The following comes from an April 4 Catholic News Agency article by Ann Schneible:
Both the Vatican and the Society of St. Pius X have confirmed that this weekend Pope Francis met with the priestly society’s superior general, Bishop Bernard Fellay, at the Vatican.
An April 4 statement issued by the SSPX, meanwhile, said that Pope Francis received Bishop Fellay at his Domus Sanctae Marthae residence in the Vatican on April 1. The statement said Bishop Fellay was accompanied by Fr. Alain-Marc Nely, second assistant general of the priestly society.
“Pope Francis had wanted a private and informal meeting, without the formality of an official audience. It lasted 40 minutes and took place under a cordial atmosphere,” the SSPX stated. “After the meeting, it was decided that the current exchanges would continue. The canonical status of the Society was not directly addressed, Pope Francis and Bishop Fellay having determined that these exchanges ought to continue without haste.”
The biggest obstacle for the society’s reconciliation has been the statements on religious liberty in Vatican II’s declaration Dignitatis Humanae, which it claims contradicts previous Catholic teaching.
In 2015 the Holy See delegated a cardinal and three bishops to visit the seminaries of the SSPX. They were sent to become better acquainted with the society, and to discuss doctrinal and theological topics in a less formal context.
And Pope Francis announced in a September 2015 letter on the Jubilee Year of Mercy that during the jubilee year the faithful can validly and licitly receive absolution of their sins from priests of the SSPX.
“I trust that in the near future solutions may be found to recover full communion with the priests and superiors of the Fraternity,” he wrote.
I enjoyed reading this article! I have prayed for the success of the SSPX with the Vatican, for many long years! I recently joined in a Novena for the 25th anniversary of the death of Abp. Lefebvre, March 25th, 1991. I think Lefebvre was a martyr, and possibly, a Cause for his Canonization may someday be opened– who knows?? March 25th is the Feast of the Annunciation– a blessed day, to go to Heaven! (Of course, this year March 25th fell on Good Friday, so the Feast was temporarily moved to today, Monday, April 4th– after Easter, and after the Divine Mercy Novena and Feast!) Hope all goes well, with future talks, between Pope Francis and the SSPX!
“I trust that in the near future solutions may be found to recover full communion with the priests and superiors of the Fraternity,” he wrote.
Many are praying for this very special intention.
I have noticed for some time that Pope Francis speaks in a very Spanish way using paradoxes as Sancho Panza used paradoxical proverbs in “Don Quixote”. The proverbs were often contradictory but all true at times according to the situation. It seems in the interview of Bishop Felley that is recorded in an article called “Lefebre followers: he scares us, but we like Frances” that the bishop is catching on to the Holy Father’s way of speaking and understanding him more. Let us pray something good comes from all of this.
Correction: “Lefebvre” followers, not “Lefebre”.
If the SSPX could be incorporated into the Church it would be like a Nixon coming to China moment for Pope Francis and all of us. Benedict XVI dedicated his pontificate to this reconciliation in my view, only to fail in the end (although as part of process we were given the gift of Faith-saving Summorum Pontificum Motu Proprio that preserved the Latin Mass for those of us in the remnant). Hope Pope Francis takes the plunge into this historic opening to a neglected periphery.
It’s ironic that you should call this a Nixon coming to China moment. Who’s Nixon and who’s China in this scenario? Since Nixon’s trip in 1972, the U.S. is more communist than China is free. The Berlin Wall came down to let communism out, not to let freedom in. The U.S. lost the Cold War, and we lose it more everyday as the world speeds toward global socialist government. Let’s hope that the mainstream post Vatican II church doesn’t similarly swamp the SSPX.
Pope Francis is Nixon in my post. Nixon was from the right and could open up to a communist regime when the democrats could not. Pope Francisco is a leftist (Cultural Marxism, Global Warming, Fidel Castro and the like) and can open the door to a traditional group of 500 priests without being accused of being a traitor to Vatican Council II.
