Posted on 07/13/2006 9:47:30 AM PDT by Hieronymus
"Lefebvrists: the agreement is closer - The pact is ready, but Fellay has not yet decided" from Rome [Il Giornale - report by Andrea Tornielli]
All is ready for the agreement between the Holy See and the Fraternity Saint Pius X, founded by the "rebel" Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre. The Vatican forwarded several weeks ago precise propositions to reach peace [a peaceful solution] and the reentrance of the Lefbvrists into full communion with Rome.
The negotiations, begun in 2000, have, as is well known, accelerated after the election of Benedict XVI, who, last August received the superior of the Traditionalists, Bishop Bernard Fellay, at Castelgandolfo.
However, from Menzingen, where the head of the Lefebvrists resides, no affirmative signal has so far arrived. Exactly two days ago, the same bishop Fellay was reconfirmed at the helm of the Fraternity, by the General Chapter, for the next twelve years. He had guided it since 1994.
As his "first and second assistants" Father Niklaus Pfluger and Father Marco Nely were elected. The first belongs to the harder line, while the second belongs to the more moderate wing.
It is possible that, in the past period, with the knowledge that his term was nearing its end, Fellay would have hesitated. Now, however, precise signals are expected in the Vatican. The terms of agreement include the acceptance of the theological agreement already agreed in 1988 by Archbishop Lefebvre and the then Cardinal Ratzinger, the lift of the excommunications decreed by the Holy See after the illegitimate ordination of four bishops by the same Lefebvre, and a canonical structure, similar to that of the military ordinariat, which allows the Fraternity Saint Pius X to preserve its seminaries and to incardinate [its own] priests.
Simultaneously to the agreement, the Holy See will announce a kind of liberalization of the pre-Conciliar Missal of Saint Pius V -- a measure very much expected also by Traditionalists in communion with Rome.
__________________ Source: Il Giornale (Andrea Tornielli)
Ping
Although if a deal is reached it will no doubt tear the Society right down the middle. Williamson's not interested in this party, I think.
Continued prayers for the return of these catholics to the fold.
I'll believe it when I see it.
I think more realistically, we should look for another meeting between Fellay and the Pope to occur within the next two months before any accord could even possibly be given serious consideration.
Besides, where's the proof this pact exists?
Yes, we need these "guys" with us. Think of the force they will be, especially in their stronghold of France.
Proclaim a fast, call an assembly, etc.
I will suggest to my pastor that he could celebrate two particular Votive Masses from the 1962 Missal on all open days allowable (i.e. Ferial Days of the IV Class):
Healing of Schism
Propagation of the Faith
If Oscar Wilde can convert, then the SSPX can be regularized.
I'm usually the last person to be the cynic, the skeptic...but you know, look how many times this same story has been reported this year.
About the half of the SSPX...I would guess the split would be more along a 70-30, with the 70 coming back in the fold.
These splits always seeem to happen in the cases like this. The Russian Orthodox Church Outside of Russia (ROCOR) is going through the same thing as they prepare to re-enter full communion with Moscow. I think the appropriate decisionmakers, like the Holy Father here, will just make allowances for that kind of thing and keep on moving ahead.
Oremus--and hard.
Ping for later.
They're baaaaaack!!!!!
70-30 on the episcopal, clerical, or lay level? Is your guess for North AMerica or world wide?
Good question. I didn't think along specific lines.
By best guess would be thus:
Bishops: 3-1 in favor of return.
Priests: 60-40 in favor.
Laity: 70-30 in favor.
Worldwide: 70-30
North America: 50-50
Europe & All other places: 90-10
If John Kerry had been Pope the schism never would have happened
*They need the Church. They have noting to offer the Church in their present state, suffused as they are with hatreds, heresies, and theological psychopathologies.
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