsensestandardweemployallthe time. Catholicmoraltheologianssaythatmoralcertitudeoccurswhenwerealize itsimpossibleforustobewrongaboutaparticularfact,sincetheoppositeof thatfactissounlikelythatweknowitwouldbeimprudenttobelieveit.xxii[22]It thereforeinvolvesconsideringtheoppositeofsomethingtoseehowlikelyitis. Anexample*willhelphere:IdidntseeElvisPresleydie.Buthiswife,the doctor,thesheriffandtheundertakerallsayhedied.Ithenconsiderthe opposite:thatElvislivesandstalkstheaislesofmysupermarket.Butthatwould meanthatthefourpeoplewhosawhisdeadbodyandwhosayhesdeadareall liars,involvedinamassiveconspiracy.ThisisallsounlikelythatIcouldnt possiblybelieveit.Ivethereforearrivedatmoralcertitudeaboutafact:Elvis TheKingisindeeddead. ToarriveatmoralcertitudeabouttheThucconsecrations,therefore,we considerwhethertheoppositeoftheevidencewehaveislikelyenoughtobe

believable:i.e.,thatAbp.ThucdidnotperformeitherBp.GurardsorBp. Carmonasconsecration,orthat,ifhedid,hedidnotusethetraditionalrite. Thispresupposesscenarioslikethefollowing:(1)ThatAbp.Thuc,Bp. Gurard,Bp.Carmona,BishopZamora(nowdeceased),andtwoarch sedevacantistlaymenlied,fakedphotosontwooccasions,committedperjuryin twoinstances,andengagedinacomplexandwellorchestratedconspiracy.(2) Thatthesixdifferentpeoplemostdirectlyinvolvedwerecompletelymistaken aboutthefactthattwoepiscopalconsecrationstookplace.(3)ThatGurard, CarmonaandZamorasubsequentlyconferredordinationsandepiscopal consecrationstheyknewwerenullandvoid.(4)ThatGurard,Carmonaand Zamora,aidedandabettedbyDrs.HillerandHeller,allowedAbp.Thucto consecratethembishopswithsomeriteotherthanthetraditionalCatholicrite.(5) ThatthepersonsinvolvedwiththeconsecrationsalsodeceivedVaticanofficials abouttheevent,orgottheVaticantoparticipateintheconspiracy. Thesescenarios,obviously,arepreposterousandabsurd,andnoevidence whatsoeverexiststosupportthem.Buttheyretheonlykindoftheoriessomeone canputforwardifhewantstosaythatwehavenomoralcertitudeaboutthefact oftheThucconsecrations.Andifsomeonefindsthesealternativesbelievableor likely,allIcantellhimis:Keepyoureyesopeninthesupermarket. ThisleavesuswithmoralcertitudeaboutthefactoftheThucconsecrations, certitudewhichexcludesallfearoferrorandeveryseriousorprudent doubt.xxiii[23]Thisisallthattheologiansrequireforanysacrament.Sincewe havenoseriousorprudentgroundtodoubtthattheconsecrationstookplace andthattheoldritewasused,wemustregardbothoccurrencesasestablished facts.

III. THE VALIDITY OF THE CONSECRATIONS

Wenowturntothequestionwhichoccasionedthisstudy: AreweobligedtoregardtheThucconsecrationsasvalidi.e,ashaving worked? Basedontheprincipleschurchlawandmoraltheologyapplytoallthe sacraments,weareobligedtoansweryes.

Tounderstandwhy,wehavebuttorecallhowlittleisrequiredtoperforma validepiscopalconsecration,andhowchurchlawandmoraltheologians considerthoserequirementsasmetinagivencase,unlessthereispositive evidencetothecontrary.

A. A Recipe for Validity

AmongthemanybeautifulceremoniesoftheCatholicChurch,theRiteof EpiscopalConsecrationissurelythemostsplendidandthemostcomplex.It takesplaceonthefeastofanApostle,usuallybeforealargegatheringofthe faithful.Initsmostsolemnform,thebishopwhoperformstheriteisassistedby twootherbishops(calledCoConsecrators),11priests,20serversand3 MastersofCeremonies.xxiv[24]Toperformanepiscopalconsecrationobservingall theelaborateceremonialdirectionstakesaboutfourhours. Ontheotherhand,toperformanepiscopalconsecrationvalidlytakesabout 15seconds. Thisisaboutthelengthoftimeittakesabishoptoimposehishandsona priestsheadandrecitethe16wordformulatheChurchrequiresforvalidity. Theforegoingmaystartlethelayreader.Butthecaseisakintosomethingwe alllearnedincatechismclass.Allyouneedtobaptizesomeonevalidlyis ordinarywaterandtheshortformula(Ibaptizethee,etc.).Itwassosimplethat evenaMoslemoraJewcouldgetitrightifsomeonereallywantedtobe baptized.Andoncethewaterwaspouredandtheshortformulawasrecited, youdbejustasvalidlybaptized,andjustasmuchaChristianasifthepope himselfhaddoneitinSt.PetersBasilica. TherecipetheChurchlaysdownforavalidepiscopalconsecrationisequally simple.Otherthanavalidlyconsecratedbishoptoperformtheriteandavalidly ordainedpriestwhointendstoreceiveconsecration,therearejustthree ingredientsessentialforvalidity: (1)Theimpositionofhandsbytheconsecratingbishop(technicallycalledthe matterofthesacrament). (2)Theessential16wordformularecitedbytheconsecratingbishop (technicallycalledtheformofthesacrament).xxv[25]

(3)Aminimalintentionontheconsecratingbishopsparttodowhatthe Churchdoes(calledministerialintention). Thoughalltheceremoniesprescribedintheriteshouldbeobserved,thethree foregoingelementsareallthatisrequiredforanepiscopalconsecrationtobe valid.

