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Catholics warned off 'breakaway' Singapore
church
Society of Saint Pius X not recognised by the Vatican; parishioners
could risk excommunication for attending services
By Chong Chee Kin
THE Catholic Church here has spoken out against what it considers
to be a breakaway group now actively seeking to expand its
flock.
Over the past two Sundays, priests have been warning their
parishioners to stay clear of the Society of Saint Pius X, based in
Killiney Road.
Priests have told parishioners they should not take part in
services conducted by the society. One even said that doing so
could lead to excommunication from the Church.
The society, founded in 1969, is not recognised by the Vatican. It
began operating here about four years ago, but is drawing flak now
because of recent self-promotion efforts.
In particular, the Catholic Church took issue with a picture of Our
Lady of Perpetual Succour - the Virgin Mary - used by the society
on its promotional flyers.
This prompted warnings to the 120,000 Catholics here that the
society was confusing people into thinking it had the support of
the Church.
It has attracted almost 130 followers to its services, conducted by
Father Daniel Couture, a Frenchman, and Father David Pagliarani, an
Italian.
Its premises on the second floor of the Tai Wah Building include a
prayer hall for about 40 people, a library and living quarters for
the two priests.
Headquartered in Switzerland, the society's members include actor
Mel Gibson, who directed the film The Passion Of The Christ.
Father Henry Siew, a theologian who lectures at the St Francis
Xavier Major Seminary in Punggol, wrote that the society is
off-limits to Roman Catholics.
The reasons he gives are that it rejects the authority of the Pope,
ordains its own priests and promotes radical teachings, including
the belief that all other religions are false.
Father Siew added that the society also claims that non-Catholic
Christians must convert to the Catholic faith.
'It fails to understand that... the Church's mission is neither to
condemn people of other faiths nor to impose itself on them,' he
said.
But Father Pagliarani denied that the society rejected the Pope's
authority.
The Pope is still included in prayers during its mass, which is
conducted in Latin.
'Our position is not to go against the official Church, but to
preserve the faith and the tradition. We recognise the Pope, but we
believe our duty is to refuse the teachings when they are not in
line with his predecessors,' the priest said.
He also denied that the society is schismatic, saying: 'We did not
break away from the official Church to create another church. We
did it to be faithful to the traditional teaching.'
That is why it does not accept the Church's position of engaging in
dialogue with other Christian groups and religions, and insists on
conducting services in Latin.
'It is a sacred language which separates the rite from a common
act,' he said.
