Transalpine Redemptorists Organise "Imperfect General Council"
“We are working in our own small way, with our limited manpower, to bring about an Imperfect General Council that will publicly recognise the present Catholic disaster that has no way out but through,” said Father Michael Mary, head of the Congregation of the Transalpine Redemptorists, in an interview with ThePress.co.nz on 10 April.
The group was expelled from the Christchurch Diocese in New Zealand in July 2024 following allegations, primarily concerning unauthorised exorcism practices. The priests denied any wrongdoing. In October 2025, the community repudiated “false shepherds” and recent papal documents without explicitly declaring the papal office vacant.
Their proposed “council” would consist of bishops acting without papal authority, though no names have been given: “There are Catholics all over the world left in ‘Catholic bunkers’ who know what is going on. It is a matter of reaching out to them.”
Toward Electing a "Pope"?
To justify the idea, Father Michael Mary invokes …More
A valid Papal election was held on 23 November 2025, key details of which are provided here: Rogitum de Electione Romani Pontificis.
Fr Michael Mary is such a charming character and has such a big heart. I wish he hadn't split with the SSPX. Does anyone know if the Fraternity of St Peter is still on friendly terms with him, considering this announcement?
The Western Schism between popes and antipopes was finally resolved when the Pisan claimant John XXIII convened the Council of Constance (1414–1418). The Council arranged for the abdication of both the Roman Pope Gregory XII and the Pisan Antipope John XXIII, excommunicated the Avignon Antipope Benedict XIII, and elected Martin V as the new reigning pope based in Rome.