Showing posts with label SSPX. Show all posts
Showing posts with label SSPX. Show all posts

Monday, January 16, 2017

Opus Dei to Elect a New Prelate -- Election Begins on 21st of January

On January 23rd the third Prelate of Opus Dei will be selected to chose
the successor of Prelate Javier Echevarria who passed on Dec 12th.


(Rome) This coming January 21 begins in Rome to elect a new prelate of Praelatura Sanctae Crucis et Operis Dei , called Opus Dei for short, the only previously existing personal prelature in the Church. Upon the death of Prelate Javier Echevarría on December 12 in Rome, an has election become necessary.
The "Work of God," founded in 1928 by Josemaría Escrivá de Balaguer y Albás (1902-1975) in Madrid received the legal status in the Church of a personal prelature. The approximately 90,000 members are directly subordinate to the prelate of the bishop's rank and not to the respective diocesan bishop. The third successor of the founder, and also the third prelate, will be elected. Josemarìa Escrivá was sanctified in 2002 by Pope John Paul II. His feast day is June 26, his dies natalis (death).
His first successor, and also the first prelate, Álvaro del Portillo, was proclaimed as beatified in 2014 by Pope Francis. He directed the Opus Dei from 1975-1994.
As Opus Dei explains on its website, the new prelate must be a priest who has completed his 40th year of life,  be a member of the electoral body, and belong at least ten years of the Prelature and  be incardinated as a priest for at least five years. These prerequisites are currently fulfilled by 94 priests from 45 states.
The election meeting will begin on 21 January with the General Assembly of the Council for the female members. On the 23rd, the actual election congress will follow. Any member of the Women's Council may give a vote. The election congress, which is occupied by men, would take these recommendations into account.
If the chosen person accepts the election, Pope Francis is asked for his confirmation. Officially, he has the right of appointment for the prelate of Opus Dei. Election and appointment of a prelate is for lifetime. The favorite candidate is Fernando Ocáriz, the long-standing Vicar General of the "Work", who was named by Prelate Echevarría to be his representative a few days before his death until the choice of his successor. Ocáriz has been the primary co-author of the Declaration Dominus Iesus of 2000. Since 1986 he has been Consultor of the Congregation for Doctrine and the Faith. Under Pope Benedict XVI he was one of three theological members appointed by the Holy See who participated in doctrinal discussions with the Society of St. Pius X.
The electorate will have 194 voters, priests and laity. They must have reached the age of 32 and have been a member of the Prelate for at least nine years.
Besides the election of a prelate, the election congress will also make the choice of the General Council that supports the prelate in the management of the Prelature. The term of office of the General Council lasts eight years.
The elections, however, are not the only issue. It examines the situation of prelature and talks about worldwide apostolic activities. For the forthcoming, eight-year term of office of the General Council, the election congress will elaborate a corresponding management program.
Text: Giuseppe Nardi
Image: Infovaticana
Trans: Tancred vekron99@hotmail.com
Link to Katholisches...
AMDG

Sunday, November 20, 2016

SSPX May be Recognized on Monday by Pope Francis


(Rome) On Monday the 21st of November, Pope Francis Francis will publish the Apostolic Exhortation Misericordia et Misera at the end of the extraordinary Holy Year of Mercy. This was announced by the Vatican Press Office in yesterday's bulletin. Internet blogs, which are close to the Priestly Society  of St. Pius X, report that Pope Francis will come out with a bang on Monday.

According to the announcement, the pope would announce the reunion of the full unity of the priestly society established by Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, with the Holy See. At the same time, he would be able to build canonically the Pius Brotherhood as a personal prelate. Is it only speculation? Since last April the signs of such recognition have been condensed.

The Society, founded in 1970, was denied canonical recognition in 1975. Since then, their status has not been clarified. Officially, it does not exist as a separate legal entity for the Holy See. An open break took place in 1988. Rome declared the founder, Archbishop Lefebvre, and the four consecrated bishops as excommunicated, for their valid if  unauthorized episcopal ordinations. The validity of the celebration of the sacraments by priests of the Society, without the permission of the Church, was repeatedly questioned. According to Benedict XVI, the excommunication was annuled. At the same time, doctrinal conversations were held between the Holy See and the Pius Brotherhood. In 2012 the recognition of the Society by Rome seemed to be near, but at the last moment  was stymied because internal Church resistance. Since then it has been assumed that the failure of recognition is a reason that Benedict XVI. had resigned.