B. Burden of Disproof
Onceyourecertainofthefactthatarealbishopperformedaconsecration usingaCatholicrite,isitthennecessarytoprovepositivelythatthebishopdid notomitoneoftheseessentialelementsduringtheceremony? No.ThemerefactthatabishopusedaCatholicriteisofitselfsufficient evidenceforvalidity,whichthereafterrequiresnofurtherproof.Validity becomesagiven,whichcanonlybedisproved.Andthiscanonlybeachieved bydemonstratingthatoneoftheingredientsessentialtovaliditywaseither absent(orprobablyabsent)whentheceremonywasperformed. Thisappliestoallthesacramentsandisevidentfrom: 1. Ordinary Pastoral Practice.Daytodaysacramentalrecordkeeping takesforgrantedthattheministerofasacramentfulfilledtheessential requirementsforvalidity.Officialbaptismalandordinationregisterssaynothing whatsoeverabouttechnicaltermssuchasmatter,formorministerial intention.Andsacramentalcertificatesmerelystatethatsoandsoreceiveda sacramentwithallnecessaryandfittingceremoniesandsolemnities,orsimply accordingtotheriteoftheHolyRomanChurch.Theysaynothingmore, becausechurchlawrequiresnothingmore.Suchsacramentsareregardedas validwithoutfurtherproof. 2. Canonists. Canonistsspeakofthequeenofpresumptions,whichholds theactorcontractasvalid,untilinvalidityisproved.xxvi[26]Itisappliedtothe sacramentsinthefollowingway:Ifsomeonegoesbeforeachurchcourtto challengethevalidityofaCatholicbaptism,xxvii[27]marriagexxviii[28]or ordination,xxix[29]theburdenofproofisonhim.Hemustshowthatsomething essentialwaslackingwhenthesacramentwasconferred. 3. Church Law and Moral Theology. Thesesourcesforbidreadministering

asacramentconditionallyunlessthereisaprudentorpositivedoubtabout validity.(SeeIV.Abelow.)Asanexampleofadoubtwhichwouldnotfallinto thiscategory,theDominicanmoraltheologianFanfanispeaksofapriestwho doesnotrecallwhetherherecitedtheessentialsacramentalformula.Heshould repeatnothing,saysFanfani.Indeed,hesinsifhedoessoforeverythingthat isdonemustbesupposedtohavebeendonecorrectly,unlessthecontraryispositively established.xxx[30]Thattheessentialpartsoftheritewereperformedisonceagain simplytakenforgranted. ThecanonistGasparri(lateracardinalandcompilerofthe1917Codeof CanonLaw)offersageneralprinciple:anact,especiallyoneassolemnasan ordination,mustberegardedasvalid,aslongasinvaliditywouldnotbeclearly demonstrated.xxxi[31] 4. Even Unusual Cases. Canonistsandmoralistsevenextendthese principlestocaseswheresomeoneotherthantheusualCatholicminister employsaCatholicritetoconferasacrament.Ifamidwifewhosaysshe performedanemergencybaptismisserious,trustworthyandinstructedinhow toperformbaptisms,saysthetheologianMerkelbach,thereisnoreasonto doubtseriouslythevalidityofabaptism.xxxii[32] Finally,sostronglydoestheChurchholdforthevalidityofasacrament administeredaccordingtoaCatholicrite,thatsheextendstheprinciplenotonly toCatholicclergymen,butalsoeventoschismatics.Thusordinationsand episcopalconsecrationsreceivedfromOrthodoxbishops,andfromOldCatholic bishopsinHolland,GermanyandSwitzerlandaretoberegardedasvalid, unlessinaparticularcaseanessentialdefectweretobeadmitted.xxxiii[33] Theforegoing,ofcourse,reflectstheChurchsreasonableness.Shedoesnt askustodisproveconvolutednegativeaccusationsProvepositivelytome thatyoudidnotomittodowhatyouweresupposedtodotomakethesacrament valid.Otherwise,hordesofspeciallyqualifiedwitnesseswouldhavetobe trainedtodoanindependentvaliditycheckeachtimeapriestconferreda sacrament. Itiseasytosee,therefore,whyasacramentadministeredwithaCatholicrite mustberegardedasvalidtillthecontraryispositivelyestablished.

C. Validity
Therequirementsforavalidepiscopalconsecration,then,areminimal.And whenaCatholicriteisemployedforthisoranyothersacrament,ordinary pastoralpractice,canonists,churchlawandmoraltheologiansrequirenofurther proofforasacramentsvalidityevenwhenitisadministeredbyamidwifeor aschismatic.Validity,rathermustbedisproved. WhenweturntoconsidertheconsecrationsofBp.GurardandBp.Carmona, threekeyfactsareabsolutelycertain: (1)Abp.Thucwasavalidlyconsecratedbishop. (2)HeperformedtheriteofepiscopalconsecrationforBp.Gurardon7May 1981andforBp.Carmonaon17October1981. (3)Abp.ThucemployedaCatholicriteforbothconsecrations. Wehaveavalidlyconsecratedbishop.Heperformedtheriteofepiscopal consecration.HeusedaCatholicrite.Nofurtherproofisneeded.Therefore: WeareobligedtoregardtheepiscopalconsecrationsAbp.P.M.Ngdinh ThucconferredonM.L.GurarddesLauriersandMoisesCarmonaRiveraas valid.

IV. DUBIOUS OBJECTIONS

Asnotedabove,BishopAntoniodeCastroMayeracceptedthevalidityofBp. Gurardsconsecration.LikewisethePapalNunciototheU.S.,ArchbishopPio Laghi.WhilecondemningGurardsconsecrationasillicit,hetoo acknowledgedthatitwasvalid.xxxiv[34]AquerytoeitherprelateaboutBp. Carmonasconsecrationpresumablywouldhavepromptedsimilarresponses. Althoughchurchmenasfaraparttheologicallyasthetraditionalistprelateof CamposandJohnPaulIIsofficialrepresentativeintheU.S.canagreeonthe validityoftheconsecrations,afewtraditionalCatholicpriestsremainedwary. Somehonestlyfoundcertainissuespuzzling.Othersaggressivelydenouncedthe validityoftheconsecrationsasdoubtful.

