A Reconciliation with the Followers of Archbishop Lefebvre?

Reports circulated throughout Europe that the followers of Archbishop Lefebvre have been offered a possible "personal prelature" by the Holy See if they accept the five conditions which were set forth for their return to full communionwith Rome.

What are the five conditions?

Praise be to God. Sadly, we’ve had so many reports of the ending of this division, that it is hard to take this seriously. But I pray that it is.

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A Reconciliation with the Followers of Archbishop Lefebvre?
6/24/2008
Catholic Online (www.catholic.org)

Reports are circulating of a possible resolution in the ongoing dialogue between the Holy See and the followers of Archbishop Lefebvre.

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LOS ANGELES (Catholic Online) - Reports circulated throughout Europe that the followers of Archbishop Lefebvre have been offered a possible “personal prelature” by the Holy See if they accept the five conditions which were set forth for their return to full communionwith Rome.

The following report by Andrea Tornielli appeared in the Italian Newspaper, Il Giornale:

“The Ultimatum of the Vatican to Lefebvre’s rebels: Peace, if you accept the Council

In the relations between the Holy See and the Lefebvrians the countdown has begun: by this 28 June, the Fraternity of St. Pius X, founded by the French Archbishop who would not suffer the post-conciliar liturgical reform, will in fact have to decide whether to accept the five conditions proposed by the Vatican in order to reenter into full communion with Rome.

Some days ago, the superior of the Lefebvrians, Bishop Bernard Fellay, met with Cardinal Darío Castrillón Hoyos, president of the Commission Ecclesia Dei, which deals on behalf of Benedict XVI with negotiations with the traditionalist group.

Fellay, who previously had written to the Pope asking for the revocation of the excommunication imposed by John Paul II in 1988 to Lefebvre and the four new bishops that he had wanted to consecrate without the consent of the Holy See (among them Fellay himself), has received a letter with the five points set by the cardinal [Castrillón] and will discuss them during the next chapter of the fraternity, to be held at the end of the month.

Never like at this moment the negotiations have come close to an agreement which would heal the mini-schism which had been created now two decades ago, allowing the full reentering of the Lefebvrians into the Catholic communion. Among the points that the Holy See asked to sign there would be, according to the indiscretions gathered, the acceptance of the II Vatican Council and the declaration of full validity of the Mass according to the reformed liturgy: two conditions that Lefebvre had already signed with the then cardinal Joseph Ratzinger in 1988.

The Vatican, for its part, offers the traditionalist group a canonical framework similar to that of Opus Dei, namely a [personal] “prelature”, which would allow the Fraternity to continue its activities and to train its seminarians.

The march of rapprochement was started in 2000, when the Lefebvrians made a Holy Year pilgrimage to Rome. It was followed by a brief audience granted by Pope Wojtyla to Monsignor Fellay and the beginning of the long and laborious negotiations with Cardinal Castrillón.

Many things have changed since then however. The Lefebvrians asked, before making any step towards an agreement, that the old preconciliar missal, which fell into disuse after the liturgical reform, be liberalised. The new pope, Benedict XVI, particularly sensitive to these issues, a year ago published the Motu proprio declaring the full citizenship of the old Mass allowing it in every parish, in fact stripping the bishop of the possibility of prohibiting it.

The application of the new papal directives has not been easy, there are a lot of cases of resistance - some blatant, as is known - but it is beyond doubt that by declaring the existence of an extraordinary Roman rite (the old one) and an ordinary (the reformed one), the Pope has authorized throughout the Church and without restrictions the celebration of the Tridentine Mass.

Moreover, Ratzinger has reintroduced the Cross at the centre of the altar, has begun to distribute communion to the faithful kneeling, has restored ancient vestments: all signals that go in the direction of emphasizing the continuity of tradition.

Conditions this favourable for a reentering into full communion will in all likelihood not repeat themselves. Many faithful, now that they have obtained the Mass according to the ancient rite, do not understand why the Fraternity does not definitively make peace with Rome.

