Cardinal Pell defends Pope against SSPX, foresees continued push for Curial reform

October 28, 2013

A traditionalist prelate’s complaint that Pope Francis is a “modernist” is “absolute rubbish,” says Cardinal George Pell of Sydney, Australia.

Responding to the charge by Bishop Bernard Fellay, the head of the Society of St. Pius X, the Australian cardinal told a reporter: “To put it politely, I think that’s absolute rubbish!” He said that Pope Francis is “a loyal son of the Church, and his record shows it.”

Cardinal Pell—who is a member of the Council of Cardinals advising Pope Francis-- said that it was a “reasonable expectation” that the Pontiff would continue giving high priority to his effort to reform the Roman Curia. He said that he expected the Council of Cardinals to meet regularly, every two months, “at least until the middle of next year.” When asked whether a reform of the Curia would be completed by that time, however, he replied simply: “Who knows?”

 

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Further information:

• Traditionalist leader's attack on Pope is “absolute rubbish!” says Pell (Vatican Insider)
• SSPX leader denounces Vatican II, Novus Ordo liturgy (CWN, 10/15)