Welldealwiththelattergrouphere.Eachoftheirobjectionshasbeenbased ononeoftwothings:(A)Agratuitousassertionwhichtheologianswould characterizeasanegativedoubt,whichassuchcannotbeemployedtoimpugn thevalidityofasacrament.(B)Asupposedrequirementofchurchlawor moraltheologywhichturnedouttohavebeeninventedbytheobjectors.

A. Negative Doubts
Theonlywayasacramentcantrulybesaidtobedoubtfulisifyouestablisha positive(orprudent)doubtaboutitsvalidity.Adoubtispositivewhenit possessesabasiswhichisclearlyobjectiveandfirmlyrootedinreality.Inthe caseofasacrament,itmustbefoundedonsolidevidencethatsomething essentialtovaliditywasprobablyomitted. ToestablishapositivedoubtaboutthevalidityoftheThucconsecrations, therefore,youdhavetoprovethat,whentheritewasperformed,asubstantial defecteitherdidoccurorprobablyoccurredinoneofthefollowingessential elements: Theimpositionofhands. Theessential16wordformula. TheminimalintentionofthebishoptodowhattheChurchdoes.

NownoonewhowaspresentattheThucconsecrationshaseversaidoneof thesedefectsoccurred. Absentanyevidencewhatsoeverforsuchadefect,theobjectorsraise personalspeculations,musings,conjectures,hypothesesandafavoritedevice rhetoricalquestionsaboutwhatmayormaynot,orpossiblycouldorcould not,haveoccurredduringtheessential15secondsoftheconsecration. Thechiefcharacteristicofsuchobjections,however,isthattheyaresubjective i.e.,rootednotinaknowledgeofwhatoccurredduringtherite,butinthe objectorslackofpersonalknowledgeofwhatoccurred.Suchobjectionsarewhat moraltheologianscallnegative(orimprudent)doubts.Andnegativedoubtsdont renderasacramentdoubtful.

Welllimitourselvestoafewofthemorefrequentlyrepeatednegative doubts.

Objection 1. Whatifsomethingessentialwereomittedandwedontknowaboutit? Wouldntitbeterrible?Shouldntwewanttobereallysure?Isntitprudenttowonder? Isntitprudenttodoubt?Dontweneedmoreproof?etc. Hereweseeawholeherdofnegativedoubtsthunderingalongatfullgallop. Observehowtheprocedureworks:Lotsofquestions.Oodlesofdarkhints.But nopertinentandverifiablefacts.Andnounderlyingprincipledrawnfromcanon lawormoraltheology. Theresponseissimple:Catholiccanonists,moraltheologiansandpopeshave tolduswhatmakesthevalidityofasacramentmorallycertain.Thesearethe prescriptionswemustfollow.Weareengagedinmakingupourownreligion whenwepretendwecanaskformore.

Objection 2.IquestionwhetherAbp.ThucintendedtodowhattheChurchdoes,so theconsecrationsmustbeconsidereddoubtful. Apriestorbishopwhoconfersasacramentdoesnthavetoprovethat heintendstodowhattheChurchdoes.Heisautomaticallypresumedtointend whattheritemeans.Thisiscertaintheologicaldoctrine,taughtbytheChurch. Andtodenyitistheologicallyrash.xxxv[35]LeoXIIIspecificallyconfirmedthe principlewithregardtoHolyOrderswhenhesaidthatsomeonewhoseriously andcorrectlyusesthematterandformisforthatveryreasondeemedtohave intendedtodowhattheChurchdoes.xxxvi[36] WequotedabovethecanonistGasparrisstatementthatanordinationmust beregardedasvalidtillinvalidityisdemonstrated.Healsosaysthatabishop whoconfersHolyOrdersisneverpresumedtohavetheintentionofnot ordainingsomeoneaslongasthecontraryisnotproved.Fornooneshouldbe presumedtobeevil,headds,unlessheisprovenassuch.xxxvii[37] AttackingAbp.Thucsministerialintention,therefore,isimpermissible. Themereattempttodoso,moreover,betraysanepicspiritof

presumption.Investigatingandtryingcaseswhereordinationsareimpugnedfor lackofintentionwasthejobofaVaticancourtcalledtheHolyOffice.Thepope himselfthenspecificallyconfirmedthecourtsdecision. Floatingtraditionalclergy,therefore,haveneithertherightnortheauthority toattacktheministerialintentionofavalidlyconsecratedCatholicarchbishop. Theveryideaissilly.

Objection 3.IthinkAbp.Thucwasinsaneorsenile,sotheconsecrationsmustbe considereddoubtful. ThisisavariantofObjection2,sinceitattacksAbp.Thucsministerial intention.Fromwhatwevesaidabove,itslikewiseimpermissible. Theobjectors,pleasenote,producednotevenonewitnessordocumentto supporttheirchargethatAbp.Thucwasinsaneorsenilewhenthe consecrationstookplace.Merelybyraisingthisissue,ofcourse,theyhintthat theremightbeafactualbasisforit:Provehewasnotinsaneorsenile.Itslike saying:Proveyoudontbeatyourwife. Theminimumlevelofintentionrequiredtoconferasacramentvalidly isvirtualintention.Alengthydiscussionofthistechnicalconceptisntpossible here.Allweneedsayisthatvirtualintentionguaranteesthatasacramentis valid,evenifthepriestorbishopisinternallydistractedbeforeandduringthe wholesacramentalrite. Virtualintention,saysthetheologianCoronata,iscertainlypresentin someonewhoregularlyperformssacramentalactions.xxxviii[38]Themereactof puttingonvestmentsandgoingtothealtarisconsideredsufficientevidencefor virtualintention. Abp.ThuccelebratedthetraditionalMassregularlybeforeandafterthe consecrationsandverydevoutly,saidoneofmylayfriendswhoonce witnessedhimdoso.Itsridiculoustoimplythat,whenhevestedand performedthethreehourlongepiscopalconsecrations,Abp.Thucsuddenly couldntmanagethebareminimumofavirtualintention. Thosewhoactuallyknewhimdismisstheseaccusationsanyway.Dr. EberhardHeller,whowaspresentatbothconsecrations,attestedunderoaththat

