Roman Curia allows Bishop Fellay FSSPX, to bring into full communion an Orthodox priest.

[JReducation]

I think that people are confusing apples and tomatoes just because they’re red. Both sides may be mistaken. Let’s look at the report.

1. The is an Orthodox priest who has rejected his schismatic relationship with the Catholic Church.
2. Whether he does this before Pope Benedict XVI or before Bishop Fellay, it is his profession of faith, not that of Bishop Fellay. The profession of faith can stand.
3. It does not say that he entered the Society of St. Pius X. It says the he is at a Benedictine abbey and makes it sound as if that’s where me may remain. The Benedictine abbey is not in an irregular relationship with the Vatican, even if it’s SSPX friendly. The abbot is free to grant him faculties once his profession of faith is accepted by the Church. Abbots and bishops cannot grant faculties to members of the SSPX, not those who are SSPX friendly, but in good standing with the Vatican.
4. Since he was a prelate in the Orthodox Church, the Catholic Church respects that, because we have communion in sacris. He is given an equivalent status in the Latin Church. No big deal there either.

Now, let’s look at the sister’s case.

Same thing. She did not join the SSPX. She entered a religious community that is associated with the SSPX. They even have their own canonical name. It is quite likely that they have canonical status.

Second, it is absolutely necessary for any religious who wishes to transfer from one religious institute to another to get the following:

a. Permission to leave his or her institute

b. Admission from the superior of the institute to which he or she applies

c. Approval of the Holy See

The Holy See can give approval to transfer to any institute within the Catholic Church that is in full communion with the Church, regardless of who their friends are.

OK, not always. If they were friendly with Bin Ladin before he died, the Holy See may have a few questions.

In this case, the Holy See has always referred to the SSPX as Lefebvrists, not as heretics, anarchists, schismatics, apostates and other words that most of us can’t spell. The schismatic actions have been attributed to the SSPX, not to their friends. As long as their friends don’t engage in those behaviors, they maintain their canonical status in the Church.

The Church does not have to like your friends to approve of you. The Church is like any mother. You’re you and your friends are who they are.

We tend to think that every group that is friendly toward the SSPX behaves the same way or is in the same canonical mess. That’s not the case. Look at the Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer. They are still friendly toward the SSPX, but they finally received all of their canonical privileges and rights. They don’t have to break off the friendship.

For those who are looking for some official document to appear on an official ecclesiastical site, you’re looking for a needle in a haystack. The policy of religious orders is that neither bishops nor laymen have access to their files. Only the Holy See has access to those. Even the members of the community do not have access to them. These transfers, professions and admissions are signed by the major superior, two witnesses and then given to the archivist who locks them away forever. I can ask for my file, but not for someone else’s.

This information need not be revealed unless the major superior or the Holy See feels that it’s necessary. Remember the Fr. Corapi case. The major superior said just enough, but not too much. Whatever a major superior reveals is up to him or her.

We should stop speculating.

DISCLAIMER: I’m basing my statements assuming that everything that has been said is accurate.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[Sirach2]

Thank you Brother, but I need to ask a question with regard to what you said about “The policy of religious orders is that neither bishops nor laymen have access to their files.”

How then would an ordinary blog author have intimate details of the material posted in the OP? And why post it when it cannot be verified? Who would believe it?

 

[choliks]

Thank you Brother, but I need to ask a question with regard to what you said about “The policy of religious orders is that neither bishops nor laymen have access to their files.”

How then would an ordinary blog author have intimate details of the material posted in the OP? And why post it when it cannot be verified? Who would believe it?

I know you directed the question to Bro. JR but if i may…

while the paperwork was private, i believe the physical reception or the prelate may not be behind closed doors.

 

[JReducation]

Thank you Brother, but I need to ask a question with regard to what you said about “The policy of religious orders is that neither bishops nor laymen have access to their files.”

How then would an ordinary blog author have intimate details of the material posted in the OP? And why post it when it cannot be verified? Who would believe it?

The SSPX functions very differently from any other organization with which I’m familiar. What I’ve noticed is that they share an awful lot of what’s happening internally with the faithful. My guess is that’s how the blogger(s) get their info.

