More on Flavigny (Possible SSPX Reconciliation with Rome)

WITL ^ | January 31, 2006 | Rocco Palmo

[NYer]

Tomorrow, as previously reported here, representatives of all the religious groups which form the aggregate Lefevbrist movement are meeting in Flavigny, France.

It is widely believed that the convocation is being held in an attempt to unite the groups and brief them on a proposed reconciliation between the Holy See and the Society of St. Pius X, the flagship splinter-sect which broke communion with Rome in 1988 at the ordination of four bishops without papal approval by the Tridentine renegade Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre.

In exchange for the return to full communion of the Lefebvrist bishops -- which by no means could come immediately, but toward which goal tomorrow's summit is oriented -- and other, unspecified conditions, it's said the Holy See could be prepared to grant:

• an acknowledgment that the Pian, or Tridentine, rite was not abrogated in the liturgical reforms following the Second Vatican Council;
• an acknowledgment of the Old Mass' place and value in the life of the Latin church;
• an acknowledgment that the SSPX never sought on its own accord to enter into schism;
• an Apostolic Administration, subject to the Congregation for the Clergy, for the Society to maintain administration of its chapels, seminaries and other apostolates

Before anything is sealed, however, several questions do remain.

The first is whether, if the plan as sketched out goes forward at all, the four SSPX bishops return in unison. Two of them are said to be publicly noncommittal: Bernard Tissier de Mallerais, and Richard Williamson, who last night was reported to be "obstinate." Alfonso de Galarreta is said to be more aligned with Fellay's pro-reconciliation stance.

The timetable for all this has been expedited by the exigencies of the SSPX leadership. Fellay's term as Superior General expires later this year, and as he is perceived as the most-amenable of the four to a reconciliation, an accord hammered out with him as a principal would likely provide the best possible outcome, both for Rome and Econe.

While promotions and sacramental titles would not be part of any deal, as Popes do not bargain their office, Schmidberger -- the last of Lefebvre's closest aides still in the Society's upper echelon of leadership -- is seen as the Society's likely future head, particularly given the moderation with which he has handled the issue of its potential return; he was in the room with Fellay on 29 August as the SSPX leadership met with a Pope for the first time since the 1988 excommunications.

Lastly, one would be led to wonder what Rome seeks in return for the concessions it seems prepared to grant the Society. In a word, as one source puts it, all Rome wants is "the four bishops back," and in communion. (Of course, in order to do so, they must profess to accept the validity of the teachings of the Second Vatican Council as part of the Magisterium, etc.)

Even if a splinter, or more than just a few, of the SSPX's priests and faithful remain outside the church, the Society's sources of sacramental life vis a vis the ordination of priests and the consecration of churches are cut at the knees if the bishops return to Rome in one piece. But many variables remain in the air and are changing by the hour.

More as it comes....

[jrny]

She foresees a schism within the Society, with him on the other side.


I'm hoping this doesn't happen. As an ex-SSPXer myself, I know too well the different factions in play. These factions are mostly evident in their larger locales (St. Mary's, KS & Post Falls, ID) and barely existent in their smaller chapels to be honest, but they do exist and the infighting has, in my opinion, caused the spiritual destruction of many well intentioned souls. I've seen it.

No, I too am praying that the SSPX returns. It will be a huge boost for Tradition and offer many viable geographical options for attending Mass way over and above the current availability.

If Williamson leads his own schismatic group, I foresee him joining up with likes of the "Bishop' Kelly, the SSPV, and other branch SSPV breakaways. Personal differences may be put aside given the new situation. The SSPV, in other words, could very well get a huge boost and come out from oblivion and be the new frontman of "schismatic traditionalism".

The CMRI will continue to wallow in its overt sedevacantism.

[jecIIny]

From the perspective of a former Catholic, I would tend to think of sede vecantists as out right heretics and not schismatics. Some of their views are just beyond ridiculous (not to mention hateful). I really think they are about as Catholic as the women priest groups and pro abortion rights "Catholics." Just on the other end of the spectrum. They are all wackos.

[bornacatholic]

I was being positive. The SSPX sons will mimic their SSPX Father, Lefebvre.