For reference, you can read the first part of the interview with Bishop Schneider at the following link: [link]
Henryk Piec and Anna Wysocka talk to His Excellency Athanasius Schneider, Auxiliary Bishop of Astana.
Many influential people in the Church were formed during the time of communism. Today, they hold high offices and exercise real power in the Church. In Your Excellency’s view, could these individuals be a kind of “fifth column” working to bring the Church down from within?
I believe some hierarchs are indeed using their position to harm the Church from within. When we see that the Vatican promotes well-known liberals—people who have already publicly declared their views—it becomes clear that there must be individuals in the Vatican, well-placed, who share the same mindset. I think these are people without the grace of faith, or with very weak faith, yet they hold power. This situation reminds me of the great crisis of the Arian heresy in the 4th century. Back then, faithful bishops and priests—like St. Athanasius—were marginalized, persecuted, and driven out of churches. St. Athanasius said to the heretical bishops: “You have the buildings, but we have the faith.” And I believe we are witnessing a similar situation today.
We’ve heard rumors that His Excellency is planning a visit to Pope Leo XIV.
I do not confirm this information. I have never said that I intend to visit Pope Leo XIV, nor do I have such intentions — unless the Pope himself summons me. If I were ever granted that honor, I would most certainly present myself at the foot of the Throne of Peter and, with due reverence, ask His Holiness to restore the full splendor of the Traditional Latin Rite Mass. I believe that many of the faithful are awaiting such a magnanimous gesture from the Holy Father. We have to block a progressive modernism in our Church. We must put a stop to the growing modernism in the Church!
Could Your Excellency explain to the faithful what you mean by the term “modernism”?
Modernism is a movement that began over a hundred years ago. In short, it is based on a lack of faith and on rationalism. Modernists deny miracles, deny the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist, and even doubt Divine Revelation. They treat Christianity as a mere historical phenomenon—no different from Buddhism or Islam. Pope Pius X strongly condemned modernism in his encyclical Pascendi Dominici Gregis and introduced the Oath Against Modernism (which was in force from 1910 to 1967), which every priest was required to take before ordination. This oath clearly rejected the errors of modernism. However, after the Second Vatican Council, Pope Paul VI abolished the oath, considering it outdated. Modernism began to spread again—especially in seminaries and theological faculties. The oath was abolished precisely when it was most needed. Since then—for over 60 years—modernism and relativism have penetrated the very heart of the Church. This is the core of today’s crisis.
So the cause of the crisis in the Church is modernism and relativism?
Yes. The belief that truth changes with time is a very attractive notion among bishops. Unfortunately, it influences doctrine, liturgy, and morality. We’re dealing with a mechanism such as this: “50 years ago, the Church held that homosexuality was a sin, but times have changed, society now accepts it, so the Church should accept it too,” or the same logic is applied to arguments for women’s ordination: “50 years ago, this was not allowed, but now we must promote women, so the Church’s teaching can change.” This is the poison of modernism, and it is now deeply rooted in the Church. I must strongly emphasize that in certain respects, modernism is even worse than Protestantism—because it attacks the very essence of revealed truth. And unfortunately — I say this with a deeply sorrowful heart — during the 12 years of Pope Francis’s pontificate, he was one of the greatest promoters of relativism. It was a very difficult trial for the Roman Church. Today, we look to Pope Leo XIV with great hope.
What can we, the ordinary faithful, do? How can we help our Church?
The first thing, of course, is prayer—concrete, focused prayer. For example, we can pray: “Lord, enlighten Pope Leo XIV. Help him to see the dangers the Church now faces, give him courage and spiritual strength to act decisively.” Such specific prayer has great power. Second, we can offer a sacrifice—each according to their state in life. Fasting, even occasionally. Making time for God, even when we’re busy and caught up in daily matters: “I don’t have time” is not a good excuse. We must find that time. The situation is too serious to postpone things. And finally: stand in the truth. Deepen your faith, pass it on to your children, support good priests. The more we live in truth, the more we help the Church.
Are the sacraments administered by the Society of St. Pius X valid?
Yes. Pope Francis himself granted all priests of the Society of St. Pius X (FSSPX) the jurisdiction to hear confessions—the Society is part of the Church. Priests of the Society have also been authorized by the Holy See to assist at the celebration of marriages. Therefore, claiming that the sacraments administered by the Society are illegal is fundamentally false. It is true that from a purely legal point of view, the Society’s Masses may be viewed as “not fully regular,” because the Society as a community has not been canonically recognized by the Pope. But that’s a matter of legalism—and we should not focus on legalism within the Church. What truly matters is the faith, and the Society preserves it in its fullness.
During the pontificate of Pope Francis, many conflicting signals were sent. Sometimes my mother couldn’t believe what she was hearing in Church—even when it came directly from the Vatican. She would say: “There must have been some mistake in the translation, because that just doesn’t sound Catholic anymore.”
During Pope Francis’s pontificate, many of the faithful felt the same. We would say: “No, that can’t be—it must be a poor translation from Latin.” We didn’t want to believe all those absurdities… It reminds me of the story of the emperor’s new clothes. Everyone said how beautiful the emperor’s robes were, yet he was completely naked. And only one honest little child had the courage to say what was obvious: “The emperor has no clothes!” If we want to survive this spiritual war, we must stand in the truth and proclaim the truth out loud. We might offend someone, but the most important thing—which every Catholic must know—is the human soul.
How does Your Excellency view contemporary Polish Catholicism?
I know that Polish Catholicism is still strong and carries great spiritual power—especially the faith of simple people. The Polish have been given a great grace, and we must thank God for the deep piety and devotion that still lives among Polish faithful. Even when Polish Catholics emigrate and live in other countries, they bring with them a strong and authentic Catholic spirit. Very often, they set a good example and thus help strengthen the local Church in the places where they settle. For instance, in England there are entire Polish parishes, or groups of Poles in local parishes, who are known for their piety. Throughout history, Polish Catholicism has distinguished itself by loyalty to the Church, resistance to its enemies, and perseverance in the faith during times of great trial.
In Poland, too, the Church is opening up to the world.
That’s true—not so much among the faithful, but within the clergy, including bishops, and especially in seminaries. I know for certain that in some seminaries, seminarians are forbidden to kneel when receiving Holy Communion. This is a very troubling phenomenon. It’s one of the reasons why the Mass of All Ages is growing dynamically in Poland—because it allows the faithful to express deep reverence toward the Lord Jesus present in the Eucharist, just as your ancestors did. The Tridentine Mass attracts people through its beauty, truth, and deep piety—it’s a real spiritual experience. Young people, especially those who want to live their Catholic faith seriously and authentically, are naturally “drawn” to the Tridentine Mass because they’re often tired of what they see around them—this “everydayness” and “ordinariness”—and they long for something new, something different, but not for the sake of novelty alone. They long to experience their faith deeply and authentically. I know many Poles; I carry you in my heart and pray for your nation.
May God bless you. In nomine Patris, et Filii et Spiritus Sancti. Amen!