Under Pope Francis came an unexpected resumption of contacts. In September 2015, Francis proclaimed, with the proclamation of the Holy Year of Mercy, that during the jubilee the sacrament of penance by priests of the Society was "valid and permissible". The Society then expressed its thanks for the "paternal gesture".

According to sources close to the Society, the canonical establishment was intended as a personal prelature. Thus the Society  after the Opus Dei would  be the second ecclesial community to have this new legal status. It envisages that a priest with the rank of a bishop stands at the head, and the members of this family are largely excluded from the jurisdiction of the diocesan bishops.

Text: Giuseppe Nardi
Image: CWW (Screenshot)
Trans: Tancred vekron99@hotmail.com
AMDG

Thursday, September 22, 2016

SSPX: Angelus Conference in October and Blessing of New Seminary in Virginia in November



[USA District SSPX] Our Lord commanded the Apostles to spread the faith and teach all nations; yet, we live in a word where the errors of atheism, agnosticism, paganism, and religious indifference are spread at an alarming rate. It's a time when, for many, the missionary spirit does not exist.

This fall Angelus Press once again brings together some of the best Catholic thinkers, speakers, and writers to consider this year’s topic: The Missions - Teaching all Nations. Come learn more about how The SSPX is working to spread the faith far and wide, while at the same time enjoying the company of other like-minded traditional Catholics. This conference is relevant for all Catholics, young and seasoned alike. 

Join us for our seventh annual Conference for Catholic Tradition – a profoundly enjoyable Catholic weekend on October 7 – 9, 2016 at the Kansas City Airport Hilton in Kansas City, Missouri.

Register before August 5th for Early Bird Savings
Complete Package - $70 Savings
Single Day - $20 Savings




Edit: there will also be an event in November for the Blessing of the New Seminary:

Inauguration ceremony

Please join us on November 4 for the blessing of the new seminary buildings. All are invited and encouraged to attend! The day will include a Pontifical Mass celebrated by Bishop Fellay, blessing of the new buildings, and guided tour of the new seminary.  
For more details, visit our event pageBlessing of a New Seminary

Banquet 

A banquet will follow the Pontifical Mass.  Please visit our event page to make reservations.  Limited seating available!
Please consult the schedule for the day's events.  
In the meantime, please visit the New Seminary Project website for continued progress updates on the preparation of the new seminary in Virginia where you can also donate towards the completion of what will become the new home of many seminarians in just a few weeks.

Friday, July 29, 2016

Archbishop Pozzo: Bishop Fellay to Accept Personal Prelature Arrangement

Edit: this is the article from neoconservative e-commerce website Kath.net. As you can see they are hostile to the Society.

We were right again. Who knew? 

Statements of competent Archbishop that Vatican wants to meet Society.

Bonn (kath.net/KNA) statements of the competent Archbishop that the Vatican wants to meet the Society apparently. Curial Archbishop Guido Pozzo reiterated in the "Zeit" - section "Christ und Welt" (Thursday) its belief in the documents of Vatican II was "a step of binding". He also spoke of a rapprochement between Rome and the traditionalist SSPX. Pozzo is Vatican Secretary responsible for the SSPX in the Commission "Ecclesia Dei". 

According to the Archbishiop the Vatican is increasingly placing more emphasis on issues of trust next to the clarification of doctrinal issues: "We know that life is more than doctrine" And yet there has recently been significant progress, he said. On behalf of the Vatican, a cardinal and four bishops had attended the seminaries and houses of the Fraternity. "Nothing like this has taken place previously, but it helped the rapprochement."

Pozzo stressed the SSPX affirms the central decisions of the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965). These included, for example, the doctrine of the sacramental nature of the episcopate, and "the doctrine of the primacy of the Pope and the College of Bishops together with his leadership." The statements of the Council on interreligious dialogue, ecumenism and religious freedom have, in the words of Archbishop, a lesser degree of binding. 

