Would the SSPX and the FSSP reunite after the reconciliation?

[Mike30]

I would be extremely surprised it that would or even could happen.

 

[wasserfall]

No. Priests cannot move from FSSP to SSPX and the other way around without the permission and agreement of the two superiors general.

I didn’t mean in any way to imply that a priest could just walk out of one rectory and into another.

But as a practical matter, priests who wish to transfer will generally receive permission to do so, just as currently diocesan priests join the FSSP and sometimes FSSP priests leave to become diocesan priests.

 

[wasserfall]

I would be extremely surprised it that would or even could happen.

Of course it could happen, but it won’t.
(or at least, probably won’t)

 

[YoungTradCath]

That would be the PC response.

In reality priests of the FSSP and SSPX have identical charisms. The structure and goals of the FSSP is essentially the same as the SSPX, the only difference being the large lay and religious influence now in the SSPX (which wasn’t as much the case in 1988). As far as priests are concerned, their structure, formation, values (“charism”) are the same.

Keep in mind both societies do not view themselves as having a charism that other secular or diocesan priests need not. Their view of the priesthood is not viewed as “our way” but “the way,” and both are deeply committed to this. Archbishop Levebvre first started his seminary not to say the old Mass but to re-reform priestly formation, and has always been the main goal of both groups.

That being said, no, they will continue to remain separate, but I wouldn’t be surprised if certain FSSP or SSPX parishes move or combine. Often they aren’t far from each other.

I agree that their charisms are practically identical. The ICRSS, on the other hand, has an arguably very different charism–one that I quite enjoy –but the SSPX and FSSP are quite similar as regards charism.

As I understand it, Archbishop Lefebvre felt that the only way to re-stabilize the Church was through a wholesale revamping of priestly formation.

 

[JReducation]

That would be the PC response.

In reality priests of the FSSP and SSPX have identical charisms. The structure and goals of the FSSP is essentially the same as the SSPX, the only difference being the large lay and religious influence now in the SSPX (which wasn’t as much the case in 1988). As far as priests are concerned, their structure, formation, values (“charism”) are the same.

They’re actually not, because the SSPX priests are part of a larger SSPX family. The FSSP would find itself being absorbed.

The way that they operate from day to day is also different.

SSPX and FSSP are to each other what Carmelites and Discalced Carmelites are to each other. Part of the same tree, but very different branches, each with its unique personality.

I wouldn’t be surprised if certain FSSP or SSPX parishes move or combine. Often they aren’t far from each other.

That’s unlikely. If they follow the model of Opus Dei, only the local bishop can merge parishes. If they follow the model of the military ordinariate, as Bishop Fellay suggests, they can’t merge parishes, because the parishes that the FSSP administers belong to the local diocese and the ones that the SSPX priests administer would belong to the SSPX.

I didn’t mean in any way to imply that a priest could just walk out of one rectory and into another.

But as a practical matter, priests who wish to transfer will generally receive permission to do so, just as currently diocesan priests join the FSSP and sometimes FSSP priests leave to become diocesan priests.

This is treated differently in Canon Law. The canon that govern transfers between institutes are very different from those that govern transfers between an institute and a diocese.

It’s much easier to go between an institute and a dioceses than institute to institute. When you move from a diocese to an institute, there is no profession to the diocese. Diocesan priests do not make profession. When you move from the institute to the diocese, there is only one profession involved, the one that you made to the institute, which can be dispensed by the superior general of the institute.

When you move between institutes, if the professions are not of the same canonical status and dignity, then it has to be approved by the Holy See. You can go up in dignity without the Holy See’s approval, but you can’t go downward without the approval.

Fraternally,

Br. JR, FFV