Anthony CekadaDeceased

Anthony Cekada (1951–2020) was an American priest and author and a prominent English-language advocate of sedevacantism (Wikipedia).

Break with the SSPX. Cekada was one of nine priests who broke with the Society of St. Pius X in 1983. Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre announced on 27 April 1983 that they were no longer members of the Society (SSPX), after a dispute that included their refusal to use the 1962 Missal and their objection to his instruction that SSPX priests accept decrees of nullity from diocesan marriage tribunals. Led by Clarence Kelly, the group formed the Society of St. Pius V (SSPV), which held that it was at least a debatable question whether the popes since 1958 had been legitimate (Wikipedia: Clarence Kelly; Wikipedia: Daniel Dolan). The sedevacantist bishop Daniel Dolan publicly announced Cekada's death in 2020 (Novus Ordo Watch).

Work of Human Hands. His principal book, Work of Human Hands: A Theological Critique of the Mass of Paul VI (Philothea Press, 2010; 468 pages), argues that the post-conciliar rite weakens Catholic teaching on the Real Presence; it drew notice beyond sedevacantist circles, including on the traditionalist blog Rorate Caeli (Wikipedia; Rorate Caeli). The liturgy blog New Liturgical Movement published a notice of his death (New Liturgical Movement). The website True Restoration has produced a podcast series on the book (True Restoration). See validity of the Novus Ordo.

Debates. Cekada debated the anti-sedevacantist authors John Salza and Robert Siscoe; he released a video answering their book True or False Pope? before its publication, which The Remnant criticised as ad hominem (The Remnant).

He died on 11 September 2020, aged 69 (Novus Ordo Watch; Wikipedia).