Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer
Deep in the remote Orkney Islands of Scotland, a unique Catholic religious order, the Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer, has carved out a distinctive path. Born from a traditionalist movement, they undertook a remarkable journey from isolation to full reconciliation with the Vatican, even expanding their mission across the globe. Yet, their fascinating story recently took a challenging turn, highlighting the complexities of religious life and community oversight. The Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer began as a traditionalist splinter group before seeking reconciliation with the Catholic Church under Pope Benedict XVI. Their spiritual home is the remote Scottish island of Papa Stronsay, where they lead a monastic life and have published 'The Catholic' monthly for decades. Recent allegations of abuse within their New Zealand community led to a significant suspension of their ministerial faculties in the Diocese of Christchurch.
AI Summary
Deep in the remote Orkney Islands of Scotland, a unique Catholic religious order, the Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer, has carved out a distinctive path. Born from a traditionalist movement, they undertook a remarkable journey from isolation to full reconciliation with the Vatican, even expanding their mission across the globe. Yet, their fascinating story recently took a challenging turn, highlighting the complexities of religious life and community oversight.
- The Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer began as a traditionalist splinter group before seeking reconciliation with the Catholic Church under Pope Benedict XVI.
- Their spiritual home is the remote Scottish island of Papa Stronsay, where they lead a monastic life and have published 'The Catholic' monthly for decades.
- Recent allegations of abuse within their New Zealand community led to a significant suspension of their ministerial faculties in the Diocese of Christchurch.
A Remote Calling: The Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer
Imagine a tiny island in the rugged Orkneys, far off the northern coast of Scotland. Here, the Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer — or FSSR — found their sanctuary. This unique Catholic religious institute follows a monastic rule inspired by Saint Alphonsus Liguori, aiming for a life of prayer and traditional observance.
From Offshoot to Order
Their story began in 1988, when Redemptorist priest Michael Mary Sim founded the community as the Transalpine Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer. Initially, they were a traditionalist offshoot, aligning themselves with the Society of Saint Pius X—a group known for its conservative stance regarding the Second Vatican Council.
A Nomadic Beginning
Like many burgeoning communities, their early years involved seeking a permanent home. They first settled at the Monastery of the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary on the Isle of Sheppey in Kent, England. But by 1994, they had moved across the channel to France, to the Mother of Perpetual Succour Monastery in Joinville.
Finding Sanctuary on Papa Stronsay
It wasn't until 1999 that they truly found their unique spiritual haven. On May 31st, they purchased Papa Stronsay, one of the Orkney Islands, establishing the remote Golgotha Monastery. From this windswept outpost, they've published 'The Catholic' monthly since 1982, advocating for traditional Catholic practices.
Expanding Their Horizon
Their mission soon extended beyond the Scottish Isles. In July 2007, the FSSR established a second monastery in the far-flung city of Christchurch, New Zealand. This expansion marked a significant step for the community, bringing their traditionalist Redemptorist charism to a new continent.
A Call to Reconciliation
A pivotal moment arrived in June 2008, when the community petitioned the Holy See for reconciliation with the mainstream Catholic Church. This was a monumental decision, reflecting a desire to return to full canonical good standing after years of operating outside direct Vatican authority.
Pope Benedict XVI, known for his outreach to traditionalist groups, accepted their petition. His groundbreaking motu proprio, Summorum Pontificum—which greatly liberalized the use of the Traditional Latin Mass—was a major incentive for the community to re-evaluate their position and seek formal communion.
A New Identity and a Split
This move wasn't without its challenges. Most members embraced reconciliation, but a remnant chose to remain affiliated with the Society of Saint Pius X. The reconciled community changed its official name to 'The Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer' and subtly altered their religious habit to distinguish themselves from the original Redemptorist order.
Canonical Recognition
On August 15, 2012, the FSSR reached another milestone: formal canonical recognition. Hugh Gilbert, the Bishop of Aberdeen, officially erected the community, then numbering fifteen members, as a clerical institute of diocesan right. This meant they were now fully and officially part of the Catholic Church's structure.
With formal recognition, the community continued to flourish. In June 2013, two of their members were ordained priests in Rome. Later, in 2017, a smaller FSSR community was established at Kakahu, further expanding their presence within the Diocese of Christchurch, New Zealand.
