Society of Pius X Responds Positively to Overture From the Vatican

By Deacon Keith Fournier
4/20/2012
Catholic Online (www.catholic.org)

Today more than ever, with Joseph Ratzinger as pope, the ecumenical journey seems not a pursuit of modernity, but a return to the terrain of tradition

Pope Benedict's 'Impelling Duty' is to rebuild the full and visible unity of this Church. It will be forged through orthodoxy (right teaching) and orthopraxy (right practice) - but it will be lived within a legitimate diversity of expression within the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church. That is the context within which this happy news of a possible restored communion with the SSPX should be received. It is a sign of the coming full communion of the One, Holy, Catholic and Apostolic Church.

Bishop Bernard Fellay and members of the SSPX in Procession

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VATICAN CITY (Catholic Online) - One day after the celebration of the 85th birthday of the Pope of Christian unity, on the week commemorating seven years of his pontificate, an amazing turn of events may have finally occurred. The rumors have been rampant. However, they they have received mixed reviews from Vatican observers. They have also prompted rampant speculation.

However, on Tuesday, April 17, 2012, the reliable Andrea Tornielli reported that the doctrinal preamble issued by the Vatican has been signed by Bishop Bernard Fellay, the superior of the Society of St. Pius X. The report further indicates there were some minor revisions which should not preclude the long hoped for return to full communion for the SSPX.

What a birthday gift this would be for the Pope of Christian unity. On April 20, 2005, a newly elected Pope Benedict XVI gave his first message at the end of a Mass he had concelebrated with the members of the College of Cardinals in the Sistine Chapel. He signaled his mission:

"Nourished and sustained by the Eucharist, Catholics cannot but feel encouraged to strive for the full unity for which Christ expressed so ardent a hope in the Upper Room. The Successor of Peter knows that he must make himself especially responsible for his Divine Master's supreme aspiration. Indeed, he is entrusted with the task of strengthening his brethren (cf. Luke 22: 32)".

"With full awareness, therefore, at the beginning of his ministry in the Church of Rome which Peter bathed in his blood, Peter's current Successor takes on as his primary task the duty to work tirelessly to rebuild the full and visible unity of all Christ's followers. This is his ambition, his impelling duty."

According to Andrea Tornielli of the Vatican Insider, reported in a story translated by my favorite source for these vital issues, the ever reliable Rorate Caeli , "The text of the preamble, with the modifications proposed by Fellay, and signed by him as Superior of the Society of Saint Pius X, will be presented to Benedict XVI, who, on the day following his 85th birthday and on the even of the seventh anniversary of his election, receives a positive response from the Lefebvrists."

"A response long expected and desired by him, who, in the next few weeks, will put an end to the wound opened in 1988 with the illegitimate episcopal ordinations celebrated by Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre."

"It is not ruled out that Fellay's response be examined by the Cardinals of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, in the next "Feria Quarta" [Wednesday] meeting, which should take place in the first half of May. Meanwhile, some further weeks will be needed so that a canonical arrangement can be established."

"The most probable proposal is that of establishing a "personal prelature", a legal figure introduced in the Code of Canon Law in 1983 and up to now used only by Opus Dei. The prelate depends directly of the Holy See. The Society of Saint Pius X will continue to celebrate Mass according to the ancient Missal, and to form its priests in its seminaries."

This is the same Pope who issued Motu Propio, on his own authority, the historic Apostlic Constitution establishing Anglican ordinariates for former Anglicans seeking to come into full communion within the Catholic Church. Within these Catholic Ordinariates of former Anglicans, elements of the Anglican liturgy are preserved and the Anglican patrimony is respected and preserved as a gift for the whole Church.

Another excellent European journalist, Sandro Magister, in a 2009 article entitled "Knock, and It Shall Be Opened to You. As Long As It's According to Tradition" helps us understand the pastoral strategy of Pope Benedict XVI in his apostolic work of restoring the full communion of the Catholic Church. He noted that "Today more than ever, with Joseph Ratzinger as pope, the ecumenical journey seems not a pursuit of modernity, but a return to the terrain of tradition."

This Pope of Christian unity is a proponent of legitimate diversity within Orthodoxy (right doctrine) and Orthopraxy (right practice). A Wall Street Journal article written by Stacy Meichtry in 2009 was originally entitled "The Great Unifier?" but is now entitled "For the Vatican, New Resolve to Expand the Catholic Fold" Why the name was changed I do not know.