"This is not about beliefs or definitive statements, but instructions or guidance for pastoral practice," says Pozzo. The SSPX found these statements difficult; but these one can also discuss after a canonical recognition with the Society. 

Pozzo confirmed that the creation of a so-called Personal Prelatire had been promised after the model of Opus Dei. The Superior General Bernard Fellay has accepted this proposal, "even if in the coming months details need to be clarified."

The Commission "Ecclesia Dei" is located in the CDF. The head of Cardinal Gerhard Ludwig Müller, recently asserted that he expected from the Society unreserved recognition of religious freedom as a human right and an obligation to ecumenism.  In June, he told the "Herder Korrespindenz", that he expects a recognition of the relevant Council declarations. 

There have been tensions in the Catholic Church between the Traditionalists and liberals for decades. [They actually say that the tensions are between the Catholic Church and traditionalists. Such pettiness by Kathnet.] The Fraternity was founded by French Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre in 1969, and rejects an important part [sic] of the Council decisions. After the illicit episcopal ordinations, Archbishop Lefebvre Rome was excommunicated with the four bishops consecrated by him  in 1988. Under Pope Benedict XVI. there were  overtures. Pope Francis announced his intention to continue the dialogue. 

Regardless, the  SSPX continues  ordinations as before that are canonically illicit. [Except that the Archbishop of Augsburg has given his approval of ordinations at the SSPX seminary in his diocese.]  A few weeks ago  Fellay accused Pope Francis of causing confusion and introducing doctrinal errors. (C) 2016 CBA Catholic News Agency. All rights reserved.

Tuesday, July 5, 2016

Bishop Fellay Says Talks Will Continue With Rome and Requests 50,000,000 Acts of Penance

(Zaitzkofen) The Superior General of the Society of St. Pius X confirmed last Saturday that the talks with Rome are to continue, and announced a new Rosary crusade. It should serve the spiritual preparation for the centennial commemoration of the apparitions of Fatima in 1917, which will take place in the coming year.
The Rosary Crusade was announced at the ordinations in Zaitzkofen. It will be held until August 22, 2017 from 15 August 2016th
The prayer of the Rosary should be connected to acts of penance. Bishop Fellay spoke of "50 million acts of penance". More details will soon be announced.
Zaitzkofen, in the Regensburg Diocese, is the seminary of the SSPX for the German-speaking  and adjacent areas. On July 2, Bishop Fellay ordained there three new priests.
In his homily, the Superior General confirmed that the talks between the SSPX and the Vatican will continue. Bishop Fellay explained that the salvation of souls is the ultimate goal of the Catholic Church and thus also of the Fraternity. That objective is "higher" than a canonical recognition of the Fraternity.
But nothing is more important than the Catholic faith and the unconditional acceptance of this belief for the salvation of souls. "Without [Catholic] faith no one can be saved," Bishop Fellay said, as he made serious allegations against the ecclesiastical authorities: "Since the council, the defense and the propagation of the faith became something of secondary importance."
Text: Giuseppe Nardi
Image: fsspx.de (Screenshot)
Trans: Tancred vekron99@hotmail.com
Link to Katholisches...
AMDG
 Print Article

Wednesday, June 29, 2016

Society -- Vatican - Signals of Approach by Both Sides, But no Decision

Priestly Ordination of SSPX in Zaitzkofen

(Menzingen / Rome) Recently, the signals, which seemed to indicate that the talks between the traditionalist Society of St. Pius X and the Holy See have reached  an understanding. The superiors of the SSPX have met since last weekend to exchange ideas. It should also consider the talks with Rome. They also didn't come to any concrete decisions. The conversation with Rome will continue.