Most communities may share about cup coming events, new apostolates, celebrations, missions, etc, The SSPX seems to have looser rules. That’s their call to make, unless the Holy See orders them to be quiet.

Remember, my answer is good only if the information is good. If the information is not complete or untrue, my answer is as valid as a $3.00 bill.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[Sirach2]

One more question, if I may …

The Benedictine Monastery in Bellaiague is on the SSPX website, and appears to be under the auspices of SSPX. The name “Benedictine” suggests to an ordinary reader like Brother JR that there is communion with the Holy See, yet this article seems to say otherwise. Am I missing something?

sspx.org/news/bellaigue_4-26-2011/a_new_prior_at_bellaigue.htm

 

[JReducation]

While he’s been accepted, does he have faculties recognized by the Vatican? AFAIK bishops and priests of SSPX, while not in schism, do not have faculties.

From the little that has been said, it sounds like he’s entering the Benedictine abbey. In that case, it would be the abbot who would grant the faculties for in-house and the diocesan bishop for the faithful. This is assuming the that the abbey is in good standing with the Church.

I just went back and read the first post, there is one thing that is strangely worded. It says that Cardinal Levada gave him a title. Ecclesiastical titles are given by the Holy Father or by the diocesan bishop. Cardinal Levada is a Prefect, not an Ordinary. Either the blogger made a mistake or his information is faulty.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[Sirach2]

You were posting to NewEnglandPries and may have missed my interim question, Brother JR. I hope you are still here to take a quick look at it.

 

[JReducation]

One more question, if I may …

The Benedictine Monastery in Bellaiague is on the SSPX website, and appears to be under the auspices of SSPX. The name “Benedictine” suggests to an ordinary reader like Brother JR that there is communion with the Holy See, yet this article seems to say otherwise. Am I missing something?

sspx.org/news/bellaigue_4-26-2011/a_new_prior_at_bellaigue.htm

My disclaimer holds. The abbey seems to be out of communion with the Holy See. It’s election was presided by an SSPX bishop. Monastic elections must be presided over by the Ordinary of the diocese. Also, it said that Bishop Fellay ordained one of the monks.

In light of this information about the abbey, it looks like our Orthodox convert may have jumped from the frying pan into the fire, unless the Holy See makes some exception for him. I find that hard to believe if he joins either the SSPX or an abbey that is under the jurisdiction of an SSPX bishop.

SSPX bishops have no canonical authority to ratify elections of a monastic house. You must be an Ordinary. Even the auxiliary of a diocese cannot do so, without the permission of the Ordinary.

If this were a exempt community such as Franciscans, Dominicans, Augustinians, Carmelites or Jesuits, no bishop has to preside over their election or ratify it. But a monastic house is not exempt. If it asks an SSPX bishop to ordain its monks and preside at its chapter, it puts itself outside of communion and in an irregular situation.

Something is not right about this story. Either too much has been added or too much is left out. It’s better not to speculate what is missing or what is overstated.

Given what this site says about this monastery, my previous post is as good as a $3.00 bill.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[Sirach2]

Many thanks, Brother JR. I appreciate your insight.

 

[JReducation]

I would add that these monks are more than friendly with the SSPX. They are in violation of the Rule of St. Benedict. The rule explicitly commands unquestioning obedience to the local diocesan bishop and requires that the election of the abbot be overseen by the bishop of the diocese. Monks can only be ordained by bishops who have the authority to ordain.

What a mess!

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[MarkThompson]

I would add that these monks are more than friendly with the SSPX. They are in violation of the Rule of St. Benedict. The rule explicitly commands unquestioning obedience to the local diocesan bishop and requires that the election of the abbot be overseen by the bishop of the diocese. Monks can only be ordained by bishops who have the authority to ordain.

What a mess!

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

Oh, didn’t you know, Brother? When there is a cris-mergency in the Church . . .

http://ia.media-imdb.com/images/M/MV5BMTc0Mzk4Nzg3M15BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwNzQ2NzAzMQ@@._V1.SY317_CR6,0,214,317.jpg

 

[JReducation]

Oh, didn’t you know, Brother? When there is a cris-mergency in the Church . . .

http://ia.media-imdb.com/images/M/MV5BMTc0Mzk4Nzg3M15BMl5BanBnXkFtZTcwNzQ2NzAzMQ@@._V1.SY317_CR6,0,214,317.jpg

I have no idea of what “cris mergency” means. But an Orthodox priest who is received into the Church and then joins a community that is not in good standing with the Holy See has bought himself more trouble than he had before.

