Vatican willing to wait for response from SSPX
October 29, 2012
The Vatican has indicated that it has not yet received a formal response from the Society of St. Pius X to an offer of reconciliation, and is willing to wait.
The Ecclesia Dei commission, which has been coordinating talks with the traditionalist group, announced on October 29 that the SSPX “had indicated that additional time for reflection and study is needed on their part as they prepare their response to the Holy See’s latest initiatives.”
Rumors have circulated during the month of October that the doctrinal discussions between the SSPX and the Vatican, aimed at bringing the traditionalist group back into full communion with the Holy See, had broken down irreparably. But the October 29 statement indicated that “the Holy See is awaiting the official response” of the SSPX to a concrete offer.
The Ecclesia Dei Commission indicated that there is no rush to conclude the talks. “After thirty years of separation, it is understandable that time is needed to absorb the significance of these recent developments,” the October 29 statement observed. The Vatican statement suggested a willingness to allow SSPX leaders to deal with internal disputes before making a final answer to the Vatican offer.
The Vatican statement reiterated that Pope Benedict XVI is anxious to end the split with the SSPX. The Pope’s approach, the statement said, is a “dramatic manifestation” of the Petrine office to serve the cause of unity within the Church, for which “patience, serenity, perseverance and trust are needed.”
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Further information:
- Declaration of the Pontifical Commission "Ecclesia Dei"
- Vatican counsels patience for traditionalists (AP)
- Slim chances remaining for reconciliation of SSPX? (CWN, 10/1)
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Posted by: demark8616 -
Oct. 30, 2012 12:37 AM ET USA
Just as I thought! A very sensible position for the Holy Father and the Church to take. There is rightly no rush at this stage. 'Rumor-mongers' that have delighted in taking snippets from Bishop Fellay's talks/sermons, portraying them as conclusive and supporting evidence that "the deal with Rome is off" - are possibly in for a big surprise!!
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Posted by: koinonia -
Oct. 29, 2012 10:42 PM ET USA
SSPX commentary by her priests of late indicates that more must be clarified in discussing the daunting difficulties assaulting the Church. Both sides are concerned. However, both sides refuse to build upon a disingenuous foundation, and yet there is the great desire to see the Church united in the work of restoration in the service of her King. What to say and how to say it? "Patience, serenity, perseverance and trust are needed." And so is candor, lest ultimately all shall be lost.