"The aim" of  the SSPX "consists mainly in the formation of priests", according to an official statement of the Superior General of the SSPX, Bishop Bernard Fellay. This is "an essential condition for the renewal of the Church and the restoration of society".
Specifically, the positioning is defined in four points, the canonical recognition is "not" identified as the priority target, because the Brotherhood "as a Catholic work" has a "claim" to this.
The Catholic Church is ruled by a "great and painful confusion", which is encouraged by a "large number of shepherds", "up to the pope himself."
Subsequently, the four points in the text.
    1. In the great and painful confusion that currently reigns in the Church, the proclamation of Catholic doctrine requires the denunciation of errors that have made their way into it and are unfortunately encouraged by a large number of pastors, including the Pope himself.
  1. The Society of Saint Pius X, in the present state of grave necessity which gives it the right and duty to administer spiritual aid to the souls that turn to it, does not seek primarily a canonical recognition, to which it has a right as a Catholic work. It has only one desire: faithfully to bring the light of the bi-millennial Tradition which shows the only route to follow in this age of darkness in which the cult of man replaces the worship of God, in society as in the Church.
  2. The “restoration of all things in Christ” intended by Saint Pius X, following Saint Paul (cf. Ep.h 1:10), cannot happen without the support of a Pope who concretely favors the return to Sacred Tradition. While waiting for that blessed day, the Society of Saint Pius X intends to redouble its efforts to establish and to spread, with the means that Divine Providence gives to it, the social reign of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
  3. The Society of Saint Pius X prays and does penance for the Pope, that he might have the strength to proclaim Catholic faith and morals in their entirety. In this way he will hasten the triumph of the Immaculate Heart of Mary that we earnestly desire as we approach the centennial of the apparitions in Fatima.
Subsequently, the communiqué of the Superior General as an audio file in French
The current state of talks with Rome was described by Bishop Fellay recently in the June 12 National Catholic Register published interview.  June 29th Register. [Pentin thinks it's off.]
He said at the time:
"With the new Pope, Pope Francis, we have now entered a new phase, a new situation, which is very interesting, but even more confusing indeed. I call it a paradoxical situation, because - if one wants to say so - it just aggravate the problems, which we condemn, in the Church. At the same time begin, especially in Rome, some voices are loud and acknowledging that something must be done. "
The recently signals were emitted by both sides, nevertheless, that gave rise to suspicions that a canonical recognition of the Fraternity could be imminent by Rome.

Signal of the SSPX

On June 21, the published Salzburger Nachrichten an interview with the Superior General of the SSPX, Bishop Bernard Fellay. Here the bishop sent remarkable signals in Rome: "No bishop shall be entitled to participate rise to the leadership of the Church, if he is not with the Pope and under the Pope." Likewise Bishop Fellay said, the SSPX "has always recognized the primacy of the Pope" and "did not want a separation from Rome for anything in the world."
The valid but illicit episcopal ordinations of 1988, was responded to by  Rome with excommunication, said the General Superior,  that the founder of the Brotherhood, Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre,  that the consecrations might have "appeared from the outside" as "an act of disobedience,"  yet they were, however, seen as a "self-defense". Therefore, says Fellay, for the SSPX to affirm: "We are not schismatics, we are not separated from the Church."
Here, the SSPX and the reigning Pope and his immediate circle are not close. Both sides have made no bones about it in the past three years.

Signal of Regensburg Bishop Voderholzer

On June 22, Bishop Rudolf Voderholzer of Regensburg made a public statement on this year's ordinations by the SSPX in Zaitzkofen. It is in his diocese where  the international seminary of the Fraternity for the German-speaking countries and Central Europe resides. Bishop Voderholzer designated in the ordinations of the SSPX as "harmless". He signaled the fact that the ordinations are officially "tolerated".
In the past, there was a different sound. The incumbent Cardinal Prefect of the CDF, Gerhard Müller had criticized the annual ordinations as Bishop of Regensburg and Voderholzer's predecessor, as an "act of schism" and "provocation".
Since then, things have changed.

Signals from Rome

In early May the Catholic Internet newspaper Nuova Bussola Quotidiana wrote that Rome and the SSPX  that things " have never been so close."  It's an assessment that seemed to find indirect confirmation in May in reports from the German media, including the Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitungand and the Spiegel , whose evident intention of it seemed to be to torpedo any agreement.
On April 1,  Bishop Fellay surprised the public when he was  received by Pope Francis. The conversation was "good," it was said, coming from both sides. As the Bishop reported a few days later in a sermon, the Pope had recognized the SSPX without limitation as "Catholic" and encouraged the Society  to establish a seminary in Italy.
Curial Archbishop Guido Pozzo, Secretary of the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei , who is responsible for the traditional communities, had told the SSPX that it could proceed without problems on this year's ordinations. The Ecclesia Dei Commission reports directly to Cardinal Müller. It can therefore be assumed that the new course is also represented in its meaning.