That’s why I said it was ironic – formerly, a man of the right, a conservative, made entreaties to communism, now a man of the left approaches traditionalists. It shows how far we’ve fallen. Nixon’s efforts backfired and did much to advance the global communist state. Now with red fascism encircling the globe, the one of the last remnants of orthodoxy is being threatened by the abyss of the left wing nothingness of Vatican 2. You’re right, there’s absolutely no treason to Vatican 2, but it’s not difficult to see the threat in the other direction.
To my mind, if the SSPX accepts all of the teachings of the Second Vatican Council, it should be fully and speedily re-integrated into the Catholic Church. The ball is in their court. I add that its EF form of celebrating the Mass and other Sacraments should be preserved. And when re-union is achieved ALL Catholic bishops must be firmly instructed to accept and guard the liturgical preferences of the SSPX.
On the other hand, the SSPX must abjure the false idea that it is the only remaining “remnant” of the Church founded by Jesus Christ. I accept that the Second Vatican Council was pastoral and not dogmatic. But a re-union that lasts can never be achieved if the SPPX, matter how pure their intentions, insist on the right to pick…
If you acknowledge that the council was pastoral and not dogmatic, then why do you say that the SSPX should accept all of the council’s teachings? Pope Paul VI himself said that the council imposed no mandate upon Catholics to accept the council’s teachings.
Sorry Ralph, but your understanding of recent history is very much on the worldwide-conspiracy tract and not on reality. Nixon’s trip to China opened the door for China to join the community of nations and the call to have the Wall taken down was to unite the people of Germany. The current Chancellor of Germany was raised in Eastern Germany. If you haven’t been to China in the last ten years you can’t image what opening up that nation has meant to its people. Only the Human Events newspaper would have the same take on the world as you mentioned.
Of course the removal of the Wall was to unite Germany. Not only Germany, but the world. The Chinese are happy? Just those not among the 400 million killed through forced abortion since Nixon, and since then, US is much more socialist. China’s capitalism couldn’t be more irrelevant. Marx said that communism is the monopoly of capitalism. The progress of global corporatism and integration with central banking is that very project. Revelation prophesizes world government. Look at an MC Escher painting: Is it this way, or that way? All nations, tongues and creeds will worship the antichrist, except for the few who recognize him. Deny conspiracy if you want but it’s happening anyway.
It is strange that the Vatican is getting cozy with two opposite sides: Lutherans, and the SSPX. The Church historically has more in common with the SSPX, but so far seems closer to the Lutherans. Certain aspects of the faith never change or evolve, so I am hoping that the SSPX will be ‘regularized’ soon so traditional and conservative Catholics can come out of the shadows, and not be persecuted by the hierarchy. Ave Maria Purrissima !
AMEN !
The SSPX priests are fully Catholic noted Abp. Schneider some years ago, and should be accepted into the Church as they are. Such a conclusion would be a wonder to all Catholics. The testament to the SSPX belief in the Church is rising, in spectacular fashion, at a rural site not far from Charlottesville, VA. A great and noble seminary will form hundreds and thousands of Catholic orthodox priests, at a time when many new Catholic Novus Ordo priests simply have no idea (or interest) of the Church beyond Vatican II.
Who knows why Francis is doing this, and who cares. The Holy Ghost is surely at work.
Building bridges just as a good Pontiff should.
Their BIGGEST beef with the Roman Catholic Church is our teaching on “Religious Liberty,” eh?
Well, anyone who is so violently OPPOSED to the idea of religious liberty would find more in common with ISIS than with the followers of Jesus.
Muslim extremists, like these guys, don’t believe in “religious freedom” either!!
You are truly a vulgarian, aren’t you “Anonymous?” There is no violence, except what many Zombie-Liberals in the present Church teach towards Traditional, Orthodox Catholics. The SSPX are, in the main, wonderful Catholics, who will not yield in their faithfulness. Embrace the German/Latin American Catholic institutional church all you want, but a sin is still a sin and demands confession, absolution, and atonement. The SSPX would certainly give you all the “freedom” you wish in your worship selection; just avoid contaminating the Catholic Church while so engaging.
