SSPX Ordinations Recognized as Licit and Valid by Rome

The Society was authorized to carry out priest ordinations without the consent of the local bishop. The consecration is therefore not only valid, but also allowed, says Bernhard Fellay, the superior of the FSSPX.

Vatican (kath.net/CWN/jg) The Bishops of the Priestly Society of St. Pius X (FSSPX) may consecrate priests with the consent of the Vatican. This was announced in an interview by Bernard Fellay, the FSSPX Superior General.

He had received a letter from Rome last year. He had been told that his Society priests could be consecrated without the consent of the local bishop. The priestly ordinations of the Society were therefore not only valid, but also allowed, Fellay added.

This is another step in the approach between the Society and the Vatican, said the Superior General. Under Pope Benedict XVI And Pope Francis, relations have improved. Benedict XVI Lifted the excommunication of the Society in 2009. The confessions and nuptials of the FSSPX have been recognized under Pope Francis. In October 2016 Bernard Fellay was received at the Vatican.

Trans: Tancred vekron99@hotmail.com
AMDG

Official Statement by SSPX to Archbishop Gerhard Ludwig Müller's Charge of Schism

Archbishop Gerhard Ludwig Müller, soon to be a cardinal of the Catholic Church and Prefect of the Congregation of the Faith, announced on 22 December 2013 during an interview with the Italian daily Corriere della Sera, in which he claimed that it would a "sacramental de facto excommunication" continues for the SSPX  "due to their schism".

To this false claim, the Society of St. Pius X. clarifies its position:

This statement by Archbishop Müller is nothing new;  it repeats what he already said in October 2012, in the interview that he granted to the German radio network NDR:  “From a pastoral perspective, the door is still open,” while clarifying:  “No compromise is possible on the level of the Catholic faith, in particular as it was correctly formulated by the Second Vatican Council.  Vatican II is not in contradiction with the whole of the Church’s tradition;  strictly speaking it is opposed to certain erroneous interpretations of the Catholic faith.  We cannot negotiate the Catholic faith;  no compromise is possible.”  And he insisted:  “The Society of St Pius X knows the requirements that it must accept.  I think that from now on there will be no new discussions.”  Quite obviously, the Society of St Pius X denies no article of the Creed and professes the entire Catholic faith;  to call this into question is to make a false accusation.  It only opposes all the novelties which have been altering the Catholic faith for the last fifty years.

The Next Pope Will Decide on the SSPX: No Ultimatum

Edit: The decision won’t be made by laymen who work for secular or allegedly Catholic news services, heterodox senior clergy or anyone else who doesn’t have the competence to make the decision. No doubt, those older hands, with a little professional advice, will help the next pope, provided that Pope Benedict doesn’t recant his abdication before February 28th at 8pm. As reported by the Society German District and at English DICI, there will be no “ultimatum” as prescribed by lesser lights. There is no deadline. As VIS reports:

Regarding the issue of the Society of St. Pius X, he reaffirmed that the date of 22 February to decide the issue is pure hypothesis and that Benedict XVI has decided to entrust the matter to the next Pope, therefore, a definition of relations with that society should not be expected by the end of this pontificate.

Bishop Williamson Will Be Expelled

The only conceivable result of the Vatican negotiations with the Society of St. Pius X consists in that Rome in the future will have two Societies to confront.

Bischof Williamson bei der Distriktswallfahrt
der Deutschen nach Fulda, 2006 

(kreuz.net) Society Bishop Richard Williamson (72) will be shut out of the Society of St. Pius X.

This was learned by kreuz.net and reported recently.

A Hot Potato

The last cause for the exclusion was an unauthorized Confirmation by the Bishop in South  America in the past August.

Already for years, the General Superior of the Society, Bishop Benard Fellay, in vain, had put a muzzle on Msgr Williamson.

So also it was expected of him that he would cease his weekly e-mail commentary.  But the Bishop continued to publish.

Another Society?

It is yet to be seen that the Bishop will found another Society with other exiled priests.

Then it may be only a question of time, till he will ordain Bishops.

It is still in question, if he has the necessary organizational talent and energy to build a new structure.

Besides it passes as egocentric.

In view of the expected scenario many observers regard the shutting out Bishop Williamson as a fatal mistake.

Link to original...kreuz.net....

The SSPX Calls "Indispensable" Conditions -- Rome Sees Willingness to Talk

(Vatican/Menzigen)  After Msgr Fellay of the Society of St. Pius X received a newly revised "Doctrinal Preamble" on June 13th for signing, the reconciliation talks between Rome and Econe have been at a standstill.  Some on both sides have spoken already of a collapse of the talks.  A less than friendly exchang also took place between the Society and the new Prefect of the Congregation for Doctrine and the Faith.

