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PaulfromIowa
Guest
We should all pray for the reunification of the SSPX and the Catholic Church.
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Luigi_Daniele
Guest
Good. Those who aren’t against us are for us. 
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Louie1983
Guest
Wow…
Hopefully something comes of this.
Hopefully something comes of this.
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ProVobis
Guest
As I pointed out on another thread, there seems to be the immediate issue of the FSSPX priests being able to absolve sins through confession. The current allowance expires in November.
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otjm
Guest
Nothing particularly new. Just a return to the status quo.
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otjm
Guest
Not likely, as it occurred during a lunch; the pope was in one area, the bishop in another, and the pope met publicly and very briefly. Nothing of substance was exchanged; and the requirements which the SSPX have to meet have not changed. Nor has the SSPX position.
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Hoosier_Daddy
Guest
Nope. I think you are thinking of something else. It was a one on one with the pope that lasted 40 minutes at 5 pm…
Here is a link.
wdtprs.com/blog/2016/04/pope-francis-received-sspx-bishop-fellay/
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Hoosier_Daddy
Guest
I seriously doubt the mercy pope who instituted the faculties of confession for the year of mercy will let that mercy expire…
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otjm
Guest
You are right - that was a different meeting; the one I referred to (and the last one I have seen) was the luncheon meeting.
C
commenter
Guest
The best way to evaluate this meeting is to consider it in the context of how the SSPX leadership has been “meeting” the Vatican in public - i. e. the official and unofficial pro SSPX websites.
Since I, and probably most posters here, don’t have private contact with Bishop Fellay, etc, we look at their public statements about the Vatican, and about RC bishops actions as ordinaries. Are SSPX leaders endorsing most actions and communications from the pope, and Vatican departments? Are SSPX leaders, or district or regional superiors, finding common ground, interacting directly with bishops and dioceses on ministries anywhere in the world, on a national level - or diocesan level? Well how about a joint picnic by a chapel with a parish somewhere on the planet? I am not talking about showing up for the March for Life, is there a joint diocesan/SSPX working prolife committee somewhere, or interaction on plans for religious liberty? Is there a joint anything?
I don’t care much about 1 bishop visiting seminaries and saying he likes the SSPX, or pope and bishop picture is hanging in the hallway. How are SSPX leaders and clergy responding to the actions of the current pope and bishops? Suppose a girl comes in to meet her pastor, desperate to get married, but hates 90% of what her intended husband says and does, and has no common activity of any kind with him at present; fearful and suspicious, even. A prudent pastor would say don’t marry him. If the girl says the reason for no common activity is that he hates me, the pastor would say, all the more reason not to marry him.
I think many attached laity and clergy will come in, but it will be on their own, not as part of an organization.
Since I, and probably most posters here, don’t have private contact with Bishop Fellay, etc, we look at their public statements about the Vatican, and about RC bishops actions as ordinaries. Are SSPX leaders endorsing most actions and communications from the pope, and Vatican departments? Are SSPX leaders, or district or regional superiors, finding common ground, interacting directly with bishops and dioceses on ministries anywhere in the world, on a national level - or diocesan level? Well how about a joint picnic by a chapel with a parish somewhere on the planet? I am not talking about showing up for the March for Life, is there a joint diocesan/SSPX working prolife committee somewhere, or interaction on plans for religious liberty? Is there a joint anything?
I don’t care much about 1 bishop visiting seminaries and saying he likes the SSPX, or pope and bishop picture is hanging in the hallway. How are SSPX leaders and clergy responding to the actions of the current pope and bishops? Suppose a girl comes in to meet her pastor, desperate to get married, but hates 90% of what her intended husband says and does, and has no common activity of any kind with him at present; fearful and suspicious, even. A prudent pastor would say don’t marry him. If the girl says the reason for no common activity is that he hates me, the pastor would say, all the more reason not to marry him.
I think many attached laity and clergy will come in, but it will be on their own, not as part of an organization.
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johnnyc176
Guest
I agree. Obviously the Pope acted after seeing the favorable reports of Bishop Schneider and others towards the SSPX and recognizes their good faith and sacramental practice. Imo I also think he believes they will be a strong voice against the liberals much like the African bishops.
C
commenter
Guest
Pope Francis has indeed emphasized mercy, as did St. JP II. Looking at his application of it, including the document this week, has Francis focused on mercy to organizations, reconciling and preserving structures? Or has he been emphasizing the uniqueness of families, calling for a loving but differentiated response, taking into account individual differences?
It seems like he is calling for a personalized response to all kinds of irregular situations. This divorced/remarried couple has somewhat different situation than that couple.
It seems to follow, in this logic, that this SSPX priest or chapel-attached family is different from that SSPX priest or chapel-attached family - different country, different attitudes, different theology, different history with the Church, different strengths, different weaknesses, different this year than last year or next year, different lots of things.
With the Marriage document, his “mercy” certainly is calling for local, flexible pastoral response, rather than one-size-fits-all policy.