The Lefebvrians have come to realize what is happening, even if Fellay has some problems of internal resistance. The choice is whether to make an agreement and reenter into full communion with the Holy See, or rather to remain a small separate body with the risk of turning into a little sectarian and uninfluential group.”

(Translated by Gregor Kollmorgen for The New Liturgical Movement).

from NLM:

http://thenewliturgicalmovement.blogspot.com/

Following up on the Tornielli piece regarding a Vatican offer for regualrization to the SSPX on which the NLM reported earlier today, Fr Alain-Marc Nély, second assistant of Bishop Fellay, the superior of the Society of St. Pius X, has confirmed to the Swiss Catholic news agency KIPA (French APIC) that such an offer indeed exists. Here is the relevant part of the KIPA item (see here in German or here in French) in an NLM translation:

Confirmation of the offer, but no indication of the response

Menzingen, 23 June 2008 (Apic) The Vatican has proposed an agreement to the Priestly Society of St. Pius X to end the schism, reported on 23 June 2008 the Italian daily “Il Giornale.” Asked Monday by Apic, Father Alain-Marc Nély, second assistant of Bishop Bernard Fellay, the superior of the Society of St. Pius X in Menzingen (canton of Zug), has indeed confirmed the existence of proposals on the part of the Vatican.

Not wanting to go into further details, Fr Nély, however, confirmed that a proposal of an agreement was made at the beginnig of this month. With conditions. The answer will be given by June 28 “God willing”, and will then be made public, he said. But the number three of the schismatic fraternity did not want to indicate in what direction the response of Bishop Fellay would go.

KIPA/APIC also reports that another news agency, I.MEDIA, has asked the Holy See for confirmation, which has neither confirmed nor denied the information. A sojourn of Bishop Fellay in Rome a fee weeks ago has, however, been confirmed to I.MEDIA, according to KIPA/APIC.

See http://wdtprs.com/blog/2008/06/countdown-accord-between-holy-see-and-sspx/

The very reliable Andrea Tornielli of the Italian daily Il Giornale is reporting that

My translation of the blog post with my emphases and comments.

Countdown: accord between Holy See and SSPX

The countdown has started for an accord between the Society of St. Pius X, founded by the French [archbishop] Marcel Lefebvre, and the Holy See, as I write in Il Giornale today. The Lefebvrites, who asked for the revocation of the excommunication, must respond by 28 June to the proposals presented on behalf of Benedict XVI by Dario Card. Castrillon Hoyos, President of the Pontifical Commission “Ecclesia Dei”. At issue are five points to be signed off on, which once clarified the SSPX can enter again into full communion with Rome. It is an one time offer (irrepetibile): for quite a while the Lefevbrites were asking for the derestriction of the old Missa, and Pope Ratzinger gave full citizenship back to the pre-Conciliar rite with the Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum cura, and the recent “catechesis” coming from Papal Masses, with the recovery of some traditonal elements, can’t be denied. The Society must accept the Second Vatican Council and the full validity of the post-Conciliar liturgical rite (both these points were already accepted by the same [Archbishop] Lefebvre in 1988), and concerning its canonical arrangement, it could be set up as a “prelature”. It is known, however, that there is internal resistance: Bishop Bernard Fellay, Superior of the SSPX, will have to seek to overcome this in the upcoming days, on the occasion of the General Chapter. Now that the old Missal has been derestricted – even though there were many difficulties and noisy disobedience – many faithful traditionalists don’t understand why the SSPX will not enter into an accord with Rome, returning fully into Catholic communion. In all probablity such favorable conditions will not come again.

The longer article in Il Giornale adds that a few days ago Bp. Fellay and some other SSPX members met with Card. Castrillon but doesn’t say much more that new than this brief blog entry.

I would point out that, if this story is accurate in its details, they are talking about perhaps setting up a canonical structure for the SSPX along the lines of what Opus Dei enjoys, a “personal prelature”. Think of a “personal parish” in a diocese, fully a parish but without geographical boundaries, such that it overlaps other territorial parishes, designed for the needs of, say, German speaking immigrants or, as Summorum Pontificum provides for, people who want the older forms of Mass and sacraments. Extend that model out to a “personal diocese”, much like that of the aforementioned Opus Dei or, perhaps, diocesses for military personnel and their families. This would not give absolute autonomy from local bishops, but it would provide great freedom to work and a structure for administration and, most importanly faculties to marry and hear confessions, say Mass licitly, etc.

