Reconciliation of SSPX depends only on doctrinal statement, Vatican official says
May 11, 2017
A key Vatican official has confirmed that the traditionalist Society of St. Pius X (SSPX) can be reconciled with the Holy See, if its leaders accept a doctrinal statement.
Archbishop Guido Pozzo, the secretary of the Ecclesia Dei commission, which is handling talks with the SSPX, said that the next step is up to the traditionalist group. “The reconciliation will occur when Monsignor Fellay [the SSPX superior] formally adheres to the doctrinal declaration that the Holy See presented to him,” he said.
Reports have circulated in Rome for several months that the Vatican is prepared to offer the SSPX the status of a personal prelature, with the only remaining condition being the acceptance of the doctrinal statement. In March, Archbishop Pozzo said the Pope would allow traditionalists to continue questioning the interpretation of some disputed Vatican II documents.
The archbishop said that although the climate in talks between the Vatican and the SSPX is very positive, he could not predict when an agreement will be reached.
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Further information:
- Vatican: No date for reconciliation with Lefebvrians, but the spirit is "constructive" (Rome Reports)
- Vatican official confirms: agreement with SSPX is close (CWN, 3/20)
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Posted by: JimKcda -
May. 11, 2017 8:09 PM ET USA
When? When the Pope is willing to resign and recognize Fellay as his new leader. And not a day sooner.
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Posted by: DanS -
May. 11, 2017 6:10 PM ET USA
Interesting how Pope Francis's Vatican demands the "acceptance of a doctrinal statement" by SSPX, while the Pope himself and many of his acolytes prefer "pastoral" flexibility when it comes to LA and pretty much everything else. Seems a bit "rigid" and "judgmental" of the Vatican.
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Posted by: rjbennett1294 -
May. 11, 2017 5:43 PM ET USA
The FSSP has only to accept a doctrinal statement? Some people think it would be smarter for the FSSP to ask for a guarantee that what happened to the Franciscan Friars of the Immaculate won't happen to the FSSP once it is under papal control. Other people think that is a too cynical view of the situation.