Abp.Thucconferredtheconsecrationsinfullpossessionofhisintellectual powers.xxxix[39]Bp.GurardlikewisestatedAbp.Thucwasofsoundmind, perfectlylucid,xl[40]andhadtheintentiontodowhattheChurchdoes.xli[41] TheRev.ThomasFouhy,atraditionalpriestfromNewZealand,spenttwodays inToulon,FrancewithAbp.Thucin1983.Thearchbishop,FatherFouhyrelated, wasnobodysfool,anddiscussedwithcompetencevariousissuesintheology andcanonlaw.HeevenregaledFatherFouhywithdetailsabouthistriptoNew Zealandin1963.FatherFouhyaddedthattherewasnodoubtthatAbp.Thuc wascompetent.xlii[42] Sotoo,eventheArchbishopsenemiesinthetraditionalmovement.TheRevs. NolBarbaraandGustaveDalmasurevisitedAbp.ThucseparatelyinJanuary 1982.BothopposedtheconsecrationsandarestillcriticalofAbp.Thuc.Butboth stillattestthathewasinperfectpossessionofhisfaculties. FatherBarbarasaysthatthevalidityoftheconsecrationsisbeyondquestion. HebelievestheConciliarChurchstartedtherumorattackingAbp.Thucs sanity.xliii[43] IreceivedphotocopiesoffourdocumentswritteninAbp.Thucsown hand.Alloriginatedaftertheconsecrations.Hishandwritingisclear,firmand morelegiblethanmyown.Thedocumentsareclearlytheworkofamanwhois coherentandwhosecompetencytoconferavalidsacramentisunassailable. Onedocumentisa30July1982lettertoBp.Gurardforwardingsome correspondence.Twoaredeclarations:one,thathebrokeoffconnectionswith thePalmardeTroyagroup,xliv[44]theother,declaringhispositiononthevacancy oftheHolySee.xlv[45] Thelastdocumentisa1982letter(inLatin)respondingtoaninquiryfromBp. Gurard.Severalmonthsafterhisconsecration,Bp.GurardheardthatAbp. ThuchadoncepreviouslyconcelebratedtheNovusOrdoonHolyThursday,1981 withtheBishopofToulon.TheArchbishopadmitsitwastruebutcloseswith thistouchingphrase:IhopethatGodhasnotjudgedmesocruelly,forIerred ingoodfaith.xlvi[46] Amanwhocouldwritesuchastatementclearlyhadallhiswitsabouthim. Wethereforedrawtheappropriateconclusion:Catholicteachingforbids assaultsonAbp.Thucssacramentalintention.And,inlightofstatementsfrom theArchbishopandthosewhoknewhim,Catholicmoralprinciplesdictatethat

oneceaserepeatingthebaselesscalumnythathewasincapableofconferringa validsacrament.

B. Non-Existent Requirements
Timeandagainaswepursuedourresearch,thosewhoobjectedtotheThuc consecrationstoldFatherSanbornandmethattheChurchrequiresXorYfor anepiscopalconsecrationtobeconsideredvalid,thattheconsecrationsdidnt meettherequirement,andthattheywerethereforedoubtful. Mostoftheseobjectionsweresomehowlinkedtothefactthat,apartfrom Abp.Thucandthebishopstobe,onlytwolaymenwerepresentatthe ceremonies. Eachtimewedeventuallydiscoverthatthesupposedrequirement originatednotwiththeChurch,butmerelywiththeobjectors.Hereisasampler:

Objection 1. Withoutasignedcertificate,anepiscopalconsecrationisdoubtful. Thereisnochurchlawwhichsaysthatfailuretoissueacertificate automaticallyrendersanepiscopalconsecrationdoubtful.Moralcertitudeabout thefactasacramenttookplaceisallthatsrequiredtoregarditasvalid.(See II.A,Cabove.) Inanycase,thediocesanordinationregister,andnotthecertificatefromthe consecratingbishop,istheofficialrecordofanepiscopalconsecration.

Objection 2. Theconsecrationswereasecretfact,ratherthananotoriousfact.The burdenofproofforasecretfactrestsonthosewhoassertit,andsincethatburdenof proofhasnotbeenmet,theconsecrationsaredoubtful. Thisobjectionispuremumbojumbo. Nowheredoeschurchlawsaythatanepiscopalconsecrationperformed withonlytwolaymenpresentisasecretfactorthatsuchaconsecrationis doubtful.Theobjectorsmadetheruleup.

 Twowitnessessufficetomakeanactlegallypublicunderchurchlaw anyway.Marriagebyitsnature,forinstance,isalwaysconsideredapublic sacrament.Butitcanbecontractedbehindcloseddoors(toavoid embarrassment,say)infrontoftwowitnesses.Theirpresencemakesitlegally public,eventhoughthefactthatthesacramenttookplaceisnotbroadcastfar andwide. Thereferencestosecretandnotoriousfactsaredrawnfromrulesof evidenceincanonlawwhichapplyonlywhentwoadversepartiesarefighting outalawsuit,PerryMasonstyle,beforeanecclesiasticaljudgeinachurchtrial. Obviously,thecourtsnotinsession.Itwontbeinsessiontillthehierarchyof theChurchisrestored.Thecourtspowertoruleonevidence,meanwhile,hasnt passedbydefaulttotheobjectors. Andevenifthecourtwereinsession,theobjectorswouldbethrownoutof thecourtroom:Underchurchlaw,onlythreeclassesofpeoplecanchallengethe validityofanordinationorconsecration.xlvii[47]Allotherpersons,saysthe canonistCappello,lacktherighttoaccuse.xlviii[48]

Objection 3. Withoutqualifiedwitnessesanepiscopalconsecrationisdoubtful. Nochurchlawprescribesthatwitnesses,qualifiedorotherwise,mustbe presentatanepiscopalconsecrationstillless,thataconsecrationisdoubtful withoutthem.Again,theobjectorsfabricatedarequirementoutofthinair.