The General Chapter of the Society at the beginning of July ended with a strengthening of the General Superior, who attempted, to strengthen the unity of the Society.  Regarding the discussions with Rome there was nothing concrete to convey.  This is a sign that the talks have still not collapsed.  It is the Society founded by Marcel Lefebvre in 1970 to take its turn to address the "Preamble" of June 13th from Rome.  Such a response has not yet been received by the Vatican.

Curial Archbishop Mueller, the new guardian of the Faith of the Catholic Church is on vacation for the next few weeks.  The same applies to the curial Archbishop de Noia appointed to be responsible for the SSPX as the Secretary of the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei.  Bishop FEllay could therefore wait for his answer yet.  In August, not much of consequences happens in the Vatican often.  Basically, the Roman side seems to have no intention of excercising pressure for its part.

From the context of the CDF it means that the new edition of the Preamble of Pope Benedict XVI in May during the general assembly of the CDF would be sanctioned.  At the same time the contention has been contradicted, in the edition of the Preamble which Cardinal Levada gave the Society on June 13 which corresponded significantly to that of 2011 and put for that reason a step backward, because the alternate proposals and desires of the Society had not been taken into account.

Two points of the Preamble were the desire of the Pope or the Prefect of the CDF were included again in the Preamble.  The first point touched on the post-Conciliar form of the Roman Rite, the Novus Ordo.  Rome expected that the SSPX not only recognize the validity of the New Mass, but also its legitimacy.  That does not mean that the liturgical abuses may not be criticized, and those of translation may not be discussed.

The second point touched on the Second Vatican Council.  In the Vatican there is strong resistance against the presentiment that the Conciliar documents are even only described as being "erroneous" in parts.  For that reason the Society is expected to distinguish  between the Conciliar documents and their interpretation, and recognize, that the Magisterium may not be judged by any other authority, also not the Society.

It drives the issue, to put it bluntly, where the healthy Catholic way is between the idea that the Second Vatican Council was a kind of "super Council" or even a "super dogma", although it itself made no such claim, and the idea that the SSPX gets the role of a "super Magisterium" to which would be appended the Church's Magisterium.

"The aim of dialogue is to overcome the difficulties in the interpretation of the Second Vatican Council, but we can not negotiate the revealed Faith, that is impossible.  An Ecumenical Council, according to the Catholic Faith is always the highest Magisterium of the Church, "Said the new Prefect of the Congregation for Doctrine and the Faith in an EWTN interview.  Specifically, he added: "The claim that the authentic teachings of the Second Vatican Council can be in contradiction to the Tradition of the Church is wrong."

While you're waiting in Rome for the response of Bishop Fellay, the internal Society circulars are finding a lot of attention, which -- was immediately published by Internet leakers -- once more.  Father Christian Thouvenot, the Secretary of the Superior General released the proceedings of the General Council together. It was determined that the three conditions as the "sine qua non" of the agreement made reconciliation with Rome impossible.  The formulations, such as the one found in Rome, leave room for negotiation.  Among other things, the claims will be affirmed, that the Society's priests will only celebrate the classical form of the Roman Rite, but said nothing about the legality of the ordinary form of the Roman Rite.

The demand for free and public criticism of the "error or the innovations of modernism, liberalism, the Second Vatican Council and its consequences", could ultimately be read less harshly than it might seem at first glance.  "Everything will depend on the response sent to Rome by Msgr Fellay", like the Vatican, as Vaticanist Andrea Tornielli is heard to be continuously repeated these days.


The question of exempt status of the SSPX, to be free from the influence of Diocesan Bishops, the concession to have a bishop as head of the Society and other questions are held in Rome as "solved".

Text: Giuseppe Nardi 
Image: Le Barroux


Link to original...katholisches...

Benedict XVI: "It would be easier for me not to recognize the Society"

The struggle for Unity

The SSPX is at a crossroads. The Pope is pusing for a decision -- with or against the Vatican. 

(kreuz.net) The structure Rome is offering the Society of St. Pius X is "unbelievably convenient". General Superior Bishop Bernard Fellay said this at the end of a sermon in Vienna. A section of the sermon is on the videoportal 'gloria.tv'.


"We remain, what we are"


After the upcoming possible recognition there would be no noticeable difference compared to now, says Msgr Fellay:

"We will remain what we are."

The guarantee of the freedom of the Society is something Bishop Fellay views as a problem.  At the moment several points are unclear.

There is a fear that the Vatican will attempt to manipulate the SSPX.

Bishops want to prevent the reconciliation

Bishop Fellay recognized that the offer to the Society is also controversial in the official Church.

At the same time he assures that the Pope personally desires that the reconciliation with the Society will take place.

