Since when was this not the case?“…notwithstanding anything to the contrary, to concede to all priests for the Jubilee Year the discretion to absolve of the sin of abortion those who have procured it and who, with contrite heart, seek forgiveness for it.”
Normally the local bishop would have to grant a priest specific faculties to absolve a person in this cases. Because abortion is so prevalent in the US most US bishops have given blanket faculty to all the priests who can validly give absolution. I assume it is the case in most western societies where people embrace the murder of children as a societal good.Since when was this not the case?![]()
Abortion, like desecration of the Eucharist, can only be absolved if the priest has been delegated authority to forgive it by a higher authority. They usually have to petition for it, but here in the U.S. almost all bishops have already delegated authority to forgive abortions to all their priests. Now the pope has extended this authority to all priests.Since when was this not the case?![]()
Not all. There are priests outside of the SSPX and their diocese who have not been mentioned.Abortion, like desecration of the Eucharist, can only be absolved if the priest has been delegated authority to forgive it by a higher authority. They usually have to petition for it, but here in the U.S. almost all bishops have already delegated authority to forgive abortions to all their priests. Now the pope has extended this authority to all priests.
The letter says “all priests”. What am I missing?Not all. There are priests outside of the SSPX and their diocese who have not been mentioned.
Nice summary:thumbsup: Thanks for your post. Slowly, slowly …What a huge deal this is.
Within the past year:
1)The Vatican calls the SSPX Catholic and declares so to another government, claiming it’s priests as its own. (Argentina)
2) The Vatican gives Fellay permission to discipline his own Priest.
3) The POPE himself takes the status to “no legitimate ministry” to permission and encouragement for the laity to seek out these priests for a sacrament.
4) The Pope recognizes that people attend these chapels “for whatever reason” indicating that he at least somewhat recognizes valid reasons for doing so.
Now, this is bigger than the MP or the (almost signing) of the infamous document. This is the incremental inclusion of the SSPX into the fold. Marriage will follow because it is obvious Francis is doing this out of concern and the needs of the laity who attend.
The question is not “how will the SSPX respond” The need not respond at all. The Question is how will the anti traditionalist crowd feel about the prodigal son…
This is bigger than we realize today. This is extremely good news!

If that’s the case, I stand corrected, happily I might add.The letter says “all priests”. What am I missing?
Indeed. And a pretty good synopsis on your part. Thanks.What a huge deal this is.
Within the past year:
1)The Vatican calls the SSPX Catholic and declares so to another government, claiming it’s priests as its own. (Argentina)
2) The Vatican gives Fellay permission to discipline his own Priest.
3) The POPE himself takes the status to “no legitimate ministry” to permission and encouragement for the laity to seek out these priests for a sacrament.
4) The Pope recognizes that people attend these chapels “for whatever reason” indicating that he at least somewhat recognizes valid reasons for doing so.
Now, this is bigger than the MP or the (almost signing) of the infamous document. This is the incremental inclusion of the SSPX into the fold. Marriage will follow because it is obvious Francis is doing this out of concern and the needs of the laity who attend.
The question is not “how will the SSPX respond” The need not respond at all. The Question is how will the anti traditionalist crowd feel about the prodigal son…
This is bigger than we realize today. This is extremely good news!
They’d be foolish not to remove such labels immediately, as I see it.Francis showing love and mercy to the SSPX- the group who publicly calls him a Modernist on their official website.
Hopefully they will.They’d be foolish not to remove such labels immediately, as I see it.
I don’t see it as all about the SSPX either. There are hundreds of thousands of souls in need of spiritual help, which the Pope, having studied much philosophy and psychology, is trying to address. He himself has tried to provide his own confessions as an example to everyone, not just the 500 or so FSSPX priests who will be hearing them.I will add that some are calling the SSPX the “prodigal son”. Thing is that the prodigal son repented. The SSPX isn’t only not repenting- they believe that they have something to teach the Church.
They believe they have nothing to repent for.
I agree.I don’t see it as all about the SSPX either. There are hundreds of thousands of souls in need of spiritual help, which the Pope, having studied much philosophy and psychology, is trying to address. He himself has tried to provide his own confessions as an example to everyone, not just the 500 or so FSSPX priests who will be hearing them.
Doesn’t look too good so far. I’m surprised by the “wet blankets.”What a huge deal this is.
Within the past year:
1)The Vatican calls the SSPX Catholic and declares so to another government, claiming it’s priests as its own. (Argentina)
2) The Vatican gives Fellay permission to discipline his own Priest.
3) The POPE himself takes the status to “no legitimate ministry” to permission and encouragement for the laity to seek out these priests for a sacrament.
4) The Pope recognizes that people attend these chapels “for whatever reason” indicating that he at least somewhat recognizes valid reasons for doing so.
Now, this is bigger than the MP or the (almost signing) of the infamous document. This is the incremental inclusion of the SSPX into the fold. Marriage will follow because it is obvious Francis is doing this out of concern and the needs of the laity who attend.
**The question is not “how will the SSPX respond” The need not respond at all. The Question is how will the anti traditionalist crowd feel about the prodigal son… **
This is bigger than we realize today. This is extremely good news!
Many active homosexuals believe they have nothing to repent for either yet the pope is gracious to them too.Hopefully they will.
All I can say is that the Pope is a very permissive fellow.
I will add that some are calling the SSPX the “prodigal son”. Thing is that the prodigal son repented. The SSPX isn’t only not repenting- they believe that they have something to teach the Church.
They believe they have nothing to repent for.
Many are wondering the same and hope that a clarification will be issued about that in the next few days.I agree.
The SSPX may not be aware, but maybe Francis is th best thing that could happen to them.
It seems that if he is allowing for valid Confessions of SSPX priests that he is saying that there is nothing inherently sinful in those faithful attending SSPX masses. Otherwise, how could SSPX forgive SSPX faithful who still intend to attend SSPX masses
You are surprised by them? Are you brand new to the forums SSPX threads?Doesn’t look too good so far. I’m surprised by the “wet blankets.”![]()
Perhaps just perhaps the Vatican and the Pope and indeed the Church herself also believe they have nothing to repent for. I am unaware of a repentance clause in the Document still waiting to be signed. I am unaware of any talk of repentance publicly at all as a condition of returning to full communion. Even the Pope today did not allude to that at all. Is there something you think they should repent for that perhaps the Pope and the Vatican are unaware of.Hopefully they will.
All I can say is that the Pope is a very permissive fellow.
I will add that some are calling the SSPX the “prodigal son”. Thing is that the prodigal son repented. The SSPX isn’t only not repenting- they believe that they have something to teach the Church.
They believe they have nothing to repent for.