Pentecost XXII, The Mission of the Church in the Modern World - Fr. Philip Eldracher 10-24-18

Summary

Fr. Philip Eldracher delivers a detailed sermon focused on the Catholic Church’s mission to preach the Gospel to all nations, emphasizing the necessity of legitimate authorization—referred to as jurisdiction—from Christ and his Church for any priest or missionary to validly perform sacramental and apostolic duties. The homily highlights the theological and canonical foundation of this authority, tracing it from Christ to the apostles, notably St. Peter, through the popes and bishops down to priests. It stresses that without this authorization, priests cannot licitly celebrate Mass, hear confessions, or perform other sacramental functions.

Fr. Eldracher critiques the post-Vatican II Church, particularly the legitimacy of recent popes and the Novus Ordo Mass, viewing them as a departure from true Catholic doctrine and a cause of schism. The concept of the “Unicum Mass” is introduced as a Mass celebrated in union with what the speaker considers a false ecclesiastical hierarchy, which renders the Mass intrinsically evil due to its association with heresies and errors such as ecumenism, religious liberty, and modern moral deviations.

Fr. Eldracher asserts the intrinsic evil of abortion, condemning recent legislation legalizing it as a crime against God and the innocent. He draws a parallel between this evil and the blasphemous nature of the Unicum Mass. The necessity of “supplied jurisdiction” is explained as a form of jurisdiction granted by necessity by Christ Himself when no legitimate pope or bishops exist, allowing priests to continue their sacred duties to save souls despite the absence of official authorization.

The homily concludes by calling the faithful to renew their commitment to true Catholic doctrine, to reject modern errors, and to pray for the propagation of the faith on Mission Sunday.

Highlights

• The Catholic mission to preach the Gospel to all nations is founded on Christ’s commission to his apostles, requiring legitimate authorization (jurisdiction).
• Only those sent and authorized by Christ’s Church can validly perform sacramental functions such as celebrating Mass and hearing confessions.
• Post-Vatican II changes, including the Novus Ordo Mass and the legitimacy of recent popes, are viewed as departures from true Catholicism, causing schism and error.
• The “Unicum Mass,” offered in union with a false hierarchy, is intrinsically evil and blasphemous due to its association with heresy and moral error.
• Abortion is condemned as intrinsically evil, with new legalizations described as crimes against God and the innocent soul.
• The concept of “supplied jurisdiction” allows priests to function legitimately in extraordinary circumstances where no valid ecclesiastical authority exists.
• Mission Sunday is a call to renew fervor for true Catholic doctrine and the propagation of the faith, highlighting the spiritual necessity of separating from modern innovations.

Key Insights

• Theological Foundation of Missionary Authority: The homily establishes that the authority to preach and administer sacraments is not inherent in the priestly ordination alone but depends on a juridical commission from Christ through the Church’s hierarchical structure. This underscores the Catholic understanding of the Church as a divinely instituted society with structured governance essential for sacramental validity and unity. The emphasis on “jurisdiction” highlights a canonical and theological distinction often overlooked in broader Christian circles.
• Distinction Between Catholic and Protestant Missions: By contrasting Catholic missionaries with Protestant “false missionaries,” Fr. Eldracher reflects a traditional Catholic ecclesiology that views Protestant communities as separated and lacking the fullness of truth and authority. This reinforces the Catholic claim to exclusive legitimacy based on apostolic succession and proper jurisdiction.
• Critique of Vatican II and Post-Pius XII Popes: The sermon aligns with a sedevacantist or similar traditionalist critique that denies the legitimacy of the Vatican II Church and its hierarchy. This stance illustrates a significant internal conflict within contemporary Catholicism regarding authority, legitimacy, and doctrinal continuity, which affects the understanding of valid jurisdiction and mission authority.
• Intrinsic Evil of the Unicum Mass: The Unicum Mass is presented as a grave theological error—a Mass offered in communion with what is seen as a heretical and apostate Church leadership. Fr. Eldracher reveals a deep concern about liturgical and doctrinal purity, indicating that union with heresy corrupts even the highest acts of worship. This insight underlines the integral link between orthodoxy and the vali