There could be no doubt:  "But it is also surely not what all in the Church desire".

"Much Pressure"

Msgr Fellay does not know the further course of the negotiations.

It could be that the Pope will decide within days or weeks.

Or  the proceedings could be sent back to the CDF.

There is "much pressure" in the Vatican.

The Pope is preparing for some blows

Bishop Fellay cited what the Pope has said about the situation of the Society.

Benedict XVI said:  "I know that it would  be easier for me and the Society, to leave things in their current situation."

The Holy Father knows that after he "will receive blows" for a reconciliation.

With or Against Rome?


Finally, Bishop Fellay explained that the current "seemingly comfortable" situation is coming to an end for the Society.

The current way will not contine:  "It will be a with or  against Rome from this point on."

Both will be hard.

Link to kreuz.net...

Holy Father Ready to Concede Society's Points on Vatican II and Liturgy

Edit: the Society is ready to humbly submit, but the Holy Father is also generous to his sheep.

Fathers Pfluger and Schmidberger

(Stuttgart/Trier) The formalization of the union between the Holy See and the Society of St. Pius X, which has organized a pilgrimage to Trier and with that also wants to make a visible demonstration, comes ever closer.   Meanwhile, Budestag Vice President Wolfgang Thierse, who dared to receive hand Communion from Pope Benedict XVI in Berlin,   said in a KNA-interview taking the position of Cardinal Kurt Koch, that the "Vatican will not take back the Society of Saint Pius X". In the first place, this suggestion is solely an initiative of Thierses, who is repeating his own opinion   Recently Father Franz Schmidberger, the Superior of the German District of the Society as also Father Niklaus Pfluger, the first assistant to the Superior General of the Society have shown themselves as positive toward the posibillity of a reconciliation with Rome.

Father Pfluger spoke on April 29th at a meeting of Actio Spes Unica  in the German town of Hattersheim about this.  "Unexpectedly Father Pfluger began to discuss the happenings of the last months till today.  And he otherwise made known that this event had convinced Bishop Fellay to distance himself from the previous principles that distanced the Society from Rome," as it stated in the participant's report and how it will respond  in the reconciliation  offer of Pope Benedict XVI.

"There can be no practical agreement without doctrinal agreement",  said Father Pflugger, expressing himself with the original negotiation maxim of the Society.  It should become clear, however, "that Pope Benedict XVI. is so very interested in a canonical solution for the Society, that he is ready to conclude an agreement even if the controversial texts of the Vatican Council II and the New Mass are not recoginzed."  Should the Society itself "however, with these new stipulations still refuse reunion,  then they would face the prospect of possible excommunication",  said Father Pfluger in recounting the meeting between Cardinal William Levada and the General Superior Fellay on March 16th 2012 in Rome.

"With this understand the General Superior, Bishop Bernard Fellay, did not consider that it would be possible, to hold back from the Pope's offer. It would mean a descent into sedevacantism matter should be closed to the desire of the Holy Father even then, if this was not linked to the recognition of false beliefs," as the first assistant pointed out in Hattersheim.

Pfluger then recalled that Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, the founder of the Society, had been offered  " a very far reaching proposal for an agreement" in 1987 and 1988, "with which he wanted a mediation, which would have been completely to the advantage of the Church."  The proposal which Archbishop Lefebvre then "had been prepared to sign",  would have conceded "very far reaching concessions" to the Society.

It is noteworthy that "false doctrines" today would also  disappear today "upon the Pope's  [not] command  throughout the world overnight",  said Pfluger, who recalled for clarification of historical examples, that Arianism after still influenced for decades after its condemnation, and 50 years after the end of the Council of Trent, yet abuses continued, whose removal is only gradually takes hold.

"The recognition of the Society is finally an official endorsement of the importance of Tradition, which would become especially influential throughout the entire Church.  And it would redress the injustice and stigmatization," said Pfluger.  "The movement back to Tradition, is above all the desire of young priests, who say the Old Mass, is so strong that despite intimidation and pressure can not be held back any longer.  They are in the meantime strong enough that the the Society can defend against the foreseeable efforts of the Modernist Bishops."

The German District Superior, Father Franz Schmidberger, stressed in the forward of the May edition of the Bulletin of the District  of the "unbreakable bond" with "eternal Rome".  One may "not expect that after conciliar and post-conciliar breaks of today that tomorrow morning everything will be again perfect in the militant Church on earth."  "To their human immperfections are counted also even errors, if they do not speak directly against the revealed truth", said Schmidberger.  "Let us not forget in the mean time our struggle for the principles of Archbishop Lefebvre: The Church is founded by Christ on Peter.  He entrusted to  him the keys to the kingdom of Heaven and commanded him, to shepherd the entire flock. Let the fields of the Church be so much more overgrown by weeds,  that it's impossible to see the wheat  - the Church has the promise of eternal life, the Lord is with you always until the end of time. It is His church, not ours. We have no right to dispose of it. We must not view the Church as too human, too political and diplomatic."