Objection 4. Withoutatleasttwopriestspresenttoattestthatitwasperformed validly,anepiscopalconsecrationisdoubtful. Thisrequirementdoesntexist,andisdirectlycontradictedbyacts authorizedbytheHolySee. Thefunctionofthepriestassistantsisnot,astheobjectorsseemtothink, toattesttothevalidityofaconsecration.PopeBenedictXIVsaysclearlythatthe reasonforthepriestassistantsistoaddsolemnitytotheliturgicalactandtocarry outtheprescriptionsoftherites.xlix[49]

 Inmissioncountries,episcopalconsecrationswereoftenperformed withoutpriestassistants.l[50]ThepracticewassanctionedbyPopeAlexander VII,li[51]PopeClementXlii[52]andPopePiusVI.liii[53]PiusVIsbrief,infact,was addressedtobishopsinwhatwasthencalledTonkinandCochinChinathe partofVietnamwhereAbp.Thucsdioceseswerelocated. TheChurchdidnotmerelyallowepiscopalconsecrationstobeperformed withouttwopriestassistants,butinsomecasesspecificallyorderedit.Inonecase, Romeorderedthatanepiscopalconsecrationnotonlybeperformedsecretlyand withoutassistants,butevenunderthesealofconfession.liv[54] Inamorerecentcase,PopePiusXIin1926orderedthatthePapalNuncioto Germanyperformasecretepiscopalconsecrationwithoutanyonepresent.The NunciowasEugenioCardinalPacelli,later,ofcourse,PopePiusXII.Pacelli petitionedRomethathebeallowedtohaveatleastonepriestpresentnot, pleasenote,toserveasawitness,butmerelysotheCardinalcouldhave someonetoholdtheMissalonthenewbishopsshouldersasprescribedwhile thePrefacewasrecited.lv[55] PiusXIsentthebishopwhomPacelliconsecrated,Mgr.dHerbigny,into Russiainordertoconsecratebishopssecretly.Heconductedthefirstsuch consecrationon21April1926foracertainFatherNeveu.Theconsecrationtook placewithoutpriestassistantsandinthepresenceoftwolaymen circumstancesidenticaltothoseoftheThucconsecrations.Mgr.dHerbigny issuednocertificate.lvi[56] TheChurch,obviously,wouldnotallowstilllesscommandabishopto performanepiscopalconsecrationwithoutpriestassistantsifsuchwere doubtful.Itisimpossible,therefore,tomaintainthattheThucconsecrations aredoubtfulonsuchgrounds. Objection 5. Withoutapapaldispensation,anepiscopalconsecrationperformed withouttwopriestassistantsisdoubtful. Onceagain,nolaworcanonistsupportsthis.

Theteachingsofthecanonistsdirectlycontradictit.Bouixsaysflatly: Evenifthereshouldbeaconsecrationwithoutanyassistantsandwithout obtainingapontificaldispensation,itwouldstillbevalid.lvii[57]Regatillo,

writingina1953work,goesevenfurther.Hesaysthataconsecrationperformed withoutadispensationwouldbevalidevenifthebishopistheonlyonewhois presentattheconsecration.lviii[58] PopeAlexanderVII,lix[59]PopeClementXIandPopeBenedictXIV declaredthatconsecrationsperformedwithoutsuchadispensationarevalid.lx [60]

CONCLUSIONS
TraditionalCatholics,longaccustomedtocontroversieswherethevirtueor wickednessofpersonsororganizationsstandsatcenterstage,mayfindallthe foregoingdryandbland.Wevespentnotimeatallarguingoverthepersonal qualitiesofthepartiesinvolvedwhetherornotThuc,GurardorCarmona werevirtuous,wise,prudent,logical,consistentortheologicallyperspicacious. Suchdiscussionshavenobearingwhatsoeverontheissueofwhetherornota sacramentisvalid.Theyconcernwhattheologianscalltheprobityoftheminister. AnditisatruthoftheCatholicfaiththatthevalidadministrationofasacrament doesnotdependonapriestorbishopsprobity.lxi[61] TheissueofwhethertheThucconsecrationswerevalid,therefore,boilsdown toafewdryprinciplesandahandfuloffacts: (1)Allthatisrequiredtoperformanepiscopalconsecrationvalidlyisan impositionofhands,a16wordformulaandtheminimalintentiontodowhat theChurchdoes. (2)Onceyouestablishthefactthatavalidlyconsecratedbishopperformedan episcopalconsecrationusingaCatholicrite,theessentialelementsaretakenfor granted.Thevalidityoftheconsecrationrequiresnofurtherproof;rather,itcan onlybedisprovedandtheburdenofdisproofisontheaccuser.Thisisevidentfrom ordinarypastoralpractice,canonists,churchlawandmoraltheology.The principleisextendedeventoepiscopalconsecrationsperformedbyschismatics. (3)Threeessentialfactsarebeyonddispute:(a)Abp.Thucwasavalidly consecratedbishop.(b)HeperformedtheriteofepiscopalconsecrationforBp. Gurardon7May1981andforBp.Carmonaon17October1981.(c)Abp.Thuc employedaCatholicriteforbothconsecrations.