Catholicism does not force adherence by anyone; Islam will murder to force adherence. The objection of the SSPX to Vatican 2 pertains to the Council’s apparent dismissal of the supernatural duty of the Church to teach and propagate the faith in direct opposition to false religions.
Anonymous– the Vatican Ii concept of “religious liberty” is not in the usual sense of the term, such as freedom to choose one’s own religion. Instead, it is meant in a permissive way, highly irresponsible, in no longer requiring fidelity to our Catholic Faith– especially, of intellectual leaders, such as the heretical Notre Dame U. leaders, awarding and praising famed promoters of abortion, such as President Obama and Vice-President Biden! We have a big responsibility to Christ! Vatican II is SHOCKINGLY DISHONEST in this way, not requiring those who deliberately sin, to face proper consequences!
There are a great many shallow, worldly, uncommitted, irresponsible, rebellious, immoral, immature, poorly-formed Catholic intellectual leaders in “Academia” (in Catholic universities and in the Catholic intellectual world) and elsewhere, in the Church of the post-Vatican II world! By contrast, Abp. Lefebvre had a deep, humble, loving, devoted, simple, child-like Faith, which he daily practiced with true fidelity to Christ, lifelong! He was a martyr for his beloved Faith! At least, if one decides to choose to follow a different pathway, and reject Jesus– then, one should be HONEST– and LEAVE THE CHURCH!!
Pray for the return of the S.S.P.X. to Rome.
When one is a way out left liberal, that person will stand and fall for anything. Look at the Unitarian church. It is supposed to be Protestant, yet Buddhists and atheists can be active members. It does not mean that one has an open mind when one will tolerate everything. I rejoice that the SSPX may be soon a respected part of the Catholic Church, but I am fearful that the Church may morph into a Roman version of the Unitarian church.
Exactly. The Unitarian Church is the preferred public religion used as cover for Freemasonry. The very character of Freemasonry that it supposedly “tolerates everything” is the essence of its conflict with Catholicism.
The Church has the mandate to be ecumenical. That simply means that we are charged with bringing other people into the Church, not put us in their denomination. This is a step to return some unhappy post VII folks to the flock. Got to be a good thing. At a Lutheran church that I attended on Good Friday (don’t ask) the had special prayers for Francis, the Bishop of Rome, for Bartholomew, etc. and then their own Bishops. Pope Francis, I think, is bringing people closer to the true church. Slowly, yes, but surely. If we can get our own people back that is a good start, don’t you think?
I am with Bob One on this one.
Gratias
No, “Bob One” there is no “mandate to be ecumenical.” In fact, the VII implementation of ecumenism is one of the key problems with the Church’s sole function of leading all to salvation. The Church is mandated to evangelize and to convert: “[]Teach ye all nations; baptizing them . . . Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you[.]” Matthew 28:19-20.
Christ’s command was to convert, not to be chummy and “ecumenical.” He wants ALL to be Catholic.
“He wants ALL to be Catholic.” Jesus was a Jew, or didn’t u know that?
Bob One wrong again as usual, ecumenism in the real sense is the heretics renounce their heresies submit to the See of St. Peter…
I am hoping that this reunion does take place because I have much more in common with the SSPX and the FSSP than I have with the novus ordo church. There was an April Fool’s joke that said Donald Trump became a Catholic before Easter. At first I believed it, but then read where it was a joke. I just pray that this reunion did take place, and that reconciliation will occur, and that this is not an April Fool’s joke.
True! The S.S.P.X. are not excommunicated as haters of this priestly society loves to point out. If it was not for them and Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre there would be no TLM in existence as we know it!! We owe His Grace extreme gratitude for his bravery and defense of Holy Tradition!!
“…We owe His Grace extreme gratitude for his bravery and defense of Holy Tradition!!”