It prompted a comment in an article I wrote back then, "Though worth reading, it is the Title which will endure. The question mark will fall away as this historic moment unfolds over the coming years. Pope Benedict XVI is ...

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Lonny D'Agostini
2 months ago
On Vatican II and the Kingdom of the Divine Will

(Ephesians 1:9) "That he might make known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure, which he hath purposed in him"

The Second Vatican Council was called to prepare the Church for arrival of the Kingdom of the Divine Will: the call of the creature to the order, the place and the purpose for which he was created by God. However, in order to usher in this new epoch a new and deeper understanding of how God wants to be present in man was required. As Luisa writes, (Libro di Cielo) "Continuing in my poor state, I just barely saw blessed Jesus, who seemed to transform all of Himself into me, in such a way that if I breathed, I could feel His breathing in mine; if I moved one arm, I could feel Him move His arm within mine, and so with all the rest. While He was doing this, He told me: "My beloved daughter, see in what a close union I am with you; this is how I want you to be – completely united and clasped to Me. And do not think that you must do this only when you suffer or pray, but rather, always - always".

Before the fall, there was no need of temples, altars or tabernacles. God dwelled in man as in a living host. Just as the creation served as a habitation for man, man was to serve as a habitation for God. The ancient practice of building temples in order to house the Divinity was pedagogical and preparatory of something greater and more intimate. God did not simply wish to dwell in the midst of His people (the temple at Jerusalem), but also within His people as He had in the beginning. Of course, Israel did not understand this. Even most Christians today do not.

We could say that after the fall, God dwelled 'in the midst of man'. At the Incarnation, God dwelled 'with man' and after Holy Pentecost He began to dwell 'in man'. At the completion of the third fiat man will dwell completely 'in God'.

What precisely do we mean by dwelling completely in God? If Jesus can form His Real Life in the accidents of bread and wine then why can't He also form it in us? Of course, always keeping in mind the distinction between our human person and the Divine Person of Jesus. The reason why the Holy Eucharistic was established in the first place was because man wasn't capable of receiving Him in this manner, (Libro di Cielo) "No, no, it is not mystical Life, as for those who possess my Grace but do not live with their acts identified within my Volition - they do not have sufficient material to form the accidents in order to imprison Me...why do I live in the host in Body, Blood, Soul and Divinity? Because there is not a will that opposes Mine. If I found in the host a will opposed to Mine, I would form neither real nor perennial Life in it. This is also the reason why the sacramental accidents are consumed when creatures receive Me - because I do not find a human will united with Me in such a way as to want to lose its will in order to acquire Mine, but I find a will that wants to act, that wants do things on its own. So I make my little visit, and I leave...by wasting time you come to hamper my real Life, which I am forming in you.”

Unfortunately, the traditionalists emphasize so strongly the Real Presence of Jesus Christ in the Eucharist to the detriment of the fulfillment of His Real Life in the souls of the baptized. As Blessed Anne Emmerich writes, "I met an old woman, so old that one might think she had lived at the birth of Christ. She was so tightly enveloped in a black robe from head to foot that she could hardly walk. She begged my aid and accepted also some alms and clothing; but she persisted in hiding something from me of which, however, I had an instinctive knowledge and which had chiefly attracted me to her. It was an infant which she kept concealed under her mantle as if she were ashamed of it, or feared that I would deprive her of it. She seemed to own nothing but this child, to live for it alone, and she hid it as if she had stolen it; but she had to give it up to me. Ah! it was pitiful to see how tightly and painfully it was swathed; it could not move a limb. I loosened some bandages which were injuring its health, bathed it and wanted to take charge of it, to which however the old woman would not consent...The poor, feeble creature is proud of her origin and the perfect preservation of the customs of the primitive Church among her people...She really means nothing bad, but she has become horribly stubborn and ignorant... hardened in her self-will.”

The modernists, on the other hand, (like the Protestants) presume so strongly Jesus' presence within them - as if their complete sanctification was a fact accomplished - to the neglect of His Real Presence in the Holy Eucharist. This led to horrible irreverences and sacrileges, (September 12, 1920), "I saw a fantastic, odd-looking church being built...I saw no angel helping in the construction...Nothing was brought from above; all came from the earth and the dark regions...All in this church belonged to the earth, returned to the earth; all was dead, the work of human skill, a church of the latest style, a church of man's invention...The whole picture was colored with intense selfishness, presumption and violence. I saw not a single angel or saint helping in the work."