Wehaveavalidlyconsecratedbishop.Heperformedepiscopalconsecrations. HeusedaCatholicrite.Weareobliged,therefore,toregardtheepiscopal consecrationsAbp.P.M.NgdinhThucconferredonM.L.GurarddesLauriers andMoisesCarmonaRiveraasvalid. Sincetheseconsecrationswerevalid,wearelikewiseobligedtoregardthe ThucbishopsintheU.S.asvalidlyconsecratedbishopswhopossessthe sacramentalpowertoconfirm,toordain,andtoconsecratebishops. (Sacerdotium3,Spring1992)

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Einsicht.Periodical.Munich. Fanfani,LudovicusOP.ManualeTheoricopracticumTheologiaeMoralis.Rome:Ferrari1949. FortesdanslaFoi.Periodical.Tours(France). Gasparri,Petro.TractatusdeSacraOrdinatione.Paris:Delhomme1893. Leeming,BernardSJ.PrinciplesofSacramentalTheology.Westminstermd:Newman1956. LeoXIIIPope.BullApostolicaeCurae,13September1896. Lesourde,Paul.LeJsuiteClandestine:Mgr.MicheldHerbigny.Paris:Lethielleux1981. Many,S.PraelectionesdeSacraOrdinatione.Paris:Letouzey1905. McHugh,J.A.TheCasuist..NewYork:Wagner1917. McHugh,JohnA.OP&CharlesJ.CallanOP.MoralTheology.NewYork:Wagner1929. Merkelbach,BenedictusH.OP.SummaTheologiaeMoralis.Bruges:Descle1962. Nabuco,Joachim.PontificalisRomaniExpositioJuridicoPractica.NewYork:Benziger1945. Noldin,H.&A.SchmittSJ.SummaTheologiaeMoralis.Innsbruck:Rauch1940. PiusVI,Pope.BriefExigitPastoralis,22July1798. Regatillo,EduardusF.SJ.InterpretatioetJurisprudentiaCodicisJurisCanonici,3rdedition. Santander:SalTerrae1953. Regatillo,EduardusF.SJ.JusSacramentarium,2ndedition.Santander:SalTerrae1949. Sodalitium.Periodical.VerruaSavoia(Italy). TheRomanCatholic.Periodical.OysterBayNY. Wanenmacher,Francis.CanonicalEvidenceinMarriageCases.Philadelphia:Dolphin1935. Woywood,StanislausOFM.APracticalCommentaryontheCodeofCanonLaw.NewYork:Wagner 1952. Zitelli,Zephyrino.ApparatusJurisEcclesiastici.Rome:1888.

i[1]Einsicht11(March1982),12.JenaiplusderlationsavecPalmardepuisleurchefseproclamePape.Je
dsapprouvetoutcequilsfont.

ii[2]TheRomanCatholic5(January1983),8. iii[3]Amongthem:CatholicUniversity,St.Johns,Fordham,Xavier,Marquette,Detroit,Dunwoodie,
Douglaston,St.FrancisandtheJosephinum.

iv[4]F.Cappello,TractatusCanonicoMoralisDeSacramentis,(Rome:Marietti1961),1:21.Quotiesrationabileseu
prudensadestdubiumdecollatosacramentonecneautdecollatisacramentivalore.Myemphasis.

v[5]H.Davis,MoralandPastoralTheology.(NewYork:SheedandWard1943),3:25.Thevalidityofasacrament
bestowed.Myemphasis.

vi[6]H.Noldin&A.Schmitt,SummaTheologiaeMoralis(Innsbruck:Rauch1940),3:27.Insacramentisdubium
factihabetur,sidubitatur,ansacramentumreipsacollatumsitvelquomodocollatumsit,nempecumdebita materia,formaetintentione.Hisemphasis.

vii[7]F.Wanenmacher,CanonicalEvidenceinMarriageCases,(Philadelphia:Dolphin1935),500.whenthefact
ofbaptismhasbeenestablished,butthevalidityremainsdoubtfulMyemphasis.

viii[8]H.Ayrinhac,LegislationontheSacraments(NewYork:Longmans1928),6."Shouldaprudentdoubtexist
astothefactoftheiradministrationortheirvalidityMyemphasis.

ix[9]CodeofCanonLaw,Canon1014.indubiostandumestprovalorematrimonii,doneccontrarium
probetur

x[10]SeeS.C.Sacraments,Decree9June1931,ActaApostolicaeSedis23(1931),457ff. xi[11]Einsicht12(May1982),46. xii[12]Einsicht11(March1982),1419. xiii[13]Einsicht11(March1982),14.BischofsweiheS.E.Mgr.M.L.GurarddesLauriers,o.p.:inToulonam

7.Mai1981;Konsekrator:S.E.Mgr.PierreMartinNgdinhThuc:nachdemPontificaleRomanumsummorum pontificumjussueditumaBenedictoXIVetLeoneXIII.Pont.Max.(Ratisbonae,Romae,etc.1908). BischofsweiheS.E.Mgr.MoisesCarmonaundS.E.Mgr.AdolfoZamorainToulonam17Oktober1981; Konsekrator:S.E.Mgr.PierreMartinNgdinhThuc:nachdemPontificaleRomanum(Ratisbonae,Romae,etc. 1908,S.520ff).

xiv[14]ClarenceKelly,etal.,InterviewwithDr.KurtHiller,Munich,February1988,passim. xv[15]EberhardHeller,EidesstattlicheErklrungzudenBischofsweihenvonI.E.Mgr.M.L.Gurarddes
Lauriers,Mgr.MoisesCarmonaundMgr.AdolfoZamora,Einsicht21(July1991),47.Umnochbestehende ZweifelandenvonS.E.Mgr.PierreMartinNgodinhThucgespendetenBischofsweihen.diez.B.von bestimmtenPersonenundGruppenindenU.S.A.geuertwerden,undweilseineExcellenzinzwischen verstorbenist,ersichalsodazuselbstnichtmehruernkann,erklreichanEidesstatt,daichdenbetreffenden KonsekrationendurchMgr.NgodinhThucpersnlichbeiwohnte:Ichbezeuge,daS.E.Mgr.M.L.Gurarddes LauriersO.P.am7.Mai1981,I.E.Mgr.MoisesCarmonaundMgr.AdolfoZamoraam17Oktober1981in

Toulon/FrankreichvonS.E.Mgr.PierreMartinNgodinhThuczuBischfenderhl.katholischenKirche geweihtwurden.DieKonsekrationenerfolgtennachdemPontificaleRomanum(Rom1908).Mgr.Ngodinh ThucspendetedieWeihenimVollbesitzseinergeistigenKrfteundinderAbsicht,derKircheausihrer Notsituationherauszuhelfen,dieerinseinerDeclaratioberdieSedisvakanzvom25.Februar1982przisierte. Mnchen,den10.Juli1991.E.Heller.

xvi[16]RatzingertoThuc,Letter1February1983.Aprsledlaincessaireuneenqutefonde,laS.

