An Open Letter to the Faithful Remnant

Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

                         The Church today finds herself in a state of unprecedented crisis—a doctrinal, moral, and liturgical catastrophe that threatens the very deposit of Faith handed down from the Apostles. What we witness is not mere human failing or pastoral clumsiness, but a systematic erosion of the truths once defended by saints and martyrs. The sacred liturgy, once a bulwark of reverence and orthodoxy, has been replaced in many places by innovations that reduce worship to a variety show, mere entertainment, and little more than platforms for immoral socio-political ideology. Teachings on marriage, the family, and human sexuality have been clouded by ambiguity or outright rejected by accommodation to the spirit of the age. The ordination of women, the normalization of same-sex relationships, and a general softening of perennial moral doctrine have sown confusion among the flock. This is not development in continuity; it is rupture.

Sacred Scripture warns us of such times. Saint Paul admonishes the Galatians: “But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach a gospel to you besides that which we have preached to you, let him be anathema” (Galatians 1:8). The Church has faced heresies before, but never has the confusion originated so persistently from within the highest levels of Church authority. Those entrusted with guarding the Faith appear to have lost it, or at minimum, have shown themselves negligent in its defense. Their actions and words often deviate sharply from the clear teaching of Scripture, the Councils, and the Apostolic Tradition of the Church. In such times it is the duty of the Faithful remnant to resist the heretics. History provides clear precedents for this stance. 
Saint Athanasius stood virtually alone against the near-universal Arian infection of the episcopate in the 4th century, defending the full divinity of Christ while many bishops, influenced by imperial pressure and popular opinion, embraced compromise. He was repeatedly exiled for his fidelity. 
Saint Hilary of Poitiers likewise resisted the Arian emperors and compromised bishops, earning the title “Hammer of the Arians.” 
In the 13th century, Saint Thomas Aquinas fearlessly confronted Averroist errors even when they enjoyed protection in universities.
In every age, when error spread even among bishops, the true remnant preserved the Faith by appealing to Scripture, the Church Fathers, and Apostolic Tradition rather than current majority opinion. As Saint Vincent of Lérins taught in his Commonitorium, true Christian doctrine is “that which has been believed everywhere, always, by all.” When novelty contradicts this, it cannot claim the authority of the Church.
We, the Apostolic Society of the Good Shepherd, therefore reject, in conscience and before God, the innovations that contradict the Faith of our fathers. The Church does not belong to any particular nation, monarch, pontificate or episcopal conference; she is the Mystical Body of Christ, founded upon the rock of Peter for the salvation of souls. When shepherds lead the flock toward error, the faithful are not bound to follow. As Saint Paul told the Corinthians: “For what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? And what communion hath light with darkness?” (2 Corinthians 6:14).
We call all Christians of good will to return steadfastly to the Faith St. Vincent of Lérins sought to defend; to Sacred Scripture understood in the light of the Patristic Witness and first Four Ecumenical Councils, to Apostolic liturgical principles and reverence, and to the unchanging moral teaching that has guided the saints for two millennia. Avoid whatever endangers your faith or that of your children.
Stand firm, beloved faithful. “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast and unmovable; always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 15:58). Even if this means appearing separated from the mainstream or facing misunderstanding, remain faithful to Christ and His unchanging doctrine. The gates of Hell shall not prevail against the Church (Matthew 16:18), but the wheat and the tares grow together until the harvest. Our duty is to be found among the wheat. We invite all clergy and laity who wish to be "wheat" to join with us as the Lord leads.

In the love of Christ and fidelity to the Faith,

Fr. J. Davila-Ashcraft

Superior General