'Doctrinal Preamble' will be published if SSPX accepts it

CWN - October 07, 2011

If the traditionalist Society of St. Pius X (SSPX) accepts the "Doctrinal Preamble" crafted by the Vatican, and becomes reconciled with the Holy See, the document will be made public, Vatican sources have revealed.

The Doctrinal Preamble was submitted to SSPX leaders as a text that could form the basis for reconciliation of the group. Vatican officials indicated that the document could be amended or clarified if necessary. The fundamental purpose of the text is to ensure that the SSPX is in accord with the thinking of the universal Church, they said.

If the SSPX accepts the document--with or without modification--it will be made public, Vatican officials told the Roman news agency I Media. "We have nothing to hide," they said.

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  • Posted by: jimgrum697380 - Oct. 08, 2011 4:40 PM ET USA

    It is a bit disconcerting that the "Doctrinal Preamble" stipulating "the mind of the Church" can be "amended or clarified if necessary." This preamble is supposed to contain fundamental principles that "must be agreed upon" to establish a so-called "full cmmunion with Rome." A bit of a head-scratcher. These are truly remarkable times.

  • Posted by: GymK - Oct. 08, 2011 12:52 PM ET USA

    Pray for peace and unity within our Church, and that, God willing, this schism may be avoided.

  • Posted by: AgnesDay - Oct. 08, 2011 11:25 AM ET USA

    Folks, the Church went to exquisite pains to bring Eastern churches back into union with Rome. Have faith in the Holy Spirit, and be glad it's Pope Benedict at the helm.

  • Posted by: jimgrum697380 - Oct. 08, 2011 9:48 AM ET USA

    After checking the chapter and verse twice, I blew it in typing it out. (Perhaps a lapse related to the omnipresent John 3:16). 1 Corintians 15:3 is the correct chapter and verse. It is the source for Archbishop Lefebvre's epitaph, that he simply passed on what he had received and is the current principle animating the SSPX response according to the SSPX. The Doctrinal Preamble is going to be the catalyst, and its contents remain a mystery.

  • Posted by: jimgrum697380 - Oct. 07, 2011 7:55 PM ET USA

    1 Corinthians 3:15. This verse is on AB Lefebvre's tombstone, and it is the animating principle of the SSPX position. If they're in trouble for that, we're all in trouble.

  • Posted by: Steve214 - Oct. 07, 2011 5:55 PM ET USA

    "The fundamental purpose of the text is to ensure that the SSPX is in accord with the thinking of the universal Church, they said." Will the Austrian rebellious priests be offered a document? For the same purposes?

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