2012 has been agreement already within reach

In 2012 the reconciliation between Rome and the Fraternity seemed well within close reach. The Superior General Fellay had then traveled to Rome in June in the conviction that they had reached an agreement that would lead to canonical recognition of the SSPX.  At the last moment the agreement fell apart, for reasons still not exactly clarified: a chronicle of events .
Since then, there  is still the persistent rumor, that this "failure" of the multi-year discussions had ripened  Benedict XVI's intention to resign. He had been barely elected pope in 2005, and invited Hans Küng from the modernist side and Bishop Fellay of the traditionalist side for a personal interview to Rome. While he had no further steps with Küng, he began detailed theological talks with the SSPX.
Under Pope Benedict XVI. the SSPX was asked to the sign a "Doctrinal Preamble" that was highly controversial in the Society. It was sometimes even regarded as an affront because it demanded much more than was demanded from other Catholics as a commitment.

In September 2014 Cardinal Müller began the talks new

While after the failure in 2012 began a standstill, an unexpected sign of relaxation followed two years later by Pope Francis. It was initiated by Cardinal Prefect Müller, the end of September 2014. Bishop Fellay was received in Rome, wherewith the talks were resumed, although parallel, a confidant of the Pope to the faithful who receive the sacraments at the SSPX priests, even threatened with excommunication .
Late 2014 and early 2015 endowed Cardinal Walter Brandmüller and Auxiliary Bishop Athanasius Schneider from institutions of SSPX visits. Then Rome recommended the recognition of the community founded in 1970, " as it is ".

There has since been no more talk of a doctrinal preamble. In autumn 2015 Rome presented the Society a new proposal. Since then it has been in question.

"Expression of will of the Pope" with personal prelature

Last February Curia Archbishop Pozzo stressed, however, that "the clear expression of will of the Pope was to promote the canonical recognition of the SSPX".
Unchanged are the offer of Rome, the SSPX in the event of an agreement, to be canonically recognized in the form of a personal prelature. It's an offer that is certainly recognized by the SSPX as generous.
So far only Opus Dei has this legal form which ensures the community the greatest possible autonomy and independence from local bishops. With a bishop at the head of a personal prelature it has, unlike the other religious orders and communities, its own bishop.
The Opus Dei was recognized with the status of  a personal prelature in 1982. Since 1994, Msgr. Javier Echevarria is the only prelate of a  personal prelature in  the Catholic Church. He is quite thoroughly opposed to the recognition of the SSPX  as the second personal prelature.
According to Vatican legal experts commissioned by Pope Francis working on the offer for canonical establishment, the SSPX should - reportedly - be granted even more rights  than the Opus Dei has currently.
Text: Giuseppe Nardi
Image: Seminary of the Sacred Heart (Screenshot)
Trans: Tancred vekron99@hotmail.com
Link to Katholisches...
AMDG

Communique by the Superior of the SSPX

At the conclusion of the meeting of the major superiors of the Society of Saint Pius X that was held in Switzerland, from June 25 to 28, 2016, the Superior General addressed the following communiqué:

The purpose of the Society of Saint Pius X is chiefly the formation of priests, the essential condition for the renewal of the Church and for the restoration of society.