As one can see from the above passages it is possible for a Catholic to go astray either way. In order to avoid such deviations we need to be humble and obedient to the Holy Father. Remembering the words of St. Ambrose, "Where Peter is there is the Church." We also need to see the Catholic Church as she truly is, as a living entity which must continue to develop until she reaches her full stature. Such growth excludes the unyielding stagnation of the traditionalists as well as the whimsical innovations of the liberals.

After our Lord instituted the Last Supper the apostles brought this Holy Sacrifice to the different parts of the Roman Empire and beyond. However, each of the apostles left behind a slightly different liturgy. While they were all substantially the same there were minor variations in the accidents. As communication between the local churches improved and the papacy began to play a more active role in universal governance, a gradual process of liturgical standardization took place. We could say that this culminated in the Tridentine form of the Mass which became the universal and definitive form of the Latin rite. (The Eastern Churches who had separated themselves from Rome basically kept their traditional liturgies.) Over the years many beautiful and symbolic embellishments were added to the Tridentine liturgy. However, after several centuries these embellishments began to turn into encrustments which obscured the most important part of the Holy Sacrifice. The Tridentine form was regularly updated until Pope Paul VI introduced the Novus Ordo Mass. In the Pope’s own words, he wanted to restore what he called, "a noble simplicity" to the liturgy.

Unfortunately, some of the liturgical changes that were introduced after Vatican II were done rather hurriedly and thoughtlessly - especially for a Church which normally takes time to decide things. Although the substance of the new Mass was never affected (transubstantiation) some of accidents greatly suffered (i.e. disciplines, postures, music, art, architecture, etc.) and with it the dignity of the liturgy. In some cases, accidental abuses (illicitness) gave way to substantial abuses (invalidity).

Now as far as the future liturgy is concerned, it is unlikely that the next Pope will return the Church to the former Tridentine form (restoration), but instead will allow the Novus Ordo and the Tridentine forms to co-exist together (parallelism) - eventually taking the best of both and combining them into one (synthesis). The notion that the SSPX (Society of Pope Pius X) are "a tiny remnant" in a sea of liturgical apostasy is not entirely true but a flawed and bloated self-perception they have of themselves.

As one person put it, "In Medjugorje...you will find the truths that have been suppressed by the traditionalists and the liberals."

St. Hannibale di Francia wrote, "With this new Science, in order to form Saints who surpass the ones of the past, it is important that the new Saints possess all the virtues to a heroic degree, just as did the saints of old..." Whereas the liberals thought that they could dispense with all these lesser form of holiness, the traditionalists insisted that they could never go beyond them.

In conclusion, it is not simply a matter of Jesus wanting to form His Real Life in the Holy Eucharist, He also wants to form It in us as well. Both types of indwelling are necessary for the complete glory of God, (Libro Di Cielo) "{Jesus:} churches are few and many will be destroyed; many times I find no priests who may consecrate Me; other times they allow unworthy souls to receive Me, and worthy souls not to receive Me; others are unable to receive Me; so, my love finds itself hindered. This is why I want to make the sanctity of living in my Will; in them, I will have no need of priests for Me to be consecrated, nor churches, tabernacles or hosts; but they will be everything together: priests, churches, tabernacles and hosts. My love will be more free; anytime I want to consecrate Myself, I will be able to do it - in every moment, day and night, in whatever place they might be." and "the Sacraments came out of my Will like many little fountains... but in spite of this [creatures] do not appear to be sanctified...for one who lives in my Will...possesses the source of all the Sacraments and feels within herself the nature of the Sacraments with all the effects and goods they contain...And as she receives [the Sacraments] from the Church, she will feel that it is food which she possesses, but which she takes in order to give complete glory to those Sacraments."

Let us recall what God told the former Jewish exiles as they began reconstruction on the house of the Lord, (Aggeus 1:4,10) "Who is left among you, that saw this house in its first glory? And how do you see it now? Is it not in comparison to that as nothing in your eyes?...For thus saith the Lord of hosts...Yet one little while, and I will move the heaven and the earth...I will move all nations: and the desired of all nations shall come: and I will fill this house with glory saith the Lord of hosts. Great shall be the glory of this last house more than of the first, saith the Lord of hosts: and in this place I will give peace." While it is clear that the Catholic Church has lost her former Tridentine glory, we must not attempt to cling to the past with its sentimental nostalgia. The Church of the coming triumph shall be restored along with Her liturgy, not to the former glory of the past, but a greater one - in preparation for the final Fiat, (Libro Di Cielo) "when my love will make arise the Era of my Will - the new Era of maximum benefit for creatures - then will the seas and rivers of my Volition overflow; and as their gigantic waves rise...no longer hiddenly; rather, Its roaring waves will make themselves seen by everyone and will touch everyone."

