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Catholic World News News Feature

Vatican extending "open arms" to Lefebvrists March 24, 2006

"The Church is waiting with open arms" for the restoration of full communion with the traditionalist Society of St. Pius X, Cardinal Dario Castrillon Hoyos said today.

The Colombian prelate, who has represented the Vatican in negotiations with the Lefebvrist group for several years, spoke to reporters outside the Synod Hall in the evening of March 23, after the second session of a meeting of the College of Cardinals. Pope Benedict XVI had asked the cardinals for their views on relations with the traditionalist group.

Although the cardinals' discussions took place behind closed doors, several prelates spoke with reporters after the evening session concluded. Cardinal Castrillon disclosed that the meeting had considered "the best formula" for allowing Lefebvrists to restore proper relations with the Holy See, after the breach that occurred in 1988 when the late Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre ordained four bishops in defiance of Vatican orders.

Cardinal Jorge Medina Estevez, the former prefect of the Congregation for Divine Worship, cautioned the media against blurring distinctions among Catholic traditionalists. He reminded reporters that many traditionalists are in full communion with the Holy See, and enjoy the use of the Latin Mass under the terms of the 1984 apostolic letter Ecclesia Dei. These traditionalists should be distinguished from the Lefebvrites who broke with Rome in 1988, he said. Regarding another theme that the Pope had proposed for the cardinals' discussions, the challenge of Islam, Archbishop Jean-Pierre Ricard (who will receive his red hat at the March 24 consistory, and was invited to participate in the earlier deliberations) said that there was talk about both the threats from militant Islam and the need to cooperate with Muslims in defense of fundamental human rights.

Cardinal Christoph Schönborn of Vienna said that he found the day's discussions very productive, and hoped that such consultative meetings would take place more frequently. Similarly, Cardinal Julian Herranz, president of the Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts, said that the climate of the day's meeting was open, friendly, and fraternal, demonstrating the universality of the Church. At the conclusion of the day's sessions, Pope Benedict summarized the discussions, Cardinal Herranz reported. The Pontiff had begun the day by asking for the cardinals' views on traditionalism, Islam, the status of retired bishops, and liturgical texts.