  1. In the great and painful confusion that currently reigns in the Church, the proclamation of Catholic doctrine requires the denunciation of errors that have made their way into it and are unfortunately encouraged by a large number of pastors, including the Pope himself.
  2. The Society of Saint Pius X, in the present state of grave necessity which gives it the right and duty to administer spiritual aid to the souls that turn to it, does not seek primarily a canonical recognition, to which it has a right as a Catholic work. It has only one desire: faithfully to bring the light of the bi-millennial Tradition which shows the only route to follow in this age of darkness in which the cult of man replaces the worship of God, in society as in the Church.
  3. The “restoration of all things in Christ” intended by Saint Pius X, following Saint Paul (cf. Ep.h 1:10), cannot happen without the support of a Pope who concretely favors the return to Sacred Tradition. While waiting for that blessed day, the Society of Saint Pius X intends to redouble its efforts to establish and to spread, with the means that Divine Providence gives to it, the social reign of Our Lord Jesus Christ.
  4. The Society of Saint Pius X prays and does penance for the Pope, that he might have the strength to proclaim Catholic faith and morals in their entirety. In this way he will hasten the triumph of the Immaculate Heart of Mary that we earnestly desire as we approach the centennial of the apparitions in Fatima.

Bishop Bernard Fellay, Superior General of the Society of Saint Pius X
Ecône, June 29, 2016
The Feast of Saints Peter and Paul

(Source : FSSPX/MG – DICI dated June 29, 2016)

http://www.dici.org/en/news/communique-from-the-superior-general/

Monday, May 9, 2016

Attempts to Torpedo Recognition of SSPX in the German Press Begin

(Rome) The Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung (FAZ) today published a broadside against a possible recognition of the Fraternity of Saint Pius X founded by Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre. 
" You do not provoke these rulers! " Is the title of the article by Christian Geyer-Hindemith. A recognition of the SSPX by Rome suggests a threat to the features editor.
"What a 'new humanism' would that be?" Asks Geyer in an idiosyncratic allusion to the acceptance speech of the Pope last Friday, as he was awarded the Charlemagne Prize in Rome.
The FAZ article first confirms that a canonical recognition of the SSPX by Pope Francis may be imminent, and with very favorable conditions for the Fraternity. It was founded in 1970 by Archbishop Lefebvre in response to the Second Vatican Council and its consequences with the aim to preserve the Catholic heritage undiminished in doctrine and discipline.
Against such recognition there is resistance stirring, and it comes mainly from Germany. The intention of the FAZ article is to generate pressure against such recognition. Thus the usual "fight against right-extremism" mechanisms and taglines are employed.
It is therefore likely to be expected in the coming days with further tendentious articles in the German "mainstream media" who want to prevent a canonical agreement between Rome and the SSPX. [Let's not forget Vatican Insider.]
Text: Giuseppe Nardi
image: FAZ (Screenshot)
Trans: Tancred vekron99@hotmail.com
AMDG

Monday, April 11, 2016

What Rome Expects of the Society of Pius X -- Interview of Archbishop Guido Pozzo

Archbishop Guido Pozzo (Ecclesia Dei) on the "Preconditions" for the
canonical recognition of the Society with Rome
(Rome) What Rome expects from the Society of St. Pius X (SSPX) said Curial Archbishop Guido Pozzo, Secretary of the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei . The interview was held by Luca Marcolivio for the press Zenit .
About two weeks ago Bishop Bernard Fellay, Superior General of the SSPX was received by Pope Francis at the Vatican. The private audience caused quite a stir since it is known that Francis has no strong sympathies for  tradition.

New "Doctrinal Preamble"?

Curial Archbishop Pozzo described the meeting as "useful" on the "path" of the SSPX,  "towards a full reconciliation" that "will be made a canonical recognition of the institute."  Currently it is "primarily" about creating a more trusting and respectful air, "to overcome  hardening and distrust".
When asked which "basic requirements" Rome is urging of the SSPX for recognition, Pozzo said that the SSPX would submit a "doctrinal statement" which "at the appropriate moment," is one that will contain all the "essential and necessary points". Pozzo described such points as: "the approval of the creed, the sacramental bond and hierarchical communion with the Roman Pontiff, the head of the episcopal college united with him."
Specifically the Curial Archbishop explained, "that the SSPX is asked to recognize that only the Magisterium of the Church is entrusted with the preservation, defense and interpretation of the deposit of faith, and the Magisterium is not higher than the Word of God, but this serves only to hand down doctrine." The supreme Magisterium is the "authentic interpreter" even of  the previous texts of the Magisterium  "in the light of the everlasting tradition," including those of the Second Vatican Council. So there is no place for "opposing novelties", but only for a deeper understanding of the Depositum fidei, "always in the same doctrine, the same sense and in the same tradition."

