SSPX offers 2nd response to Vatican on 'Doctrinal Preamble'
January 17, 2012
The Society of St. Pius X (SSPX) has reportedly submitted a second response to the Doctrinal Preamble that was drafted for the group’s affirmation.
Vatican journalist Andrea Tornielli of La Stampa reports that an original reply from the SSPX was submitted in December, but the Vatican asked for more clarification. The Ecclesia Dei commission, which is handling discussions with the SSPX for the Vatican, is now assessing the new answer, Tornielli says.
In December, the same reporter had written that Vatican officials were somewhat surprised by the first SSPX response, submitted by Bishop Bernard Fellay, the head of the traditionalist group. The Vatican had expected the SSPX to recommend amendments to the Doctrinal Preamble, he said, but the first response did not include such suggestions.
Bishop Fellay has indicated that the SSPX is not prepared to accept the Doctrinal Preamble in its current form. But the Vatican has indicated an openness to changes. For that reason, the Vatican ordered that the text of the Doctrinal Preamble should not be made public until talks with the SSPX have reached a conclusion.
The Doctrinal Preamble was presented to the SSPX in September, as the basis for an agreement that would allow the reconciliation of the SSPX with the Holy See. If the traditionalist group accepts the text, acknowledging the authority of Vatican II teachings, the Doctrinal Preamble could be issued along with a canonical document regularizing the position of the SSPX within the Church.
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Further information:
- Fellay’s second response (Vatican Insider)
- SSPX response to 'Doctrinal Preamble' surprises Vatican (CWN, 12/21)
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Posted by: koinonia -
Jan. 17, 2012 9:55 PM ET USA
In 2000 the SSPX priests and lay Catholics processed in St. Peter's Square manifesting fidelity to Eternal Rome. The SSPX authorities asked the Holy Father to lift the excommunications and restore the Traditional Mass, and one million Rosaries were requested by Bishop Fellay. The Holy Father complied. The Church under Pope Benedict began to look seriously to her past for help to the horror of lots of Catholic prelates, priests, laity and observers. There is more to this story than meets the eye
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Posted by: JimKcda -
Jan. 17, 2012 8:58 PM ET USA
I am reminded of the "Old Catholic Church" which was created by a bishop(s) and priests who refused to accept the doctrine of infallibility after Vatican Council I. I pray that the SSPX are not headed down that same path. Some have recently questioned why the Pope is spending so much time and effort on the SSPX? Have they never read the Gospel story of the Good Shepard who leaves the nienty-nine and searches for the one lost sheep. God Bless our Holy Pope BXVI for his efforts to save the SSPX!
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Posted by: koinonia -
Jan. 17, 2012 6:17 PM ET USA
Bishop Fellay: "There is a problem somewhere. It is not possible otherwise. The problem is based on the understanding of certain words. And these words are 'Tradition' and 'Magisterium.' Their way of understanding these words is subjective." He adds: "But nowadays, it's as though we went from the object to the subject...You understand very well that humanly speaking there is no great hope that they will agree to change such a position." He's been honest and candid. And Rome continues to listen.