CongrgationpourlaDoctrinedelaFoiapusassurerquaumoinsdepuis1981vousavezgalement confrlordinationpiscopaleaureligieuxfranaisM.L.GurarddesLauriers,OP,ansiquauxprtres mexicainsMoisesCarmonaetAdolfoZamora.

xvii[17]S.C.ProDoctrinaFidei,Notificatio12March1983,ActaApostolicaeSedis(April1983). xviii[18]LOsservatoreRomano,Englishedition,24December1984. xix[19]Sodalitium4(May1987),24.AffermochequestaConsecrazionevalidaAttesoche:1)ilrito

tradizionalestatointegralmenteosservato(fattoeccezionedellaletturadelmandatoromano!):2)Mons.Thuc edioavevamolintenzionedifarecichefalaChiesa.Hisemphasis.

xx[20]JosephF.Collins,NotesofInterviewwithGurard,LaCharit(France),August1987. xxi[21]ClarenceKelly,etal.,InterviewwithNolBarbara,GreenwichCT,May1990. xxii[22]SeeJ.McHugh&C.Callan,MoralTheology,NewYork:Wagner1929),1:643.Judgmentsaremorally

certain,whenerrorisimpossibleaccordingtowhatiscustomaryamongmankind,theoppositeofwhatisheld bythemindbeingsounlikelythatitwouldbeimprudenttobemovedbyit.

*Adnotatioeditoris:Nequidadevotisetiamrudislectoribusceleretur,auctorreverendusplanumfacitsedicere
fabulam,latiusinStatibusFoederatisAmericaeabephemeridibusaliissordidisdiffusam,quodE.Presley, citharoedumacdivumpopulogratissimum(quiRexappellabaturetobiitcircaidibusAugusti,anno MCMLXXVII),nonveroobiisse,sedvivitjam,quasiinocculto,interdumtamensevidendumpraestans, praesertimuxoribustabernasaromatariasfrequentibusexemplumimmovividum,etiamsinimirumab auctoribusprobatishaudhucusquecitatum.

xxiii[23]McHugh&Callan,1:645. xxiv[24]J.Nabuco,PontificalisRomaniExpositioJuridicoPractica(NewYork:Benziger1945),1:218. xxv[25]Forvalidity,itisnotevennecessarythatthebishopgetallthewordsexactlyright,aslongashedoes

notchangethemeaningsubstantially.SeeE.Regatillo,JusSacramentarium(Santander:SalTerrae1949),873.

xxvi[26]Wanenmacher,408. xxvii[27]Wanenmacher,500.Similarlywhenthefactofbaptismhasbeenestablished,butthevalidityremains
doubtful,thereisageneralpresumptioninfavorofvalidity.ThisisespeciallytrueofCatholicbaptism,andthe presumptioniselidedonlybyastrictprooftothecontrary.

xxviii[28]Wanenmacher,411.UndertheCodemarriagehasthefavoroflaw:hencewhenthereisadoubt,we
mustholdtothevalidityofthemarriageuntilthecontraryisproved(c.1014).

xxix[29]S.Woywood,PracticalCommentaryontheCodeofCanonLaw(NewYork:Wagner1952),1905.Asacred
orderispresumedvaliduntilitsinvalidityisestablishedbyprooftotheeffectthatitwasreceivedwithwantof intentiononthepartofthepetitioner.

xxx[30]L.Fanfani,ManualeTheoricopracticumTheologiaeMoralis(Rome:Ferrari1949),4:50.Econtraminister
quilevitertantumautnegativetantum,dubitat,debonaadministrationealicuiussacramenti,e.g.non recordaturseverbaformaepronuntiasse,nilrepeteredebet,quinimmopeccatsifacit:omneenimfactum, supponendumestritefactum,nisipositiveconstetcontrarium.Myemphasis.

xxxi[31]P.Gasparri,TractatusdeSacraOrdinatione(Paris:Delhomme1893),1:970.tumquiaactus,praesertim
adeosolemnisqualisestordinatio,habendusestutvalidus,donecinvaliditasnonevincatur.

xxxii[32]B.Merkelbach,SummaTheologiaeMoralis(Bruges:Descle1962)3:165.Ubiergopersonaomninoseria,
etiammeraobstetrix,quaesitfidedigna,circumspecta,etinritubaptizandiinstructa,assereretinfantemaserite baptizatumesse,nonessetcurdevaloreBaptismiseriodubitaretur;.....

xxxiii[33]U.Beste,IntroductioInCodicem(CollegevilleMN:St.Johns1946),951.Hincordinescollatiab
episcopisschismaticisecclesiaeorientalis,iansenistisinBatavia(Hollandia),veterumcatholicoruminGermania etHelvetia,validihabendisunt,nisiincasuparticularivitiumessentialeadmissumfuerit.

xxxiv[34]P.Laghi[toE.Berry],Letter28September1988.InresponsetoyourinquiryofSeptember23,1988,
theepiscopalordinationofGuerarddesLauriers,whilevalid,wasgravelyillicit.

xxxv[35]B.Leeming,PrinciplesofSacramentalTheology(Westminstermd:Newman1956),482.Thisprincipleis
affirmedascertaintheologicaldoctrine,taughtbytheChurch,todenywhichwouldbetheologicallyrashthe ministerispresumedtointendwhattheritemeans..Hisemphasis.

xxxvi[36]BullApostolicaeCurae,13September1896.Iamveroquumquisadsacramentumconficiendumet
conferendummateriamformamquedebitamserioacriteadhibuit,eoipsocenseturidnimirumfacereintendisse quodfacitEcclesia.

xxxvii[37]TractatusdeSacraOrdinatione,1:970.Proindenumquampraesumiturministrumtalemintentionem
nonordinandihabuisseinordinationeperagenda,doneccontrariumnonprobetur;tumquianemopraesumitur malus,nisiprobeturHisemphasis.Theforegoingprincipleslikewisedefeattheargumentsofthosewho believethatLefebvresconsecrator,Lienart,wasaMason(aphonycharge)andthusthatLefebvresordinations aredoubtful.