As I have been saying all along, the issue of the excommunications and the canonical structure are relatively easily resolved. I think they will even be likely to sign off on the affirmation that the Novus Ordo is valid. They aren’t, after all, being told they have to like the Novus Ordo. They won’t be told they have to celebrate it. They just will have to say it is valid.

After that, the theological issues will have to be hammered out. The Council’s document on Religious Liberty and probably on the Church in the Modern World (Gaudium et spes) will provoke tough discussions.

However, I don’t see why those can’t take place over time after an accord. After all, the Church’s teaching on religious liberty is not a dogma of faith like the Holy Trinity or the two natures of Christ.

I am very happy to read about this. I trust that you, together with me, will pray in a special way for the positive outcome of the SSPX General Chapter. I will especially invoke their guardian angels to help them in their deliberations, St. Peter and St. Paul to guide all they do concerning the unity of the Roman Church and the Roman Rite.

• • • • • •

See http://rorate-caeli.blogspot.com/ for what little there is to know.

From Creative Minority Report:

Pope to SSPX: Now or Never?

Andrea Tornielli, the famed Vatican reporter, has a story in Il Giornale statting that the Pope has given the SSPX until June 28th to sign on the dotted line.

The countdown has begun for the agreement between the Fraternity St. Pius X founded by French bishop Marcel Lefebvre and the Holy See, as I write on il Giornale today. The Lefebvrians, who asked for the lifting of the excommunication, will have to respond by June 28 to proposals submitted on behalf of Benedict XVI by Cardinal Darío Castrillón Hoyos, president of the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei. These are five points which have to be signed, and once they have been clarified, the Fraternity will be able to reenter into full communion with Rome. It is a unique opportunity: the Lefebvrians have for a long time demanded the liberalisation of the ancient missal - and Pope Ratzinger with the Motu proprio "Summorum Pontificum cura" has restored full citizenship to pre-conciliar rite - and the "catechesis" which in recent times comes from papal Masses, with the recovery of some traditional elements, is undeniable. The Fraternity must accept the II Vatican Council and the full validity of the post-conciliar liturgical rite (both points were already signed by Monsignor Lefebvre himself in 1988) and as for its [the Fraternity's future] canonical structure, it could be framed as a "prelature". It is known, however, that there is internal resistance: this Bishop Bernard Fellay, the superior of the Lefebvrians, will have to try to overcome in the coming days, during the [Fraternity's] general chapter. Now that the old Mass has been liberalized - albeit with many difficulties and cases of blatant disobedience - many traditionalist faithful do not understand why the Fraternity does not make an agreement with Rome returning fully into Catholic communion. Circumstances so favourable in all likelihood will not come again.

The SSPX has been offered much of this before and turned it down, but if they are waiting for a Pope more favorably disposed toward them, they are beyond foolish. The Pope has restored the Gregorian Rite, he will lift the excommunications, and give them some sort canonical structure. It is time for the SSPX to decide, are you in or are your out. Do you want to be part of the solution or forever on the outside. You know, outside the Church where there is no ... well you know.

I pray that for once, the SSPX does the right thing. If Bishop Williamson and his contumacious comrades scream, let them. Don't let the crazies rule the roost. We are praying for you.

Big Hat tip to NLM

Update: SSPX Confirms offer is on the table!

