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There are those who believe that the sacraments from non-Catholics are invalid, based upon their own interpretation of certain laws in the Church. This topic is open to discuss such interpretations, with the understanding that demonstration follows authoritative sources in doctrine, not one’s own opinion or interpretation. With that said, I open the floor to all comers.
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“Against all innovators the Council of Trent declared: “If anyone say that the sacraments of the New Law do not contain the grace which they signify, or that they do not confer grace on those who place no obstacle to the same, let him be anathema” (Sess. viii, can.vi). “If anyone say that grace is not conferred by the sacraments ex opere operato but that faith in God’s promises is alone sufficient for obtaining grace, let him be anathema” (ibid., can. viii; cf. can. iv, v, vii). The phrase “ex opere operato”, for which there is no equivalent in English, probably was used for the first time by Peter of Poitiers (d. 1205), and afterwards by Innocent III (d. 1216; de myst. missae, III, v), and by St. Thomas (d. 1274; IV Sent., dist. 1, Q.i, a.5). It was happily invented to express a truth that had always been taught and had been introduced without objection. It is not an elegant formula but, as St. Augustine remarks (Enarration on Psalm 138): It is better that grammarians should object than that the people should not understand. “Ex opere operato”, i.e. by virtue of the action, means that the efficacy of the action of the sacraments does not depend on anything human, but solely on the will of God as expressed by Christ’s institution and promise. “Ex opere operantis”, i.e. by reason of the agent, would mean that the action of the sacraments depended on the worthiness either of the minister or of the recipient (see Pourrat, “Theology of the Sacraments”, tr. St. Louis, 1910, 162 sqq.),” (Catholic Encyclopedia, “Sacraments”).
To my mind, those who insist that a human law can thwart the effects of the sacrament, or make it such that they are not conferred, even when matter, form and intent are duly observed, believe that the sacraments are “ex opere operantis,” and not (as Trent teaches) “ex opere operato.” Thus, when Teresa Benns of BetrayedCatholics says that the sacrament of Sedevacantists are not valid on account of the human law of Pius XII’s Vacantis Apostolicae Sedis, she runs directly counter to what the council of Trent teaches, namely, that the sacraments do not depend on human law for their efficacy.
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