The newspaper for the Archdiocese of Milwaukee has published an article on churches in the area that call themselves Catholic:

(I’d like to know if any other diocesan papers have done something like this. It strikes me as a useful thing, but I suspect the general attitude is, "We’ll just pretend they don’t exist.")

It’s a pretty good article, but I think it would be helped by a bit more clarity: a graphic, perhaps – the churches/chapels described are listed, but the listing would be improved by a simple association with each name. Instead you have to search through the article to try to make sense of it and keep them all straight. A little more historical background on each group would clarify things as well.

I’m sure that SSPX adherents will argue about this, though:

Picture this scenario. You’re unable to attend Sunday Mass over the weekend at your home parish, yet you spot a quaint chapel in Mukwonago called St. Pius V Chapel offering “Catholic Mass” at a convenient time.

If you attend the service conducted in Latin in the Tridentine rite by a priest of the Society of St. Pius X, would you have fulfilled your Sunday Mass obligation?

According to Zabrina Decker, vice chancellor of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee, the answer is no.

St. Pius V Chapel is one of a handful of groups or places within the geographic boundaries of the Archdiocese of Milwaukee that, according to a recent chancery newsletter, “use the title ‘Catholic,’ or describe services in a way that could lead to that identification,” yet are not recognized as Catholic by the Milwaukee Archdiocese.

I’m sure it will also irk some to have the SSPX tossed into the same article as this group:

According to Baiocchi, Jesus Our Shepherd community began in May 2001 “as a Eucharist-centered faith community” at the request of Catholic people living in the Nenno area left churchless by the closing and sale of SS. Peter and Paul.

“We call ourselves an inclusive Catholic Church. We consider ourselves to be an inclusive branch of the Roman Catholic Church. We welcome people whose spiritual needs are not being met by other churches or congregations,” he said, adding most of the 60 to 90 people who attend regular Sunday services are people — not just Catholics — who have been hurt by religion.

He said the church offers a full range of ministries, including baptisms, weddings, first Communions, confirmations, anointings, memorial services and burial of the dead.

…as well as the Old Catholic Church of America.