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Louie1983
Guest
Pope to extend authority of SSPX priests to hear confessions?
April 11, 2016
Pope Francis plans to extend the authority of priests of the Society of St. Pius X (SSPX) to hear confessions, according to the leader of the traditionalist group.
Last year the Pontiff said that during the Jubilee Year, Catholics who approach the priests of the SSPX “shall validly and licitly receive the absolution of their sins.” That move by the Pope was a significant step toward regularizing the status of the SSPX; since the bishops of the breakaway group are suspended from ministry, SSPX priests did not previously have authority from the Church to absolve sins.
**Bishop Bernard Fellay, the superior of the SSPX, told a French outlet that a recent meeting, the Pontiff told him that he plans to extend the authorization beyond the end of the Jubilee Year. He added that Pope Francis indicated to desire to regularize the SSPX, referring to the traditionalist group as “a part of the Church.” **
catholicculture.org/news/headlines/index.cfm?storyid=28034
April 11, 2016
Pope Francis plans to extend the authority of priests of the Society of St. Pius X (SSPX) to hear confessions, according to the leader of the traditionalist group.
Last year the Pontiff said that during the Jubilee Year, Catholics who approach the priests of the SSPX “shall validly and licitly receive the absolution of their sins.” That move by the Pope was a significant step toward regularizing the status of the SSPX; since the bishops of the breakaway group are suspended from ministry, SSPX priests did not previously have authority from the Church to absolve sins.
**Bishop Bernard Fellay, the superior of the SSPX, told a French outlet that a recent meeting, the Pontiff told him that he plans to extend the authorization beyond the end of the Jubilee Year. He added that Pope Francis indicated to desire to regularize the SSPX, referring to the traditionalist group as “a part of the Church.” **
catholicculture.org/news/headlines/index.cfm?storyid=28034
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otjm
Guest
suspect that Pope Francis wants to see reconciliation with the SSPX as much as Popes Benedict 16, John Paul 2, and Paul 6 wanted it.
I also suspect, just from watching this pontiff, that he really is concerned for the laity who align themselves with the SSPX.
Therefore, it would not be a particular surprise to see that the pontiff extend authorization for reconciliation, as that goes directly the their salvation.
None of which has anything to do with regularization; nothing that Francis has said in any way indicates that there is any less requirement on the part of the SSPX than was outlined by the letter/document which Benedict gave them. Authorization for licit/valid reconciliation - confession - is not an approval of the status of the SSPX; if anything, it is a visible sign of their status of suspension, which flies in the face of their position that “emergency” permits.
Perhaps it will provide some of the SSPX bishops (any of the three) and the priests under them to ponder more carefully and fully their position of suspension.
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ProVobis
Guest
Also from crux, if it’s allowed here.
cruxnow.com/church/2016/04/11/pope-extends-another-olive-branch-to-traditionalist-catholics/
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commenter
Guest
- If the pope admitted the SSPX as an organization into the Church, we don’t really know how many people are there now, with views somewhat less extreme, or outspoken, than Bishop Williamson. I know they have expelled some extremists, and others chose to leave, *after many years. *
- If the pope granted status to the organization, keep in mind there are several other movements, some conservative but some extremely liberal, that are more or less outside the border at the moment. They all claim to be Catholic, though they submit to no pope or bishop, though some claim to admire Francis a lot. They claim the church borders are fluid. All these groups would demand equal status with SSPX. Even if the Church did not grant them the same status as SSPX it would make it easier for them say that if SSPX is “inside” the Church, the borders are more open, so they would proclaim the same status now for themselves. Think of groups that support legal abortion, Same Sex Marriage, etc.
- The leaders of SSPX denounce the pope every day. Denounce bishops too. For the Church to grant organizational status in the Church for SSPX, is an invite to leaders of all religious orders to more explicitly declare their independence.
- No one on the Forum has refuted the current policy: let individual priests come in when they are ready.
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ProVobis
Guest
I know what you’re saying but If the issue is disobedience to their superiors, then yes, I’m sure many could easily claim that level. But their being in alliance with an intrinsically immoral state or group? That’s not equal.
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commenter
Guest
You and I would not see the organizations as equally risky. But others would, and say, a precedent is a precedent. When you open the door for a hopefully harmless kitten, other things might come in, too. Some people want to eliminate the borders altogether, “A Catholic is whoever feels Catholic”.
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Hoosier_Daddy
Guest
After the previous failure of regularization I would have agreed with you that it would be a gradual case by case basis but I seriously doubt that now. Neither side is talking of that type of resolution or regularization. Sspx bishops are expecting this pope to regularize them, the pope has expressed a desire to do so, and the society seems to want to move as a unit.
Although there has been a bishop who gave the sspx permission to say mass in his church. Which I’m confused about if they cannot say mass…
Here is hoping for regularization for those of us who desperately need the sspx to be legitimized. For me, where I am, it would mean access to the ef for many who desire it.
- Status