Declaration of the Pontifical Commission “Ecclesia Dei” about the SSPX and the discussions

WDTPRS ^ | October 27, 2012 | Fr. John Zuhlsdorf

[NYer]

The Pontifical Commission “Ecclesia Dei” takes this occasion to announce that, in its most recent official communication (6 September 2012), the Priestly Fraternity of St. Pius X has indicated that additional time for reflection and study is needed on their part as they prepare their response to the Holy See’s latest initiatives.The current stage in the ongoing discussions between the Holy See and the Priestly Fraternity follows three years of doctrinal and theological dialogues during which a joint commission met eight times to study and discuss, among other matters, some disputed issues in the interpretation of certain documents of Vatican Council II. Once these doctrinal dialogues were concluded, it became possible to proceed to a phase of discussion more directly focused on the greatly desired reconciliation of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Pius X with the See of Peter.

Other critical steps in this positive process of gradual reintegration had already been taken by the Holy See in 2007 with the extension of the Extraordinary Form of the Roman Rite to the Universal Church by the Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum and in 2009 with the lifting of the excommunications. Just a few months ago, a culminating point along this difficult path was reached when, on 13 June 2012, the Pontifical Commission presented to the Priestly Fraternity of St. Pius X a doctrinal declaration together with a proposal for the canonical normalization of its status within the Catholic Church.

At the present time, the Holy See is awaiting the official response of the superiors of the Priestly Fraternity to these two documents. After thirty years of separation, it is understandable that time is needed to absorb the significance of these recent developments. As Our Holy Father Pope Benedict XVI seeks to foster and preserve the unity of the Church by realizing the long hoped-for reconciliation of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Pius X with the See of Peter – a dramatic manifestation of the munus Petrinum in action – patience, serenity, perseverance and trust are needed. [Not to mention prayers.]

[01402-02.01] [Original text: English]

Consider that, just a while ago, the new Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Archbp. Müller, gave an interview during which he used less than optimistic language about the SSPX. Soon after, Archbp. Müller walked that back a bit with more optimistic language. Then the SSPX expelled SSPX Bp. Williamson from their fraternity. He had been making waves contrary to reintegration. Now the Pontifical Commission “Ecclesia Dei” (under the CDF) issues this statement with the indication that the original text is in English.

Benedict XVI is the Pope of Christian unity.

[NYer]

Ping!

[GonzoII]

Well this is good news. I thought they had completely rejected any further discussions with the Vatican.

[NorthernCrunchyCon]

I think there were a couple issues the SSPX needed to resolve first, issues to which I am sympathetic to them:

1) They had one bishop that was absolutely dead set against negotiations and kept stirring up trouble among the laity.

2) Rome originally insisted that all four bishops be reconciled, which put the SSPX in a near impossible position given the intransigence of the bishop mentioned above.

That the Ecclesia Dei Commission released this statement a couple days after the bishop in question, Richard Williamson, was expelled from the SSPX shows that Rome is now willing to accept that a reconciliation likely won’t include Williamson.

[ebb tide]

“Benedict XVI is the Pope of Christian unity.”

You bet he is, Fr. Z! The Pope just sent congratulations to the new “Archbishop” of Canterbury. Welcome to the Big Tent! Come one, come all!