SSPX-Rome Update: Bishop reports that SSPX is closer to regularization

Rorate Caeli is carrying un-official translations of statements by Bishop Juan Ignacio Arrieta who strongly suggests that doctrinal differences are not a cause for concern. This would confirm the recent statements from various SSPX District Superiors (such as Fr. Schmidberger).


The original French can be read here.

Coffee Cups and First Holy Communion?

The human person cannot but observe. Thus it was when I entered the church (in Toronto) nearly a fortnight ago; Sunday morning, the day for First Holy Communions. Naturally, there was an increase in the congregational size. Relatives, friends - good. 

Mass like this? - in Toronto with Dancing

But, alas - also greeting me was an atmosphere that would not alert one to being in a church; let alone before Him in the Tabernacle. What I was met with was the constant buzz of loud speech, laughter, people moving about, greeting each other... all very relaxed. But what really brings me to finally write this post was the incredulous sight of a woman tottering through the church, cup of coffee in hand to finally sit herself down in a pew.  The din, ever increasing, finally caused the parish priest to ascend into the pulpit to try to call the congregation to order: "we are about to begin Mass, please try to recollected etc...". This seemed to do the trick, as the noise subsided considerably. 

Or, Mass like this? - The Holy Father saying Mass

Mass over, contemporary minds having short memories, the noise commenced immediately after the Procession exited the church. In fact, the din grew even louder, as the congregation strolled out, laughing, shouting... yet in all this God worked a small miracle. Our anonymous coffee drinker did not approach Holy Communion. Yet what about all those who did; it was obvious that the majority had never been in church since perhaps Easter or Christmas. 

My conclusion: we have a real crisis on hand. When people no longer know where they are, what they are doing, what Mass is, then it is a real, real problem, Could it be that since Mass has been reduced to a repast, a communal gathering, an assembly, "supper" - that indeed a family atmosphere is correct? If so, then, yes, these people - arguably - did act correctly. Family gatherings are to be jolly times. But one huge problem remains: the head of the family was misunderstood, ignored, misbelieved, disrespected. For another post, the abomination (I call it what I believe it to be: evil) of Communion in the hand - but that practice no doubt has contributed mightily to the disgraceful - objectively non-believing - carnival atmosphere I witnessed that Sunday. 

Rome-SSPX Update: Reconciliation within weeks

Andrea Tornielli, of Vatican Insider has a highly informative article on the Rome-SSPX developments over the past few days. Instructive are the numerous positive statements from a number of District Superiors:

In recent days, statements by some authoritative figures of the Society of St. Pius X have multiplied, particularly from the Lefebvrian wing that is more favourable towards the Society’s return to full communion with the Catholic Church. In a public conference in Hattersheim, Germany, Fellay’s First Assistant Fr. Niklaus Pfluger, said that under the current circumstances, the Fraternity’s superior does not “believe it is possible to turn down the Pope’s proposal.” He said that straying from the Pope’s wishes would lead to Sedevacantism.... The former superior of the Society of St. Pius X, Fr. Franz Schmidberger, wrote an equally important editorial in the May issue of the Fraternity’s monthly magazine which says: “The fact that Rome is now calling us back from the exile we were forced into in 1975 - with the abrogation of the” Fraternity’s canonical “approval”, and “set in stone in 1988 with the degree ordering the excommunication “ of consecrating and consecrated bishops” - “is an act of justice and undoubtedly an act of authentic pastoral care by Benedict XVI.” More importantly, is the editorial of another historical member of the Fraternity, Fr. Michele Simoulin, which was published in the May issue of the Seignadoubulletin published by the Saint-Joseph-des-Carmes priory. Fr. Simoulin also talks about the agreement reached between Lefebvre and Ratzinger in 1988, explaining that the version of the doctrinal preamble presented at the time was not the reason for the split; the real reason was a more practical one. Indeed, Lefebvre did not trust the Vatican’s reassurance regarding the possibility of consecrating a bishop as his successor: “The reason has nothing to do with doctrine or the statute presented to the Fraternity,” Fr. Simoulin wrote. “The reason why the process came to a halt was to do with the date of consecration of the conceded bishop.”

The full article may be read here.

Rome-SSPX Deal will be settled this Month

The French news agency, apic,  is reporting from I.MEDIA that the the final decision on the negotiations to establish a reconciliation and canonical solution between the Society of St. Pius X and Rome will be finalized this month.
"Pope Benedict's XVI decision concerning the return of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Pius X (SSPX) into full communion in the Church will occur by the end of May 2012..."


The original French can be read here. An mp3 file is also available. 

German "Katolisches" reporting positive Rome-SSPX reconciliation moves

The German Catholic website Katolisches is reporting on positive statements by German District Superior, Fr. Franz Schmidberger and SSPX assistant to Bishop Fellay, Fr. Niklaus Pfluger. Both priests speak in a  positive manner suggesting a canonical reconciliation between Rome and Econe. The suggestions of a "agree to disagree" seem to be moving towards an acceptance of criticism of a pastoral Council that had limited "modest aims" (to quote then Cardinal Ratzinger).

