The Pope's "To Do" List for 2012: High priority to resolve SSPX

Fr. Lombardi outlined to Vatican Radio [2012-04-21]  the Holy Father's plans for his 8th year of his Pontificate. Amongst them is the resolution of the question concerning the Society of St. Pius X. 


"We share his hope that the dialogue with the Saint Pius X Fraternity will come to a resolution that bridges the gap without creating any new ones". 

Bishop Williamson undermines SSPX Reconciliation?

Bishop Richard Williamson, in his latest blog entry "Benedict's Ecumenism III", continues to undermine any possible reconciliation between Rome and Econe. I mention this, not that this man has any authority (see, Mgr. Fenton "Episcopal Jurisdiction and the Roman See, American Ecclesiastical Review, Vol. CXX, Jan-Jun 1949), but that he does have the power to perpetuate a schism.

Further, he continues to publish against the express orders of his superior, who seems powerless to stop him.

For example, Williamson, in reviewing three references from Vatican II, commences as follows:

In these “Comments” two weeks ago was the promise to look at three quotes from Vatican II which have done much to dissolve the Church of Jesus Christ, which is the Catholic Church. And one week ago was the warning that the texts of Vatican II are ambiguous, so that they can always be made to look as though there is nothing wrong with them. But only one of their two possible meanings is innocent. The other meaning is deadly for the Catholic Church, as the last forty years have proved. 

SSPX Update: Friday April 20

SSPX Updates: 

The Society of St. Pius X has published a review of the recent events and media announcements issued as a result of Bp. Fellay's sending Rome a signed, but slightly modified, Doctrinal Preamble.


The recent DICI [no.253] (available as a download at the DICI website) has published Fr. Lamont's "Theological Questions"; first published by Sandro Magister. 


The "progressive" French Catholic press are already distressed with what they see as the Pope's accommodation with "fundamentalists" over "progressives".

Could the SSPX be right on Religious Liberty?

Fr. John Lamont's "Theological Questions" does raise an excellent point: the SSPX and others do argue their position on - for example - the relationship between Church and State/religious liberty - references to previous papal teaching. To this effect, I am posting some key passages from Pius XI's Quas Primas. Interestingly, this encyclical was not referenced by Vatican II, but is footnoted in the Catechism of the Catholic Church (this raises the question whether the framers of the Catechism began to take into account years of criticism of Dignitatis Humanae? and therefore began to nuance the Conciliar declaration to try to show a continuity with previous teaching (e.g. Quanta Cura, Pius IX, Immortale Dei, Libertas, Longinqua, Leo XIII etc.) Archbishop Lefebvre himself argued that the declaration contradicted itself by maintaining the traditional doctrine, yet in its practical advice leading to a de facto religious indifferentism (c.f. They Have Uncrowned Him). 

Pius XI, Quas Primas (1925): 

It would be a grave error, on the other hand, to say that Christ has no authority whatever in civil affairs, since, by virtue of the absolute empire over all creatures committed to him by the Father, all things are in his power...

 If, therefore, the rulers of nations wish to preserve their authority, to promote and increase the prosperity of their countries, they will not neglect the public duty of reverence and obedience to the rule of Christ. What We said at the beginning of Our Pontificate concerning the decline of public authority, and the lack of respect for the same, is equally true at the present day. "With God and Jesus Christ," we said, "excluded from political life, with authority derived not from God but from man, the very basis of that authority has been taken away, because the chief reason of the distinction between ruler and subject has been eliminated. The result is that human society is tottering to its fall, because it has no longer a secure and solid foundation."[ Ubi Arcano, Pius XI]

When once men recognize, both in private and in public life, that Christ is King, society will at last receive the great blessings of real liberty, well-ordered discipline, peace and harmony.

...We refer to the plague of anti-clericalism, its errors and impious activities. This evil spirit, as you are well aware, Venerable Brethren, has not come into being in one day; it has long lurked beneath the surface. The empire of Christ over all nations was rejected. The right which the Church has from Christ himself, to teach mankind, to make laws, to govern peoples in all that pertains to their eternal salvation, that right was denied. Then gradually the religion of Christ came to be likened to false religions and to be placed ignominiously on the same level with them. It was then put under the power of the state and tolerated more or less at the whim of princes and rulers. Some men went even further, and wished to set up in the place of God's religion a natural religion consisting in some instinctive affection of the heart. There were even some nations who thought they could dispense with God, and that their religion should consist in impiety and the neglect of God. The rebellion of individuals and states against the authority of Christ has produced deplorable consequences.

Pope Benedict: Seven Years on the Throne of Peter

Today marks seven years that Joseph Ratzinger, elected Supreme Pontiff, has reigned over Christ's Church from the Throne of St. Peter. Long may he reign! May God grant him many years. Please pray for our Holy Father.

SSPX-ROME: Communique from DICI

The following is from DICI, the SSPX's international news agency. It should be noted, that this press release does not in any way contradict the statement earlier issued by Fr. Lombardi on Vatican Radio. This press release only reiterates what is still a well known fact: that doctrinal questions have to yet be completely resolved. 

The media are announcing that Bishop Bernard Fellay has sent a “positive response” to the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, and that consequently the doctrinal question between the Holy See and the Society of Saint Pius X is now resolved.

The reality is different.

In a letter dated April 17, 2012, the Superior General of the Society of Saint Pius X responded to the request for clarification that had been made to him on March 16 by Cardinal William Levada concerning the Doctrinal Preamble delivered on September 14, 2011.  As the press release dated today from the Ecclesia Dei Comission indicates, the text of this response “will be examined by the dicastery (Congregation for the Doctine of the Faith) then submitted to the Holy Father for his judgement”.

This is therefore a stage and not a conclusion.

Menzingen, April 18, 2012

SSPX-ROME Reconciliation: Update on Vatican Radio

We now have an official English language communique:

The Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei has published the following communication concerning the Society of St. Pius X:

"The text of the response of Bishop Bernard Fellay, Superior General of the Priestly Society of Saint Pius X, as had been requested at the meeting of 16 March 2012, was received by the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith on 17 April 2012. The text will be examined by the Dicastery and then submitted to the judgement of the Holy Father. 

Fr. Federico Lombardi, head of the Vatican Press Office, said that, with the latest response, “steps forward have been taken, that is to say, that the response, the new response, is rather encouraging. But there are still developments that will be made, and examined, and decisions which should be taken in the next few weeks.” 




A more extensive French language version can be read and listened to here. 

SSPX-Rome Update: Ecclesia Dei Communique on Bishop Fellay

The Ecclesia Dei Commission has released a news bulletin in Italian and French pertaining to Bp. Fellay's signing of the document. I've included the French: 

Le texte de la réponse de Son Excellence Monseigneur Bernard Fellay, Supérieur général de la Fraternité sacerdotale saint Pie X, requise au cours de la rencontre du 16 mars 2012 au siège de la Congrégation pour la Doctrine de la Foi, est parvenu le 17 avril 2012. Ce texte sera examiné par le Dicastère et soumis ensuite au jugement du Saint-Père.

[00513-03.01] [Texte original: Français]

Unofficial English translation:  The text of the reply of His Excellency Bishop Bernard Fellay, Superior General of the Priestly Society of Saint Pius X, required during the meeting of 16 March 2012 at the offices of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, was received  on April 17, 2012 . It will be considered by the Congregation and subsequently submitted to the judgment of the Holy Father. 

The Catholic Herald is carrying a concise summary.
La Croix, the influential French Catholic news agency can be read here. 
Le Figaro is also reporting this news.