SSPX protests 'scandal' of Assisi pilgrimage
October 27, 2011
Leaders of the traditionalist Society of St. Pius X (SSPX) have asked members to offer prayers of reparation for the "great scandal" of the peace pilgrimage to Assisi organized by Pope Benedict XVI.
Father Arnaud Rostand, the American district superior of the SSPX, charged that the inter-religious event "is a direct attack against the first Commandment of God: “Thou shalt not have strange gods before Me.” He announced a Day of Reparation for the SSPX in the US, urging the faithful to pray for the defense of the faith "especially against the rising ecumenism of our times."
American SSPX leaders directed attention to an essay by Father Regis de Cacquery, the French district superior, denouncing the Assisi pilgrimage:
How can anyone entertain the thought that God will be pleased with the Jews who are faithful to their fathers, who crucified the Son of God and deny the Triune God? How could He give ear to prayers addressed to Allah, whose disciples relentlessly persecute Christians? How could He accept the suffrages of all the heretics, schismatics, and apostates who have repudiated His Church, which came from His Son’s open side? How could He be honored by the worship offered to idols by all the animists, pantheists, and other idolaters?
The fiery statements by SSPX leaders will undoubtedly complicate Vatican efforts to promote reconciliation with the traditionalist group.
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Posted by: -
Oct. 28, 2011 8:48 PM ET USA
"For all the gods of the Gentiles are devils: but the Lord made the heavens." Psalm 95:5
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Posted by: koinonia -
Oct. 28, 2011 8:21 AM ET USA
With Assisi and similar gatherings, it is a formal gathering together of divergent faiths in a public setting and cannot help but imply indifferetism. Inviting animists, pantheists, etc. to participate and to pray together or in groups includes the implication that their prayers will be just as efficacious as anyone else's. To the Christian, this is a game of pretend, and in as much as it involves a lessening of the role of the Prince of Peace- the Word made flesh- it is a bit problematic.
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Posted by: -
Oct. 27, 2011 11:44 PM ET USA
SSPX seem to think they've got an inside line on God's mind...
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Posted by: -
Oct. 27, 2011 7:05 PM ET USA
SSPX won't be brought into full unity with the Church if they must remain silent. We have professors at seminaries/colleges, priests & religious, and even your odd bishop, who seem to reject the 1st 20 Church councils, but embrace the 21st--and usually there is no sanction...although they are often quite vocal. In view of that, is there room in the Church for those who accept the first 20 Councils, but hold the 21st to be pastorally and prudentially flawed? Is there One True Council?
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Posted by: -
Oct. 27, 2011 6:21 PM ET USA
“We do not need a peace that will consist merely in acts of external or formal courtesy, but a peace which will penetrate the souls of men and which will unite, heal, and reopen their hearts to that mutual affection which is born of brotherly love. The peace of Christ is the only peace answering this description... Nor is there any other peace possible than that which Christ gave to His disciples ...” (Pope Pius XI, Ubi Arcano Dei).