Across the Atlantic
The FSSR's reach continued to grow globally. In October 2020, they received an invitation to establish a monastery in the Diocese of Great Falls–Billings, Montana, in the United States. This represented a new frontier, bringing their unique blend of Redemptorist spirituality and traditionalist practice to North America.
Unsettling Allegations in New Zealand
However, their path forward encountered a significant challenge in 2023. A journalistic investigation in New Zealand brought forth serious allegations regarding the community. These included claims of multiple exorcisms performed on children without the required approval of the local Bishop.
In response to these deeply concerning reports, Bishop Michael Gielen of Christchurch took swift action, suspending all exorcisms within his diocese. This underscored the gravity of the allegations and the Church's commitment to oversight and accountability.
The Rector Major of the Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer responded firmly, denying the accusations. He specifically clarified that no exorcisms had been performed without the Bishop's approval, that none involved minors, and that some allegations concerned a priest not affiliated with their community, seeking to correct the public record.
Ministry Suspended
The situation culminated dramatically on July 13, 2024. The Bishop of Christchurch disallowed priests of the Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer from ministering within the Diocese. This significant decision means the FSSR can no longer carry out public priestly duties in that part of New Zealand, marking a challenging chapter for the community.
Article
Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer
Papa Stronsay from the air. The Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer monastery can be seen in the top right, and the Point of the Graand in the bottom right
The Congregation of the Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer (Latin: Filii Sanctissimi Redemptoris; FSSR), commonly known as The Sons and The Transalpine Redemptorists, are a religious institute of the Catholic Church canonically erected in the Roman Catholic Diocese of Aberdeen and based on Papa Stronsay in the Orkney Islands, Scotland, as well as in the city of Christchurch, New Zealand, until July 2024. They were formed in 1988 as a traditionalist offshoot of the Redemptorists, following a monastic rule based on that of Saint Alphonsus Liguori, and was later formally erected as a religious institute in 2012.
History
Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer
The community was founded as the Transalpine Congregation of the Most Holy Redeemer on 2 August 1988 by the Redemptorist priest Michael Mary Sim as a traditional Redemptorist religious community affiliated with the Society of Saint Pius X.
Originally based at the Monastery of the Sorrowful and Immaculate Heart of Mary on the Isle of Sheppey, Kent, they moved to the Mother of Perpetual Succour Monastery in Joinville, Haute-Marne, France, in 1994, until they bought the island of Papa Stronsay on 31 May 1999. There they established the Golgotha Monastery, and have published The Catholic monthly since 1982. They promote a Redemptorist Purgatorian Confraternity. In July 2007 the institute established a second monastery in Christchurch, New Zealand.
In June 2008, the community petitioned the Holy See for reconciliation and this was accepted by Pope Benedict XVI who declared them to be in "canonical good standing" within the Catholic Church. The motu proprio Summorum Pontificum was the main incentive which caused the community to reconsider their position. Most of the members accepted the move, while a remnant continue to be affiliated with the SSPX. They changed their official name to The Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer (FSSR), and made alterations to their religious habit in order to more clearly differentiate themselves from that of the Redemptorists. However, they were not canonically established as a religious institute and thus their faculties for celebrating Mass were for some years restricted to the islands of Papa Stronsay and Stronsay.
On 15 August 2012, the community of fifteen was granted canonical recognition as a clerical institute of diocesan right by Hugh Gilbert, Bishop of Aberdeen. In June 2013, the congregation celebrated the ordination in Rome of two of its members. During 2017 another small community was established at Kakahu by the Christchurch monastery.
On 7 October 2020, the community was invited to establish a monastery in the Diocese of Great Falls–Billings, Montana, US.
In 2023, a New Zealand journalistic investigation suggested abuse within the community, including multiple exorcisms being conducted on children without the approval of the local Bishop. Shortly after, Michael Gielen, Bishop of Christchurch suspended all exorcisms in the Diocese. The Rector Major of the order responded to all the accusations and denied them. He specifically stressed that no exorcisms without the approval of the bishop were performed, that none of two involved minors, and that certain allegations concerned a priest who was not a member of their community.
The Bishop of Christchurch on 13 July 2024 disallowed priests of the Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer to minister in the Diocese of Christchurch.