Vatican offers terms for reconciliation to SSPX

September 14, 2011

The Vatican has asked the Society of St. Pius X (SSPX) to endorse a statement accepting the central teachings of Vatican II, suggesting that if the traditionalist group fulfills that requirement, the SSPX could be recognized as a personal prelature.

At a September 14 meeting in Rome, Cardinal William Levada, the prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, presented an SSPX delegation led by Bishop Bernard Fellay with a short document that a Vatican statement described as “the fundamental basis for achieving full reconciliation with the Apostolic See.”

The Vatican did not reveal the contents of the document, which was identified as a “Doctrinal Preamble.” Officials in Rome indicated that the Holy See hopes to receive a positive response from the SSPX within the next few months.

Father Federico Lombardi, the director of the Vatican press office, told reporters that if the SSPX accepts the document, he Vatican would grant canonical recognition to the traditionalist group, most likely in the form of a personal prelature. The leaders of the SSPX are currently suspended from ministry, and the Vatican does not recognize their pastoral authority. A personal prelature would give the group an approved worldwide ministry, subject directly to the Roman Pontiff.

The September 14 meeting was the product of a series of exploratory talks between Vatican officials and SSPX leaders, dedicated to identifying precisely the traditionalists’ objections to some teachings of Vatican II. Representatives of the Holy See have consistently said that the SSPX must accept the authority of that Council in order to regain regular canonical status.

The “Doctrinal Preamble,” a Vatican statement explained, sets forth “the fundamental basis for achieving full reconciliation with the Apostolic See.” The document “defines certain doctrinal principles and criteria for the interpretation Catholic doctrine, which are necessary to ensure faithfulness to the Church Magisterium and sentire cum Ecclesia,” the statement continued. The Vatican acknowledged that beyond these fundamental principles, the document “leaves open for legitimate discussion” the more specific formulations of the Council. In other words, the “Doctrinal Preamble” asks the SSPX to accept the basic authority of Vatican II, but allows for disagreement on some particular aspects of council documents. Again, the exact contents of the “Doctrinal Preamble” have not been made public.

The Vatican statement indicated that along with discussion of the document, the September 14 meeting also explored the possible canonical options that could lead to the full reconciliation of the SSPX.

 

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Further information:

• Communique Concerning the Society of St. Pius X (VIS)
• CDF Prefect meets SSPX Superior (Vatican Radio)
• Vatican lists core teachings for traditionalists (AP)
• Vatican says open to accord with traditionalists (Reuters)
• The Vatican's reconciliatory offer to the Lefebvrians (Vatican Insider)
• Vatican, SSPX close to agreement? (CWN, 9/13)