Welcome back Conrad Black

This Friday, after far too many years, Conrad Black will be "re-admitted" into Canada on a one year permit. Personally, I believe that his incarceration, persecution (in the fullest sense of that word, for indeed he was viciously persecuted, not merely by the State - but also by those who claim to be the outsiders, but in reality are very much the insiders). 

An example of this hideousness was the the rambling talk given by a local Toronto-based journalist named Linda McQuaig to the hard-left trade union Ontario English Catholic Teachers Association (OECTA). I should note, that prior to her association with OECTA I had never heard of McQuiad. I digress. 

The talk - part of the recent OECTA AGM - was an uninspiring and vapid event. Far, far worse: it was uncharitable, it was unChristian. Introduced by OECTA President, Kevin O'Dwyer, McQuiag commenced with a false and disgusting attack on Conrad Black. In her words he is: a "right-wing jerk"; also a man who has "spent his entire life fighting against social justice". The reaction? A challenge, perhaps concern, shame? No, just mocking derisive laughter from the assembled rabble. Contrary to what McQuaid said, Conrad Black is a man who is supportive of a number of Church charities; a man who is openly supportive of, for example, the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul. It is sick to defame another human being, it is sick to sit back and laugh, and it is sick to do so all the while claim to be Christian, Catholic. Monstrous. 

Yet this speaker, her content, the reactions etc. are only the effects. Not much can be expected from people who take delight in slander, lies and defamation. The cause is the crisis of faith with its attendant destructive of children's moral and spiritual life through false teaching and disobedience to the bishops. 

An example of dissident in matters of faith is the open support given to the alleged issue of priestesses. OECTA openly rejects Pope John Paul II's infallible declaration that women's ordination to the ministerial priesthood in an impossibility. 

From OECTA's Handbook: 

3.111 That the Association support equal opportunity and treatment of all members of

the Roman Catholic church, including women and men, in matters pertaining to

service as a member of the clergy

4.15.11.5 to make recommendations to eliminate gender discrimination in clergy ordination

SSPX leadership preparing for Reconciliation with Rome?

Recent reports, with translations carried by Rorate Caeli by highly placed priests  (Fr. Franz Schmidberger and Fr. Michel Simoulin) in the Society of St. Pius X (SSPX)  suggests that further positive steps will be taken to achieve a canonical reconciliation. All of this begs the question: where is Bishop Richard Williamson coming down on this issue? Based on his recent blog entries, it would seem that - besides disobeying habitually his Superior - he is further alienating himself from the SSPX leaderaship through continual adhesion to a near Donatist position. Very conveniently for him, as such a default position avails the unenviable position of claiming Catholicism, whilst acting like a protestant.  However, delusions have a way of coming to an end...

Pope Benedict in Germany: Fr. Barron reviews the Speech to the Reichstag

Pope Benedict addressing the Riechstag

Fr. Robert Barrons' review of Pope Benedict's visit to Germany and his address to the Riechstag is well worth viewing; especially with the rise of a neo-fascism across the EU, Canada and the US. The recent out of hand rejection of even discussing abortion in the Canadian Parliament by "conservative" Prime Minister Stephen Harper - joined eagerly by socialists demonstrates the degree of self-censorship and  subtle statist ideology masquerading as democracy; in truth fascism.

Fascism has become so pernicious, that it is the default position for various "progressive" voices in society.  A typical example is the the website run by Political Research Associates (PRA). They get off to a wrong start, by completely misunderstanding fascism. Their superficial approach completely avoids the ideology of statism by focusing on a more or less strawman of Naziism. In part, their Mission statement includes: "the political and Christian Right use skillful marketing that exploits the public’s desire for quick solutions and capitalizes on today’s hectic information flow. With clever slogans that oversimplify complex public policy issues, the Right routinely scapegoats others in pursuit of their agenda". 

The loathsome Adolph Hitler reviewing fellow Nazi thugs

Yet, what has the PRA said and done? Firstly, they have created a climate of fear and name calling to create a social consensus to remove whom they do not like from the public discourse (e.g. the Catholic Church). Secondly, and this works by a general extension of the former, by being enshrined in legislation having conditioned the population. Such was the case in the 1930s in Germany. Firstly demonize the Jews, then remove their humanity, then outlaw them, and then... The PRA has nicely identified itself, though inadvertently, as fascist. 

Fr. Robert Barron

Finally, delving into some of the PRA archival material, we discover that - lo and behold! - Pope Benedict is a dangerous "traditionalist" (hint - a "far right" etc.). All of this begs the question of the PRA: is Fr. Barron "fascist" too?