xxxviii[38]M.ConteaCoronata,DeSacramentis:TractatusCanonicus(Turin:Marietti1943)1:56.Virtualisenim
intentio,utiamvidimus,estintentioipsaactualisquaecumdistractioneoperatur.Talisintentiocertehabeturin eoquidemoreponitactionessacramentales.

xxxix[39]EidesstattlicheErklrung,loc.cit.,Mgr.NgodinhThucspendetedieWeihenimVollbesitz
seinergeistigenKrfte.

xl[40]Collins,GurardInterviewNotes. xli[41]Sodalitium4(May1987),24.AttesocheMons.Thucedioavevamolintenzionedifarecichefala
Chiesa.

xlii[42]Conference,Cincinnati,13December1991.

xliii[43]JosephCollins,NotesofInterviewwithNolBarbara,November1989. xliv[44]Declaration19December1981,reprintedinEinsicht(March1982). xlv[45]Declaration25February1982.ThetextwastranscribedandreprintedinEinsicht(March1982). xlvi[46]ThuctoGurard,undatedletter[early1982].ExcellentissimeDomine:Recepilitterastuastantumhis

diebus,quianonsuminurbeToulonjamabunomense.Inillaepistola,voluisticognoscereutrumconcelebravi, annopraeterito,indiequintaSanctaehebdomadaecumEpiscopohujusdiocesis.Utique,cumilloEpiscopo celebravi,quiailladienonpotuicelebraviinmeodomosecundumlegemEcclesiae.Tudixistiquodegocommisi peccatum,quiasecundumte,Missailliusepiscopieratinvalida.SperoquodDeusnonmejudicavitita crudeliter,quiaerraviinbonafide.+P.M.NgdinhThuc.

xlvii[47]Therecipientofthesacrament,hisdiocesanordinary,andtheordinaryofthediocesewherethe

sacramentwasconferred.SeeCanon1994.1.Validitatemsacraeordinationisaccusarevaletclericusperaequeac Ordinariuscuiclericussubsitvelincuiusdiocesiordinatussit.

xlviii[48]SeeCappello4:683.Aliaepersonaeextraneaeproculdubiojureaccusandicarent. xlix[49]DeSynodoDiocesana13.13.7.Etutroquecasualiquiddesideratur,quodadejusdemactussolemnitatem,
etpraescriptorumrituumobservantiampertinet;quandoquideminprimafactispeciedeestduorumAntistitum praesentiaasacriscanonibusstatuta;inalteraverodesideraturpraesentiaduorumSacerdotum,quosPontifex adhibendosvoluit.

l[50]Z.Zitelli,ApparatusJurisEcclesiastici(Rome:1888),23.Siquandonecessitaspostuletvelimpossibilitasadsit
treshabendiEpiscopos,RomaniPontificiseritindulgereutconsecratioabunofiatEpiscopocumassistentia duorumSacerdotum,quiindignitateecclesiasticaconstitutisint,veletiamasoloEpiscopoabsqueulla assistentia,utsaepeusuvenitinlocissacrarummissionum.

li[51]S.Many,PraelectionesdeSacraOrdinatione(Paris:Letouzey1905),519.AlexanderVII,breviOnerosa,4Feb.
1664,concessitutaliquaepiscopalisordinatio,apudSinas,fieretabunotantumepiscopo,cumassistentia duorumpresbyterorum,etetiam,siopusesset,sineillorumassistentia.

lii[52]BriefDecetRomanum,23December1673,3.ThePontiffspecificallyconfirmedtheprivilegesgrantedby
AlexanderVII,amongthem,performingthemunusconsecrationiscumassistentiaaliorumduorum presbyterorum,etiamsinonessentepiscopi,necinecclesiasticadignitateconstituti,siadessent,sinminus,etiam sineillorumassistentia

liii[53]BriefExigitPastoralis,22July1798.munusconsecrationiscumadsistentiaaliorumduorum
presbyterorum,etiamsinonsintEpiscopi,necinecclesiasticadignitateconstituti,siadfuerint,sinminusetiam sineillorumassistentia

liv[54]J.McHugh,TheCasuist(NewYork:Wagner1917),5:241. lv[55]P.Lesourde,LeJsuiteClandestine:Mgr.MicheldHerbigny(Paris:Lethielleux),70.Intheaccountofhis
secretconsecration,Mgr.dHerbignywrites:LeNonceexpliquaqueRomeluiavaitdabordprescritdtreseul aveclePredHerbigny.Ilavaitfaitvaloirque,sanslaprsencedaumoinsunassistant,lacremonielui semblaitirralisable,neseraitcequepourmaintenirleMisselsurlespaulesduconsacr.

lvi[56]SeeLesourde,76ff.

lvii[57]D.Bouix,TractatusdeEpiscopo(Paris:Ruffet1873),1:243.Sedetiamsifiatconsecratioabsqueullis
assistentibus,etabsqueobtentaPontificiadispensatione,adhucvalidaerit.

lviii[58]E.Regatillo,InterpretatioetJurisprudentiaCodicisJ.C.(Santander:SalTerrae1953),465.Unusepiscopus
sufficitadvaliditatemconsecrationis,dummodoritumessentialemcumdebitaintentioneponat.Idqueetsisine pontificiadispensationeunicussitquiconsecrationiintersit.Myemphasis.

lix[59]BriefAlias,27February1660.Quantumspectatadsacramentumetimpressionemcharacterisfuisse
validam.

lx[60]DeSynodoDiocesana13.13.910.consecrationemhujusmodivalidam,licetillicitam,essecensueruntratam
firmamque,sedillicitamConsecrationempronuntiavit.Benedictsemphasis,quotingClementsdecreeof26 November1718.

lxi[61]Cappello,1:36.Inministrononrequiriturnecstatusgratiae,necvitaeprobitas,imonecipsafides,ad validamsacramentorumconfectionemveladministrationem.Haecestveritascatholicadefide.Hisemphasis.