Discussions have "led to a significant clarification" of Vatican II

As for the Second Vatican Council, the trodden path of the "recent years" have "led to a significant clarification," said Pozzo. "The 2nd Vatican Council can only be understood in the context of the entire tradition of the Church and her constant magisterium in an appropriate manner."  In addition, a different weighting and thus binding of each document is observed. The person in charge of Ecclesia Dei emphasized that there even after "the canonical recognition" the conciliar documents can continue to be discussed. The aim of the "discussion, deepening" must be to "avoid any misunderstandings and contradictions" that "to our knowledge are currently spread throughout the Church".

Outstanding issues such as religious freedom, ecumenism are not "an obstacle to recognition"

The open questions about the relationship between church and state, freedom of religion, practice of ecumenism and inter-religious dialogue as well as "some aspects of liturgical reform and their actual use" would "be discussed and remain points to be clarified." but however, "they are not an obstacle for the canonical and legal recognition" of the SSPX.
Text: Giuseppe Nardi
Image: La Croix (Screenshot)
Trans: Tancred vekron99@hotmail.com
AMDG


Sunday, April 10, 2016

SSPX Disagreements With Vatican II Are No Obstacle


Edit: this is the deal breaker, which was denied to the Society lay time documents were brought to them for signing.

[Rorate Caeli] Abp. Pozzo, Secretary of the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei, spoke to the semi-official daily of the French episcopate, La Croix, on the relations between the Holy See and the Society of St. Pius X, and among other relevant things said the following:


"The difficulties raised by the SSPX regarding Church-State relations and religious freedom,the practice of ecumenism, and the dialogue with non-Christian religions, of certain aspects of the liturgical reform, and of its concrete application, remain the object of discussion and clarification, Abp. Pozzo [of the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei] added, but they are not an obstacle for the canonical and legal recognition of the SSPX."

http://rorate-caeli.blogspot.com/2016/04/main-vatican-ecclesia-dei-official.html?m=1


Wednesday, April 6, 2016

Why is this Pope Determined to Recognize the SSPX?


(Rome) Is Pope Francis soon  set to take an extraordinary step in favor of the SSPX? "It is a common opinion in the Vatican, and particularly among those who are close to the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei, which is responsible for the Lefebvrian  dossier that the Pope will soon perform an arbitrary and spectacular gesture towards the Society of St. Pius X," as the Vatican expert Marco Tosatti writes in his blog. 
The long conversation between the Pope and the Superior General of the SSPX, Bishop Bernard Fellay, on April 1, was "certainly a sign in that direction."
This is the question hanging in the room, just  why a Pope who "certainly has no sympathy for the Conservatives, and permits that the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate are put through the meat grinder for years because of the mere suspicion of, 'Lefebvrian  tendencies',  seems ready again to fully recognize the former schismatics. There are two possible answers in this issue," says Tosatti.

The penchant for spectacular gestures

The first  reason is the predisposition of character of the Pope, which is his desire and  satisfaction of making some sensational gestures like the embrace with the Russian Orthodox Patriarch Kirill I in Cuba. Gestures that neither John Paul II. nor Benedict XVI. were granted, his two direct predecessors whose pontificates he regards with some inner distance. In this case, both had endeavored with great dedication for it. Suitable areas for spectacular gestures include the SSPX. The approach under John Paul II. culminated with the declared excommunication by Rome in the exact opposite direction.  Benedict XVI. received Bishop Fellay soon after his election in audience, and thus laid the foundation for the talks not aborted since then. In 2009 he lifted  the Decree of Excommunication and in May 2012, canonical recognition seemed virtually certain. But things turned out differently, and with the choice of the Argentine Pope every prospect seemed further away than ever.

