Sedevacantism

Sedevacantism is a specific movement within traditionalist Catholicism. The term comes from the Latin phrase "sede vacante," which means "the chair being vacant."

In the Catholic Church, a "see" refers to the seat of a bishop. Usually, a see becomes vacant when a leader dies or is removed. This vacancy lasts only until a successor is chosen. However, sedevacantists believe the Papacy itself is currently empty. They hold that the leaders in the Vatican are not valid popes. Instead, they argue these individuals are "antipopes" who lack true authority.

The movement is rooted in a rejection of changes from the Second Vatican Council (1962–1965). Sedevacantists disagree with the council's documents on religious liberty and ecumenism. They believe these ideas contradict traditional Catholic teachings. They also reject new disciplinary norms, such as the New Order of Mass from 1969. To them, these changes undermine the historical faith. They argue that because the teachings are false, the leaders issuing them cannot be true popes. This creates a fundamental break from the current Church hierarchy.

The origins of this belief can be traced to the 1960s. In Mexico, a group called Los TECOS held radical views. Their spiritual director, the Jesuit priest Joaquín Sáenz y Arriaga, was a key pioneer.

In 1965, Los TECOS leaders proposed that Pope Paul VI was an illegitimate pope. While another group, El Yunque, rejected this idea, a split occurred in the Mexican traditionalist scene. In 1971, Sáenz y Arriaga published "The New Montinian Church." This work brought these private suspicions into the public sphere. He later wrote "Sede Vacante: Paul VI is Not a Legitimate Pope" in 1973. This book helped define the movement and provided its name.

Different factions within the movement hold different views on history. Some believe the "Great Apostasy" began with the Second Vatican Council. Others argue the vacancy started with the death of Pius XII in 1958. Some even trace the issue back to 1914 with Pope Benedict XV. These followers believe earlier popes were also part of the problem. These varying timelines show how complex the movement's history is. Each group uses different historical markers to justify their stance.

To justify their position, sedevacantists look to theological authorities. Some follow the Jesuit theologian Robert Bellarmine.

Bellarmine argued that a pope who becomes a "manifest heretic" loses his office automatically. This means no formal legal procedure is required to end his authority. Other followers, such as the Dominican faction, disagree. They follow thinkers like Charles-René Billuart.

This group believes a heretical pope must be removed by a General Council. This led to the "sedeprivationist" thesis, which claims claimants are popes "materially but not formally."

In the United States, the movement grew through various organizations. The Orthodox Roman Catholic Movement was founded in 1973 by Fr. Francis Fenton. Another major figure was Francis Schuckardt.

He founded the Traditional Latin Rite Catholic Church (TLRCC). While these groups vary, they all share a focus on traditional rites. They often operate independently of the mainstream Catholic Church. Their existence highlights deep divisions regarding religious authority and tradition.

It is difficult to measure the exact size of this movement. Estimates suggest there are tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of followers. Some small factions are known as "conclavists." These individuals attempt to end the perceived vacancy by electing their own popes.

Notable examples include David Bawden and Victor von Pentz. However, these self-elected leaders have gained very little credibility. Most sedevacantists remain focused on the belief that the See of Rome is waiting for a truly legitimate successor.