"If Rome is now recalling us from exile, in which we in 1975 with the withdrawal of approval, and even more in 1988 when we have been expelled  by the decree of excommunication, then this is an act of justice and no doubt also truly an act of pastoral care from Pope Benedict XVI. and we are grateful, " said Schmidberger.

The same passage from Rorate which differs

 If Rome now calls us back from the exile to which it expelled us in 1975 with the abrogation of the [canonical] approval [of the Society], and even more in 1988 with the decree of excommunication, then that is an act of justice and without doubt also an act of authentic pastoral care of Pope Benedict XVI. And for that we are grateful.

Link to katholisches... 

Bishops to +Fellay: "Toss the Council to the Side, Forget it!"

Bishop Fellay at Candlemass 

Edit: Rorate reports that Italian commentators are having trouble understanding what Bishop Fellay is saying.  Actually, he's been overwhelmingly positive and is finding a tremendous amount of support from REAL Vatican Insiders and even Bishops.

Bishop Fellay cited the thesis of one of his Vatican collaborators.  This one came to the conclusion that the Pastoral Council has the doctrinal authority of a sermon from the 1960s.

(Kreuz.net) The Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X is fighting "with and against Rome" at the same time.

That said, the Superior General of the Fraternity, Bishop Bernard Fellay, the Feast of Canlemas, during a Sermon in the 30,000 population city of Winona in Minnesota.

An audio of the sermon is posted on the Seminary's website.

It would be Better Outside


There have been many attempts within the Conciliar Church to get rid of the Society -- explained Bishop Fellay.

According his information, it may be better for the Society to remain "outside".

Because: Then they would receive better treatment from the Church.

As an example, the Bishop recalled how friendly the Church is for the Godless protestants, who come to the Conciliar Church's door and find it opened.

Those are Dogmas

The main problem is identified by Msgr. Fellay "in the Magisterium".

Rome maintains that the past Magisterium can be differentiated from.

Msgr Fellay counters: "The truth is not dependent of the time. Reality is above it."

What was once defined is binding for all time: "These are dogmas."

Very Accomodating

The Society has received an "invitation" for canonical regularization of their situation -- said Msgr Fellay.

The Vatican has been very accomodating "It met all of our requirements."

Actually, for Msgr. Fellay, the difficulties are on the level of the Magisterium. Even here the Roman proposals went "far -- very far."

The Society must accept that the ambiguous points in the Second Vatican Council -- such as ecumenism and religious freedom -- must be understood in accordance with Catholic doctrine.

Msgr. Fellay is "astonishingly" positive.

The application makes problems

Msgr. Fellay sees problems in the implementation of these instructions.

Then that led to that the Society could not accept the offer.

As an example for the application of those principles from Rome are ecumenism and religious freedom.

Thsi should be understood in terms of the 'Catechism of the Catholic Church'.

But it is precisely this understanding which the Society has criticized -- said Msgr. Fellay.

A Maximum to Confusion

Rome recognized that there may be a break between the new and old doctrine.

Therefore that the old teachings on ecumenism and religious freedom would be maintained anyway.

On the contrary, the Society couldn't swallow that.

For Bishop Fellay this point reached a maximum of confusion.

That was the reason why the reconciliation could not be signed.
>
The Roman conclusion, where a new teaching could automatically correspond to the ancient doctrine, could not be agreed to.

Without Ecumenism and Without Religious Freedom

Bishop Fellay stressed that in the Vatican there is a true desire to accept the Society.

The Soceity is for its side ready for reconciliation:

"If you accept us, as we are, without changes, without making us duty bound, to accept ecumenism and religious freedom, then we are ready."

Even Ignore the Pastoral Council?

Bishop Fellay suggested that the situation in ten years looks quite different.

Then the old liberal Conciliar generation will be gone.

Several bishops had said the Society, you take the Pastoral Council far too seriously. Their advice: "Toss the Council on the side forget it!"

But Msgr. Fellay notes that the Council "because of the damage that it has caused," is to be taken seriously.

Regarding the Dogmatic authority of the Pastoral Council, he cites the Roman doctoral thesis of an unnamed Vatican employee.

He came to the conclusion that the Pastoral Council possesses the same authority as a sermon from the 1960s.

Unhappy progressives

Mons. Fellay ventured no predictions about the future of the Society or the Church.

He could only promise that the Church is in a Conciliar winter with no new beautiful springtime.

But one thing he knows, "that progressives are not happy."

Link to kreuz.net...

Photo: © Piusbruderschaft