The Holy Father's long-desired goal of achieving an accommodation with the SSPX appears, now, to be close to becoming an answered prayer. Think of all he has done, working quietly and persistently, on this one case alone -- leaving aside the Anglicans and so much else. He issued the Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum in 2007. He lifted the excommunication of the four bishops from the SSPX in 2009. He issued the decisive Instruction, Universae Ecclesiae in 2011.
If a canonical structure, perhaps a prelature like that of Opus Dei, is now in the offing for the SSPX, as it appears it may be, this will regularize the priests of the SSPX. Their faculties and sacraments will no longer be merely valid, but licit. Thus one problem will be solved, and for that one must share in the gratitude of the Holy Father at the successful resolution for which he has works and prayed for so long.
Yet if this canonical structure resolves one problem, it will inevitably precipitate others. We can assuredly count on the fact that not all will share in the joy of the Holy Father. This will be only the beginning of many new struggles surrounding the controversies at issue over Vatican II and the trajectory of the post-Conciliar Church through the last half-century in this 50th anniversary year of the Council.
We live in momentous times. We are in the midst of an election year in the United States. The Republic faces an hour of decision. The Church, too, by any reasonable account is faced with a crisis of vocations and apostasy in many quarters. It is welcome and salutary sight to behold a candle lit, now and then. Let us give thanks, certainly, but also continue praying for the good of Mother Church.
Updates:
- Communiqué of the Pontifical Commission "Ecclesia Dei": The text "will be examined by the Dicastery and submitted afterwards to the judgment of the Holy Father."
Father Lombardi, head of the Holy See Press Office: "It can be said that steps forward have been taken, that is to say, that the response, the new response, is rather encouraging, but there are still developments that will be made, and examined, and decisions that should be taken in the next few weeks. I think the wait will not be long because there is the desire to reach a conclusion in these discussions, in these contacts." - Communiqué of the General House of the Society of Saint Pius X: "This is therefore a stage and not a conclusion." (Rorate Caeli, April 18, 2012)
- For the record: "The Pope will decide in May" (Rorate Caeli, April 20, 2012)
7 comments:
The reactions to this announcement are dispiriting to me.
Let's assume that this is not another dud from "Scoop" Tornielli.
If true, then we have a lot of people reacting emotionally rather than with maturity and insight. That is not good. Anyone who reflects on the ruthless nature of ecclesial politics, and the crypto-protestantization of the post-V2 church, ought to be able to fathom that this will not be the end of the test, but its intensification. Another turn of the screw.
My guess is that we will all look upon our diocese a few years from now and wonder at how little has changed.
Now more than ever, the marching order ought to be clear for trad Catholics both inside and outside the SSPX: "pray that ye enter not into temptation." (Mt 26:41)
A pretty arresting anniversary gift, if it happens.
You wrote: " Thus one problem will be solved [...]"..."This will be only the beginning of many new struggles surrounding the controversies at issue over Vatican II and the trajectory of the post-Conciliar Church through the last half-century in this 50th anniversary year of the Council." Thanks, you are most probably correct. I am interested to see, know and experience the solutions.
As with all things relating to the SSPX and the modern Church, I have mixed and conflicting thoughts and feelings; both groups, over many years, have given me much heartache, not to mention headache. If this new round of 'reconciliation' does not fall apart again as in 1988, or in some other fashion - followed by a new round of excommunications - it would perhaps be a blessed, strange and wonderful thing. But whatever happens, I for one will not forget the refugees and casualties everywhere, dead and living and alienated victims that were (are) harmed. But again, deeply and fundamentally I do hope and pray for the best for everyone involved; always have. 'God is love'.
But for whatever reason, I dread any moment now a noisy storm of accusations, denunciations and behaviours coming bitterly and strategically from both sides and others, re: 'disobedience to the Pope, Bishops, Vat II Council and religious liberty', 'Spirit of Assisi', 'neo-modernist Rome', 'error has no rights', 'Pope Paul's new Mass', 'sedevacantism', 'validity vs. invalidity', 'anti-semitism', 'Tradition', 'ambiguous Council', 'benedict fellay arnold' (i.e betrayal /betrayers), 'Catholic fundamentalism', 'schism', so on and so on and so forth ad nauseum.
Perhaps a victorious triumphalistic Cath-traditionalist novus ordo has arrived, and the previously victorious triumphalistic Cath-liberalist novus ordo or the Neo-Con Cath novus ordo are now gone or mainly defeated? Looking at much of what is being written and the possibly premature celebratory comments around the neo-traditionalist blogs, news, etc., one perhaps notices a secret fear to rock the boat during party preparations, that truth or problems might destroy or jeopardize the reason, the excited mania of exuberant shouts of joy, thanks and praise for peace and victory over enemies? Whatever the case, I soberly suspect a Danse Macabre for all at this moment might be appropriate. I don't know; honestly.
SSPX.org has just posted a communique from its General House on the matter.
Dear Ralph R-D. As usual, you identify the obvious pitfalls.
However, Jesus rode into Jerusalem knowing what He was to face and it is time The SSPX did the same.
If Bishop Fellay can cut a deal that to him seems reasonable, I am fine with that.
It is time to go toe-to-toe with the modernists while they are at their weakest - and it is an oddity of existence that the enemy is oft-times at its weakest when others think it is most puissant.
Dream on, not Spartacus. I wish I could accept your resolution to go "toe to toe" It's just that (a) I have the strangest feeling that that is exactly what we HAVE been doing all along (so I miss the resolution), and (b) your analysis of the situation reminds me of nothing so much as Montgomery's leading up to Operation Market Garden.
"A Bridge Too Far" is required viewing for you and Ab Fellay -- if only to hear Robert Redford stammer "Hail Mary, full of grace" several dozen times as he dodges flak in a rubber boat.
Dear Ralph. I was writing about going toe-to-toe publicly in the Holy City of Rome.
Make the deal; make it public; and maintain the praxis of the Society ; and especially maintain the praxis if there is Papal pressure applied to significantly modify or eviscerate that Traditional Praxis after the deal has been made.
If the Pope does make the deal he will be the one who will have the most to lose (or gain) and the Church will have the most to gain.
I do admit to being a dreamer at times.
I have been to the Holy City of Rome only once and I am planning to go back with The Bride once Saint Peter's Square has been restored to what it once was but, for the sake of argument, if a deal was accomplished, I'd love to go back to the Holy City and publicly cheer and salute Bishop Fellay and be a witness to, finally, the beginning of the restoration.
Of course, I must also admit that as an Irish-Injun, I am, by nature, ever attracted to the romance of conflict.
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