(Sophonias 3:9) "then I will restore to the people a chosen lip [one language], that all may call upon the name of the Lord and may serve him with one shoulder".

[Those who are interested in knowing more about the Divine Will can consult the works of Fr. Joseph Iannuzzi and Thomas Fahy - two leading expounders of Luisa Piccarreta's spirituality.]
Jim Pastorius
1 year ago
Unity?? Does this mean the Church gives up the principles of Vatican Council II just so we can claim unity?? The SSPX has not renounced their anti- Semitism. The fundamental Council document '" Lumen gentium" states, "Since Christians and Jews have such a common spiritual heritage, this sacred council wishes to encourage and further mutual understanding and appreciation. This can be achieved, especially, by way of biblican and theological enquiry and through friendly discussions.
"Even thourh the Jewish authorities and those who followed their lead pressed for the death of Christ, neither all Jews indiscriminatelyh at that time, nor Jews today, can be charged with the crimes committed during his passion. It is true that th church is the new people of God, yet the Jews should not be spoken of as rejected or accursed as if this followed from holy scripture. Consequently, all must take care, lest in catechizing or in preaching the word of God, they teach anything which is not in accord with the truth of the Gospel message or the spirit of Christ.
"Indeed, the church reproves every form of persecution against whomsoever it may be directed. Remembering, then, its common heritage with the Jews and moved not by any political consideration, but solely by the reliqious motivation of christian chariity, it deplores all hatreds, persecutions, displays of anti-semitism levelled at any time or from any source against the Jews." - Nostra Aetate, 28 October 1965
Bulbajer
1 year ago
Brian A Cook, I agree. Unity is a good thing, but we need to be aware of just what groups like SSPX believes. I have a feeling that many Catholics would not be so nearly enthusiastic about unity talks with liberational theologists.
Patrick Tobin
1 year ago
I am as pleased by the report suggesting that the Society of Pope saint Pius X may be on the point of ending its unfortunate schism on terms which will allow it to keep its own liturgical and
other traditions.

Of course I have no time whatsoever for holocaust denial. However, I have to accept that belief in the reality of the Holocaust of about six million Jews is not an article of faith.

As for the offer to the Anglicans i am absolutely delighted that they have been offered a path to Rome which will allow them to retain their medieval Anglican liturgy and other great traditions which they have preserved almost unchanged for so long and are now in a position to share it with us Roman Catholics as part of the patrimony of Christendom in England and Wales.

Deo Gratias!
henry edmond
1 year ago
may they all be one father,may they be one like us...jesus prayed.God bless the vicar as he work towards the realisation of this prayers
michael
1 year ago
Excellent article, deacon Keith...we should all be thankful to Pope Benedict XVI for his great maturity and fortitude. This was not easy...the opposition the pope faced and still faces in beyond our imagining. Pray that this act of reconciliation will be fully brought to completion. Two things, however, should be mentioned. First. according to reports over the past few years, the doctrinal discussions demonstrated that the SSPX is completely united doctrinally speaking, but that the Vatican theologians assigned to these talks, were often in open disagreement with each other. Second point...these doctrinal discussions were, for some strange reason, completely done in secret. Why? If these discussions had to do with the Faith Itself, then every one should come to know the issues and the agreements and disagreements. There are many questions about the recent council and post-conciliar writings that need to be answered. The SSPX accepts 95% of the council, but has troubles with questions surrounding religious liberty, ecumenism, the oneness of the Church, and collegiality. These are questions that many, many Catholics struggle with. We need answers or at least direction. Again, why is this being done in secret when the Faith itself is involved?
Louis Tofari
1 year ago
The SSPX are not "Lefebvrians": they are simply Roman Catholics following what the Church has always taught and practiced (i.e., Catholic Tradition).
Reys'
1 year ago
This is pure dualism. The meshing of good (God) with evil (Satan). Typical Vatican II nonsense. Mother Mary-Ora pro nobis!
Michelle
1 year ago
Thanks be to God!
abey
1 year ago
Let this reunion be to the name of that great one, Pius the 10th, the Pope unto the Saint in the Christ, blessed of God most High, love of Mary. When ever Christ Jesus is talked in terms of the upper room it refers to the words "In the Council of Christ" to one of the name as The Mighty Councillor..

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