Update II: Full Translation of the Il Giornale article from NLM (Double Thanks)

In the relations between the Holy See and the Lefebvrians the countdown has begun: by this 28 June, the Fraternity of St. Pius X, founded by the French Archbishop who would not suffer the post-conciliar liturgical reform, will in fact have to decide whether to accept the five conditions proposed by the Vatican in order to reenter into full communion with Rome. Some days ago, the superior of the Lefebvrians, Bishop Bernard Fellay, met with Cardinal Darío Castrillón Hoyos, president of the Commission Ecclesia Dei, which deals on behalf of Benedict XVI with negotiations with the traditionalist group. Fellay, who previously had written to the Pope asking for the revocation of the excommunication imposed by John Paul II in 1988 to Lefebvre and the four new bishops that he had wanted to consecrate without the consent of the Holy See (among them Fellay himself), has received a letter with the five points set by the cardinal [Castrillón] and will discuss them during the next chapter of the fraternity, to be held at the end of the month.

Never like at this moment the negotiations have come close to an agreementwhich would heal the mini-schism which had been created now two decades ago, allowing the full reentering of the Lefebvrians into the Catholic communion. Among the points that the Holy See asked to sign there would be, according to the indiscretions gathered, the acceptance of the II Vatican Council and the declaration of full validity of the Mass according to the reformed liturgy: two conditions that Lefebvre had already signed with the then cardinal Joseph Ratzinger in 1988. The Vatican, for its part, offers the traditionalist group a canonical framework similar to that of Opus Dei, namely a [personal] "prelature", which would allow the Fraternity to continue its activities and to train its seminarians.

The march of rapprochement was started in 2000, when the Lefebvrians made a Holy Year pilgrimage to Rome. It was followed by a brief audience granted by Pope Wojtyla to Monsignor Fellay and the beginning of the long and laborious negotiations with Cardinal Castrillón. Many things have changed since then however. The Lefebvrians asked, before making any step towards an agreement, that the old preconciliar missal, which fell into disuse after the liturgical reform, be liberalised. The new pope, Benedict XVI, particularly sensitive to these issues, a year ago published the Motu proprio declaring the full citizenship of the old Mass allowing it in every parish, in fact stripping the bishop of the possibility of prohibiting it. The application of the new papal directives has not been easy, there are a lot of cases of resistance - some blatant, as is known - but it is beyond doubt that by declaring the existence of an extraordinary Roman rite (the old one) and an ordinary (the reformed one), the Pope has authorized throughout the Church and without restrictions the celebration of the Tridentine Mass. Moreover, Ratzinger has reintroduced the Cross at the centre of the altar, has begun to distribute communion to the faithful kneeling, has restored ancient vestments: all signals that go in the direction of emphasizing the continuity of tradition.

Conditions this favourable for a reentering into full communion will in all likelihood not repeat themselves. Many faithful, now that they have obtained the Mass according to the ancient rite, do not understand why the Fraternity does not definitively make peace with Rome. The Lefebvrians have come to realize what is happening, even if Fellay has some problems of internal resistance. The choice is whether to make an agreement and reenter into full communion with the Holy See, or rather to remain a small separate body with the risk of turning into a little sectarian and uninfluential group.

Do you want to be part of the solution or forever on the outside.

The crux of the problem is that the SSPX does not regard itself as being on the "outside". It regards itself as being on the inside and the Pope and the rest of the Church as having strayed. It regards itself as the true guardian of tradition.

Therein lies the problem.

I would guess the five conditions are something like:

1. Accept the validity of the second Vatican Council
2. Accept the validity of the Novus Ordo
3. New Superior General decided in Concert with Rome (similar to the FSSP agreement of 1988)
4. Accept the reformulation of some of the prayers
5. Put Williamson in a rubber room.

You wrote:

“5. Put Williamson in a rubber room.”

Fine with me. Besides he could probably use the down time to write a magnum opus on why women shouldn’t wear pants.

Sad to say, but the people I know who go to the PX Society will not accept it. They are proud, think they know better than the Pope, and want every Church to conform to their rules.

They are proud

And that IS the problem. There is no longer a rational reason for them to remain separated from Rome. - None!

It is very sad.

I doubt this story is entirely correct. I don’t see Pope Benedict giving a “countdown” and some final date like this.

Fine with me. Besides he could probably use the down time to write a magnum opus on why women shouldn’t wear pants.

Why would he need to? Isn't it already in Scripture along with the whole women-should-cover-their-heads thing?