Is the SSPX preparing for regularization?

SSPX RomeOn July 16th, DICI published a Communiqué from Bishop Bernard Fellay intended for “All Members of the Society of Saint Pius X” (i.e., the priests of the SSPX) that not only echoes the previously issued statement, but also seems to offer a bit more clarity.

I invite you to read it in its fullness via the hyperlink above, but following is my take on the most salient points.

The Communiqué repeats what was said previously; “the Society of Saint Pius X does not seek above all a canonical recognition, to which it has a right because it is Catholic.”

The operative phrase here is above all.

As I wrote in response to the last Communiqué, this would seem to suggest that the SSPX, while not making of canonical recognition a priority, is not ruling it out (as some have alleged).

In the present case, Bishop Fellay seems to expand on this point; making it rather plain (to me anyway) that the Society considers its canonical status a matter of some importance. At the same time, he is at pains to ensure that it is viewed in its proper context.

“The solution” to “the present grave state of necessity in the Church,” he wrote, “is not simply juridical.”

Again, one gets the impression that His Excellency is leaving the door open for a possible juridical remedy to their irregular canonical status, but with the caveat that this alone will not solve the present crisis.

So, what will?

According to Bishop Fellay, “It depends on a doctrinal position that it is imperative to express.”

The Communiqué suggests that the crux of the crisis in the Church today concerns an exaggerated focus on “human dignity, man’s conscience and freedom,” which amounts to the virtual dethronement of Christ.

In response, according to Bishop Fellay, “the Good Lord raised up” Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, the Founder of the Society of St. Pius X – “the principle and end of which are just the antidote to this universal disorder: The Sacrament of Holy Orders.”

By the will of God, therefore, this is the Society’s contribution to the Church in her passion:

The formation of holy priests who are “determined to keep doctrinal, theological and social rectitude, founded on the Cross of Jesus Christ, on His Kingship, on His sacrifice, and on His priesthood, the principle of all order and of all grace.”

The Communiqué suggests that this crucial work will necessarily be part of the solution to the present crisis.

“It is incumbent on us at the present hour to redouble our efforts and to intensify the same fight on the same principles,” Bishop Fellay wrote.

The most important, and most telling, part of the Communiqué (in this writer’s opinion) is the final paragraph:

“Is this truly the moment for the general restoration of the Church? Divine Providence does not abandon its Church, the head of which is the Pope, the Vicar of Jesus Christ. This is why an indisputable sign of this restoration will be the express desire will of the Supreme Pontiff to grant the means with which to reestablish the order of the priesthood, of the faith, and of Tradition, sign which will moreover be the guarantee of the necessary unity of the family of Tradition.”

I have no idea how other Catholic commentators are reading the Communiqué in question (I am traveling at present and have limited internet access), but it certainly seems to me that Bishop Fellay is preparing his priests for the possibility (perhaps even eventuality) that the Society’s juridical status will be regularized by some papal act in the foreseeable future.

Yes, at the hands of a pope that the previously issued Communiqué blamed for contributing to the “great and painful confusion that currently reigns in the Church.” (For the present, let’s set aside all reasonable concerns over the validity of conclave 2013.)

Taken together, both Communiqués appear to be saying to all concerned, among other things, that we can be certain that the solution to the present crisis will involve the following:

  1. The support of the Supreme Pontiff
  2. The formation of good and holy priests
  3. The assertion once more of the Sovereign Rights of Christ the King (which likewise entails the denunciation of the common errors of today; especially those concerning a hyper-inflated sense of human dignity)
  4. The triumph of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, the requirements of which were given to us by Our Lady at Fatima

It seems to me that the Society’s position is that a papal act granting regular canonical status to the SSPX (even if it comes from the hands of the blasphemer, Francis) should not only be accepted, but perhaps even considered as possibly marking the beginning of the process of restoration roughly outlined above.

NB: Recalling that the last Communiqué specifically mentioned the approaching centennial of the apparitions in Fatima, I would caution those who might believe that the Society is naïvely disregarding the role that chastisement will play in the Church’s recovery.

These are my thoughts, for what they are worth. What are yours?

Latest Comments

  1. aroamingcatholicny July 19, 2016
  2. my2cents July 19, 2016
  3. Rushintuit July 19, 2016
  4. maryiloveher July 19, 2016
  5. maryiloveher July 19, 2016
  6. ermylaw July 19, 2016
  7. tradprofessor July 19, 2016
  8. helpusLord July 19, 2016
  9. Helenrose234 July 19, 2016
  10. AlphonsusJr July 19, 2016
  11. Caimbeul July 19, 2016
  12. Dave001 July 19, 2016
  13. Esteban July 20, 2016
  14. my2cents July 20, 2016
  15. my2cents July 20, 2016
  16. Debleau July 20, 2016
  17. A Critical Thinker July 20, 2016
  18. helpusLord July 20, 2016
  19. Torkay July 20, 2016
  20. maryiloveher July 20, 2016
  21. rich July 20, 2016
  22. rich July 20, 2016
  23. Dave001 July 21, 2016
  24. maryiloveher July 21, 2016
  25. my2cents July 21, 2016
  26. Caimbeul July 22, 2016
  27. rcaamo July 22, 2016
  28. Andrew_81 July 22, 2016
  29. rich July 22, 2016
  30. my2cents July 23, 2016
  31. rich July 23, 2016
  32. Andrew_81 July 23, 2016
  33. Andrew_81 July 23, 2016
  34. maryiloveher July 23, 2016
  35. Caimbeul July 23, 2016
  36. maryiloveher July 23, 2016
  37. maryiloveher July 23, 2016
  38. doraymegjb July 24, 2016
  39. aroamingcatholicny July 24, 2016
  40. rich July 25, 2016
  41. Caimbeul July 26, 2016
  42. kellyann August 1, 2016
  43. Servant of Our Lady August 2, 2016