It’s not that these monks are horrible sinners, neither are the SSPX priests. It’s that while he was an Orthodox priest he had valid and licit faculties. If he is truly an SSPX priest or has joined this monastery, he has no faculties in the Latin Church or the Orthodox Church from whence he came unless, as I said, there is something missing in the story.

I still find it odd that it would be the Cardinal and not the pope who would give him a title. I wonder if the blogger got that right or did it really happen? I guess it can, as long as the pope approves. As long as the pope approves you can walk on your head, if you can grow feet up above.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[TrueLight]

Brother Jay,

Thank you for your informative and neutral responses on this thread.

TL

 

[JReducation]

Brother Jay,

Thank you for your informative and neutral responses on this thread.

TL

You’re welcome.

Here’s my feeling. I have nothing to gain be defending or throwing stones at the SSPX and their friends. At the end of the day, they are not my problem to solve. I take my cue from Pope Benedict. He has left the SSPX in the hands of Cardinal Levada, his successor. This is not unusual. Pope John Paul also put many things on Cardinal Ratzinger’s desk and said, “Here’s a problem. Solve it or you get no more German chocolate.”

I guess Pope Benedict now says to Cardinal Levada, “Here’s the SSPX’s problem. Solve it or you get no more hot dogs” since Cardinal Levada is an American.

In any case, I’m not going to get a hot dog for solving the SSPX’s problems nor am I going to be deprived a hot dog for not solving the Society’s problems, because my contact with the society is limited to my SSPX priest friend whom I affectionately call, Fr. Calvin. Calvin is not his name and I ain’t telling. But he gets a big kick when I call him that. Of course, I do it when the laity and the other SSPX priest that lives with him are not around. The other guy is a stick in the mud and the laity at that chapel are a little stuffy. But Fr. Calvin is cool. He’s a great chess player too.

But I digress, since my real problem is what to do with 184 expectant fathers who are considering abortions, with 16 terminally ill patients who are threatened with euthanasia by their own family and with a 400 bed hospital that has all kinds of sick people and there are only 11 of us here, not counting postulants and novices, these issues are the least of my concerns.

Anyone who makes these reports a concern in their life must be looking for something to do… How would you like to feed some sick people at a hospital or spend the night with a dying person and his family? You can spend the night with me under a bridge. I go there on Thursday nights. Trust me, you meet many more interesting people and hear many more interesting stories that this one.

Oh, but you have to bring your own blanket and your own apples. I only get one apple to take with me for the night. Being diabetic, I need to eat. Sowwy.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[ConstantineTG]

Solve it or you get no more German chocolate."

I guess Pope Benedict now says to Cardinal Levada, “Here’s the SSPX’s problem. Solve it or you get no more hot dogs” since Cardinal Levada is an American.

I though being German he would be denied beer.

And for Cardinal Levada, Pope Benedict would say, “solve it or I’ll make you drink American beer!”

 

[Friar_David_O.Carm]

If this were a exempt community such as Franciscans, Dominicans, Augustinians, Carmelites or Jesuits, no bishop has to preside over their election or ratify it. But a monastic house is not exempt. If it asks an SSPX bishop to ordain its monks and preside at its chapter, it puts itself outside of communion and in an irregular situation.

I do not know how the others handle this but for us Carmelites our elections (prior provincials) need to be ratified by the prior general. The prior general’s election needs to be ratified by the pope.

So even if there was a Carmelite community under the auspices of the SSPX the prior provincial would need to be ratified by the prior general if they were in communion. The prior of the house would be appointed by the appropriate superior (prior provinical under a province, prior general if under the generalate).

 

[Old_Salt]

Uh oh, the status quo CAF mantra re: the society doesn’t seem to be holding up these days. I can’t say I’m surprised - the minute I read this I knew I’d have to come here to witness the uncomfortable squirming.

Old Salt, you can’t win - buckets of bloody chum seem to follow you no matter what!