The assessment that tradition is obsolete 

The second  reason is a strategic analysis of the Pope and thus the appearance, of how Pope Francis sees the traditionalists. Despite their considerable strength, ( "some say a million," said Tosatti) the  pope does not consider them numerically dangerous. According to the logic that Francis expressed concern in February 2014 to the Czech bishops, he sees the interest in the traditional form of the Roman Rite as "just a fad". In his opinion, the views and positions, also the theology,  of tradition is outdated. History will prove them wrong.  The Pope represents, according to this opinion, that self aware  overconfidence in the victory of progressive thinking that thinks it is rightis by definition. The Pope would be strengthened in this opinion  by his observation that the influence of the traditionalists in the Church and the mass media seems low. Their  recognition and regularizatiin  is therefore a cost-effective opportunity to prove his own generosity and fatherhood with a spectacular media-step. Closing a soon to be 30 year old wound would contribute to Francis' entry in church history, even if in his view, it would only be the size of a footnote.

Text: Giuseppe Nardi
Image: MiL
Trans: Tancred vekron99@hotmail.com
AMDG

Tuesday, April 5, 2016

Rome and the Society of Saint Pius X: "The Meeting Went Well" -- "It Goes in the Direction of a Personal Prelature"

"The Meeting Went Well", according to Il Foglio according to
its Vatican Sources
(Rome) Matteo Matzuzzi, the Vatican expert of the Italian daily Il Foglio , reported initially on Monday  that Bishop Bernard Fellay, Superior General of the Society of St. Pius X, was received by Pope Francis in private audience last Friday. Here is Matzuzzi's piece:

The Pope Met Bernard Fellay, head of the Lefebvrians

The pope on Saturday 1 received Bernard Fellay, the superior general and direct successor 2 of Monsignor Marcel Lefebvre at the head of St. Pius X. The conversation "was positive" as Il Foglio  learned from Vatican sources. Between Francis and Fellay "the consultation went well."
It is a further step towards canonical recognition of the Fraternity to the Holy See in the form of an ad hoc erected Prelature on the model of Opus Dei, therefore with far-reaching and not only organizational autonomy.
In an interview recently translated into five languages ​​and published on the website of the  Society, Fellay showed himself very open to dialogue, by repeatedly emphasizing his appreciation for the reigning pope:
"I would not be more surprised if he sees us as one of those margins, to which he obviously gives preference. And precisely in this perspective he uses the expression "to travel part of the way" with the people on the periphery, in the hope of being able to improve things. This is therefore not a firm resolution to come directly to the destination, one way or another, a way to go ... but the main thing is is quite peaceful, nice, without knowing very well where that will lead. This is probably one of the main reasons. "
Already towards the end of 2013 there was, as the internet site Rorate Caeli brought to light,  a first meeting in Santa Marta. However, It was not a conversation, but more of a chance encounter.
In an interview Fellay noted another aspect of which reveals how far the path to reconciliation has already progressed:
"Very surprising, since it is clear that Pope Francis wants to give us life and to survive. To anyone who wants to hear it, he says he will never do anything evil to the Fraternity. He also said that we are Catholic. He has refused to convict us as schismatics, he said, you are not schismatic, you are Catholic ', even if he subsequently used a somewhat enigmatic word  when he said we were on the way to full communion. For this expression, full communion, 'we would like to have a clear definition, because it looks as if  it corresponds to nothing precise. This is a feeling ... you do not know exactly what it is."
A decision in Econe where the Society has its headquarters 3 was particularly appreciated, relates to the pope granting permission that  Catholics may confess to  Lefebvrian priests. The Pope explained that in the letter last September 1, in which he granted an indulgence for the Jubilee Year:
"A final consideration concerns those faithful who for various reasons choose to attend churches officiated by priests of the Fraternity of St Pius X. This Jubilee Year of Mercy excludes no one. From various quarters, several Brother Bishops have told me of their good faith and sacramental practice, combined however with an uneasy situation from the pastoral standpoint. I trust that in the near future solutions may be found to recover full communion with the priests and superiors of the Fraternity. In the meantime, motivated by the need to respond to the good of these faithful, through my own disposition, I establish that those who during the Holy Year of Mercy approach these priests of the Fraternity of St Pius X to celebrate the Sacrament of Reconciliation shall validly and licitly receive the absolution of their sins."
Translation: Giuseppe Nardi
image: Il Foglio (Screenshot)
Trans: Tancred vekron99@hotmail.com
Link to Katholisches...
AMDG