The Holy Ghost uses whom He wills in the defense of His Church. But, as is common among human beings, those who have to be reminded to, “…keep holy the Lord’s Day,” while not forgetting to go to work on Monday, we forget that we owe those who came before us an immense debt.
Such ungrateful children we are, taking what we have now for granted as if by virtue of “our” being here alone, things are as they are. Prayers all around that God’s will be done in full.
Just as many Americans feel out of place in America because it has changed so much, so too does this apply to Catholics. The Church is not the same one we were raised in. No more nuns, fewer priests, circus Masses, penances frowned upon, etc. Thank God the SSPX has been around; from them came the desire to return to the TLM, and the other congregations such as the FSSP and Christ the King. Someday, God wiling, Archbishop Lefebvre will be canonized. He helped save the Church.
Just as many Americans feel abandoned, and alienated in America due to the rapid changes in society, so too do many Catholics believe they are strangers in their own Church. America is not the same as it was fifty years ago, and neither is the Church. Thank God Archbishop Lefebvre came along and preserved the TLM with the SSPX. This community led to the FSSP and the Society of Christ the King, all of which are maintaining the rich treasures of traditional Catholicism.
The trail has already been blazed for SSPX. It’s called FSSP.
The FSSP trail is not the path for the SSPX. The doctrinal differences as outlined are still very real and must be addressed at some juncture, Hymie. To ignore reality and just progress forward while divisions manifest under the tarp leads to trouble. Much like ignoring an infection.
Better to be straight out honest about one’s differences. So that issues can be clarified. There is nothing imprudent about seeking clarity on the pastoral ambiguity that has given rise to so much confusing fruit. Indeed, it is pastoral to beg clarification or at the very least not pretend it is no longer an issue.
Hopefully the Society can gain full acceptance into the Church without compromising the faith and ideals on which Archbishop Lefebvre founded the SSPX.
Lefebvre is a saint to many of us already!
The V2 church deception is so thick, the mice are following the pied piper into the sewer, even though the leader of the mice thinks he is doing the right thing. Yes his mission is to restore the protestant V2 Church back to Catholicism; however like the very good point Hymie made, what happened to the FSSP? They compromised, and gave up some of tradition to a very controversial anti-Catholic V2 magesterium. In the end, they did not change the V2 Church, it rather changed the FSSP. Wonder if the FSSP priests are consecrated by modern bishops? Or if they are “ordained” using V2 rituals? It really does matter!
Bruce, and others— the FSSP felt forced to accept Vatican II, at least on paper— in order to exist, survive, and flourish– but I bet their acceptance of the Council was only superficial. I think their hearts and souls are in the same place as the SSPX! The FSSP leaders, as well as the leaders of similar all-Latin Mass religious orders– originated in the SSPX! Some of the SSPX priests did not want to be outside of the regular Church. All FSSP ordinations are done according to the pre-Vatican II Roman Missal, and they ask interested bishops to do these pre-Vatican II ordinations.
Don’t be surprised to find the SSPX split into those who are willing to compromise with the Vatican 2 magestirium, and those that hold true, loyal, and dear to Pope St. Pius the Xth and what he stood (against the modernists) for during his reign in the Seat of St. Peter. The devil is out to divide and conquer. If he divides the SSPX, the traditional movement grows weaker; however, that doesn’t mean Roman Catholics following Church traditions are going to disappear. They will actually grow closer to God, stronger, smarter, and more efficient as Christ promised He would stand behind His Church (the one He instituted not man) and remain with Her until the end of the world!
There is a split forming in the SSPX and it is called THE RESISTENCE.
Best of luck to Bishop Fellay to try to restore the protestant V2 Church back to its Roman Catholic heritage/roots. He is doing what he thinks is best. Other Roman Catholic bishops following tradition will watch him closely to see if he is making any progress and not compromising the true faith. If he makes no progress converting the masqueraders in red and black, expect Bishop Fellay to back out. Pray the Rosary for Bishop Fellay to do and succeed in doing God’s Holy Will.