Anyway, wonderful news. Deo gratias!

Wherever I go there is resistance.
Here, Fisheaters.
Oh well its the way it goes.
yes, this is wonderful news!

 

[JReducation]

I do not know how the others handle this but for us Carmelites our elections (prior provincials) need to be ratified by the prior general. The prior general’s election needs to be ratified by the pope.

So even if there was a Carmelite community under the auspices of the SSPX the prior provincial would need to be ratified by the prior general if they were in communion. The prior of the house would be appointed by the appropriate superior (prior provinical under a province, prior general if under the generalate).

It is the universal regulation for all of the exempt orders. Bishops are not allowed to preside at our elections or to have any influence in them. In the exempt orders the major superior presides at the chapter. The General Superior ratifies elections of Provincial Superiors and the election of the General Superior must be ratified by the Holy Father.

In the case of autonomous abbeys and monasteries, they don’t have superiors general. The abbot is the highest ranking superior. The election of the abbot must be presided over by the bishop of the dioceses that hosts the abbey. That information has to be sent to the Holy See. All ordinations of any monk in the abbey must be performed by a bishop who has canonical authority to ordain.

Faculties to the monks come in two ways.

The abbot grants faculties to the monks for internal use. That is, he can hear the confessions of those who live in the house and he can preach to those who live in the house.

Only the local diocesan bishop can grant any priest (religious or secular) faculties to hear the confessions of the lay faithful or any other person who does not live in the religious house. The lay faithful are the pastoral responsibility of the diocesan bishop.

A lay person who stops by the monastery for mass and confession, can not go to confession to one of these monks, because the monks does not have faculties to hear his confession.

I’m not a Canon Lawyer, but my guess is that some Canon Lawyers would find the validity of this election of this abbot to be questionable, because Bishop Fellay does not have any canonical status in the Church. How can he ratify the election of an abbot?

Obviously the monks whom he ordained are suspended. You cannot accept ordination from a bishop who does not have the authority to ordain. The abbot has the authority to grant any bishop permission to ordain his men, as long as that bishop has canonical status. He must be an Ordinary, an auxiliary or a retired bishop.

If this priest has entered the Catholic Church and joined a group that is not in full communion with the Holy See, he cannot get faculties through them. On the other hand, if he enters the Catholic Church, making his statement of profession to Bishop Fellay and then goes down the street to the local diocesan bishop, that’s another story. The local diocesan bishop can grant him faculties. He’s just another Catholic priest at that point.

This is not good news, if it causes more complications than it helps.

While the man was an Orthodox, he was not excommunicated, because Pope Paul lifted the excommunications against the Orthodox. He as not Anathemized. Pope Paul lifted those too. He had valid orders and licit faculties, because the Orthodox Patriarch can grant those.

Now, the Orthodox have to suspend him and if he joins the SSPX or these Benedictines, he is suspended in the Catholic Church to. Only the Holy Father can make an exception for him.

As I always say, the Pope is the Living Law. He can bend, abrogate, dispense with, dismiss and ignore canon law and there is no one to appeal to above him. If the Holy Father says this is OK for this individual, who are we to argue. But no one seems to know if this is the case.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF

 

[MikeDunphy]

Wherever I go there is resistance.
Here, Fisheaters.
Oh well its the way it goes.
yes, this is wonderful news!

It is wonderful news, if true.

I noticed that on Rorate Caeli, last night and this morning, the story was removed, and it all says currently is:The content of the third news item is being verified for additional details. Thank you.

 

[JReducation]

It is wonderful news, if true.

I noticed that on Rorate Caeli, last night and this morning, the story was removed, and it all says currently is:The content of the third news item is being verified for additional details. Thank you.

That’s honest on their part. Three cheers for them.

If everything is as it should be, with all of the proper permissions from the Holy See or the local bishop . . . this is wonderful news. It means that we have another priest in good standing with the Church.

If things were not done as per the law . . . it’s not so wonderful. It’s just another priest whose situation has to be fixed. That’s not helpful to him or the the people of God.

It is fixable. He can join a diocese or a religious community in full standing with the Holy See and with its order. If he wants to be a secular priest he can join either the FSSP or the ICKSP.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, OSF