SSPX and Rome Nov. 2014

[Michael Fuller]

Lefebvrians: “Rome doesn’t plan on imposing a capitulation”

In an interview with authoritative French weekly magazine Famille Chrétienne, the Secretary of Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei, Guido Pozzo, discussed the state of relations between Rome and the Society of St. Pius X following Mgr. Fellay’s recent meeting with the Prefect of the Doctrine for the Faith. From the interview, it would seem that the Holy See does not intend to put any pressure on Mgr. Lefebvre’s followers but would like an agreement to be reached, although the timeframe for this is uncertain. What we are given to understand here, is that Rome intends to show greater flexibility on any aspect that does not regard doctrine.

 

In 2009 Benedict XVI decided to revoke the  excommunication of Lefebvrian bishops who had been illicitly ordained by Mgr. Lefebvre in 1988. This was a first and essential step toward the resumption of a constructive dialogue. Just a first step, however, because there were still some big doctrinal questions which needed to be addressed. The Ecclesia Dei Commission which has close links with the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, is the main instrument in this dialogue process.

 

Perhaps the most interesting part of the interview is that which addressed the sticking points in said dialogue. Mgr. Pozzo underlined that “any reservations or positions the Society of St. Pius X may have regarding aspects which are not related to faith but to pastoral questions or the prudential teaching of the Magisterium do not necessarily need to withdrawn or relinquished.” Here Rome seems to be showing an attempt to alter positions expressed in the past: According to Mgr. Pozzo, the fraternity’s reservations are linked to “aspects of pastoral care or the prudential teaching of the Magisterium.” The monsignor’s statement suggests that since these criticisms and reservations are no longer labelled as “doctrinal” the Lefebvrians could legitimately continue to express them.

 

This approach is expressed more clearly in the following part of the interview:  “The Holy See does not wish to impose a capitulation on the SSPX. On the contrary, it invites the fraternity to stand beside it within the same framework of doctrinal principles that is necessary in guaranteeing the same adhesion to the faith and Catholic doctrine on the Magisterium and the Tradition. At the same time, there is room for further reflection on the reservations the fraternity has expressed regarding certain aspects and the wording of the Second Vatican Council documents as well as some reforms that followed but which do not refer to subjects which are dogmatically or doctrinally indisputable.”

 

Finally, one other very important clarification was made: “There is no doubt that the teachings of the Second Vatican Council vary a great deal in terms of how authoritative and binding they are depending on the text. So, for example, the Lumen Gentium Constitution on the Church and the Dei Verbum on the Divine Revelation are doctrinal declarations even though no dogmatic definition was given to them”, whereas the declarations on religious freedom, non-Christian religions and the decree on ecumenism “are authoritative and binding to a different and lesser degree.”

 

It is unclear how long this process is going to take: “I don’t think it is possible to say yet when this process will conclude,” Mgr. Pozzo said. Both sides are committed to taking things step by step. “There will be no unexpected shortcuts; the clearly stated aim is to promote unity through the generosity of the universal Church led by the successor of Peter.”   http://vaticaninsider.lastampa.it/en/the-vatican/detail/articolo/le...

[Dawn Marie]

[Dawn Marie]

This is a post by Sean Johnson concerning Francis excommunication of those who attend the SSPX.  It is so relevant to all of these crazy maneuvers going on it seemed right to post it here as well.

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Quote Sean Johnson:

Ladies and Gentlemen-

Think strategically about this:

1) Why would Rome (via Albano) bother to make a declaration which lacks enforceability (and therefore validity)...

2) Knowing full well in advance that none of those to whom it is directed will pay it any attention...

3) And only a month after having announced that Rome and the SSPX had agreed upon the steps to achieving full reconciliation?

Possibility:

This is a pre-approved feint to get you to think that the SSPX is still at war with Vatican II, and is suffering the consequences of it.

As if to suggest that, when the reconciliation is announced, the SSPX was still fighting Vatican II until the last minute ("Look, we just got excommunicated again!"), and therefore did not have to compromise anything in order to achieve the Prelature.

Hopefully, if you have followed my posts, you don't believe that for a minute.

This is a war for the Faith.

Wars use military maneuvers.

This could be one of them.

In the spirit of battle, I therefore leave you some quotes from Sun Tzu (one of the greatest military minds of all time, from his masterpiece -strangely relevent- "The Art of War"), and as you read them, consider them within the context of Menzingen/Roman maneuvers over the last 5-15 years:

1) "The supreme art of war is to subdue the enemy without fighting."

2) "To fight and conquer in all our battles is not supreme excellence; supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting."

3) "Be extremely subtle, even to the point of formlessness. Be extremely mysterious, even to the point of soundlessness. Thereby you can be the director of the opponent's fate."

4) "The general who wins the battle makes many calculations in his temple before the battle is fought. The general who loses makes but few calculations beforehand."

5) "Thus it is that in war the victorious strategist only seeks battle after the victory has been won, whereas he who is destined to defeat first fights and afterwards looks for victory."

6) "He who is prudent and lies in wait for an enemy who is not, will be victorious."

7) "Supreme excellence consists in breaking the enemy's resistance without fighting."

8) "The general who advances without coveting fame and retreats without fearing disgrace, whose only thought is to protect his country and do good service for his sovereign, is the jewel of the kingdom."

9) “Appear weak when you are strong, and strong when you are weak.”

10) “Let your plans be dark and impenetrable as night, and when you move, fall like a thunderbolt.”

11) "Victorious warriors win first and then go to war, while defeated warriors go to war first and then seek to win”

12) “All warfare is based on deception. Hence, when we are able to attack, we must seem unable; when using our forces, we must appear inactive; when we are near, we must make the enemy believe we are far away; when far away, we must make him believe we are near.”

13) “If your enemy is secure at all points, be prepared for him. If he is in superior strength, evade him. If your opponent is temperamental, seek to irritate him. Pretend to be weak, that he may grow arrogant. If he is taking his ease, give him no rest. If his forces are united, separate them. If sovereign and subject are in accord, put division between them. Attack him where he is unprepared, appear where you are not expected .”

14) “To know your Enemy, you must become your Enemy.”

15) “Engage people with what they expect; it is what they are able to discern and confirms their projections. It settles them into predictable patterns of response, occupying their minds while you wait for the extraordinary moment — that which they cannot anticipate.”

16) “Thus we may know that there are five essentials for victory:
1 He will win who knows when to fight and when not to fight.
2 He will win who knows how to handle both superior and inferior forces.
3 He will win whose army is animated by the same spirit throughout all its ranks.
4 He will win who, prepared himself, waits to take the enemy unprepared.
5 He will win who has military capacity and is not interfered with by the sovereign.”
 
17) “Even the finest sword plunged into salt water will eventually rust.”

18) “Opportunities multiply as they are seized.”

19) “The greatest victory is that which requires no battle.”

20) “When the enemy is relaxed, make them toil. When full, starve them. When settled, make them move.”

21) “In the midst of chaos, there is also opportunity”

22) “When strong, avoid them. If of high morale, depress them. Seem humble to fill them with conceit. If at ease, exhaust them. If united, separate them. Attack their weaknesses. Emerge to their surprise.”

23) “When you surround an army, leave an outlet free. Do not press a desperate foe too hard.”