Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen remains one of the most beloved Catholic figures of the 20th century. A master communicator, best-selling author, and tireless evangelist, he brought the faith to millions through radio and television. Known for his deep love of the The Extraordinary Form, elaborate liturgical vestments, and the rich pageantry of Catholic worship, Sheen embodied orthodox, vibrant Catholicism.
Yet in 1978, this same traditional bishop issued a clear and firm warning against the Society of St. Pius X (SSPX), the group founded by Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre in response to post-Vatican II changes. In a private letter that later became public, Sheen urged a concerned mother to steer her friend away from the fledgling society, describing it as lacking ecclesiastical approval and risking schism and even heresy.
The Letter in Context
Dated September 21, 1978, the letter was addressed to a woman named Barbara, the mother of eight young children. She had written to Sheen about a friend involved with the SSPX. Here is the key excerpt:
> “If you have any influence on your friend I would beg you to influence her to leave the so-called Society of Saint Pius X. This group has no ecclesiastical approval, and indeed, it can lead her and possibly her family into schism and even heresy.”
Sheen went on to defend the liturgical reforms of Vatican II and Pope Paul VI:
> “The Vatican Council approved the updating of the Liturgy and amongst the changes were those recommended for the Mass. The changes made by Pope Paul VI were not doctrinal changes, they merely changed from Latin to the vernacular. There have been many changes in the Mass down through the centuries.”
He concluded with a strong pastoral appeal:
> “I beg of you to tell her that she should withdraw from that schismatical sect as soon as possible, or suffer the consequence of possibly finding herself outside the Church.”
This letter was not hidden. It circulated, reached SSPX circles, and was published in the November 1978 issue of The Angelus, the society’s own magazine, along with a detailed rebuttal from a supporter.
Why This Matters: Even a Traditional Giant Said “No”
Sheen celebrated the Extraordinary Form throughout much of his life and cherished the beauty of Catholic liturgy. He was no liberal reformer. Yet he viewed the SSPX’s rejection of the post-conciliar Church’s authority as a dangerous path. He distinguished between legitimate attachment to tradition and separation from the visible unity of the Church under the Pope.
This stands in contrast to the common narrative today that any strong traditionalist must naturally support or sympathize with the SSPX. Sheen’s words remind us that fidelity to the Extraordinary Form and love of tradition do not require breaking from Rome or rejecting the Council’s liturgical directives (even if one prefers the older rites).
Historical Backdrop
At the time of the letter, the SSPX was still relatively new and operating without full canonical approval. Archbishop Lefebvre had not yet performed the 1988 episcopal consecrations that led to automatic excommunications (later lifted for the bishops themselves in 2009, though the society’s canonical status remains irregular). Sheen’s concerns were rooted in the principle of obedience and unity, not personal animosity.
A Timeless Lesson
Archbishop Sheen’s letter challenges Catholics across the spectrum. For traditionalists, it warns against letting love of the old rites eclipse submission to legitimate Church authority. For mainstream Catholics, it affirms that attachment to beautiful liturgy and doctrinal clarity is not inherently divisive—Sheen himself modeled that balance.
In an age of continued liturgical debates and polarization, Sheen’s voice cuts through: true Catholicism embraces both the treasures of the past and fidelity to the living Magisterium.
References
- Letter from Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen to Barbara (September 21, 1978), published in The Angelus, November 1978.
- Responses and context from SSPX publication archives.
- Various contemporary discussions confirming authenticity, including rebuttals from the era.
