SSPX leader: 'we have to say no'

February 03, 2012

The head of the Society of St. Pius X (SSPX) has indicated that the traditionalist group remains at odds with the Vatican on key issues regarding the teachings of Vatican II.

In a sermon delivered on February 2 at St. Thomas Aquinas Seminary, Bishop Bernard Fellay said that the unresolved issue in talks between the SSPX and Rome is the Vatican’s insistence that the traditionalists accept the authority of the Council. “And practically, at many levels, we have to say no,” he said. Bishop Fellay elaborated:

The key problem in our discussions with Rome was really the Magisterium, the teaching of the Church. Because they say, "we are the pope, we are the Holy See" – and we say, yes. And so they say, "we have the supreme power," and we say, yes. They say, "we are the last instance in teaching and we are necessary" – Rome is necessary for us to have the Faith, and we say, yes. And then they say, "then, obey." And we say, no.

The SSPX leader said that his group’s latest response to the Vatican is still under study there.

http://www.catholicculture.org/news/headlines/index.cfm?storyid=13218

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Permalink Reply by Dawn Marie on February 3, 2012 at 5:53pm

02/ 3/2012

Lefebvrians incited by Fellay to say “no” to the Vatican proposal

Fellay

During a homily said during a traditionalist seminary in the United States, the Lefebvrian leader stated that the Congregation was not obliged to give a positive response to the Holy See’s proposal

Alessandro Speciale
Rome

During a homily given in the traditionalist seminary of St. Thomas Aquinas in Winona, Minnesota, in the United States yesterday, the Lefebvrian superior, Mgr. Bernard Fellay, said that the Society of St. Pius X “must say “no” to the reconciliation proposal made by the Vatican. The homily has been published on the seminary’s website.

Mgr. Fellay explained to his fellow Lefebvrians that the Holy See “has accepted all our requests” from an organisational and practical point of view, improving the offer made to us last 14 September. But they still have a long way to go in terms of doctrine. According to Fellay, the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei in charge of relations with traditionalist groups is asking Lefebvrians to accept the fact that “certain controversial points in the Council (Vatican II, Ed.) whose ambiguity is causing a conflict of opinion – such as ecumenism and religious freedom, must be read in coherence with the permanent doctrine of the Church. Therefore, if there is any ambiguity in the Council, you should read it according to what the Church has always taught throughout the course of history.”

The problem, according to the Lefebvrian superior, is that as an example of continuity between the traditional doctrine of the Church and the teachings of the Council, the Vatican presents the very questions of ecumenism and religious freedom “as they are interpreted by the Catechism of the Catholic Church, which are precisely the points that we reprehend in the Council."

The Lefebvrian response has already been sent to Rome and is now being examined by the “Ecclesia Dei” Commission: “They are still mulling it over, which probably means that they are undecided,” the traditionalist superior said. “Our message to them was very clear – he concluded – is you accept us just as we are, without making any changes and without forcing us to accept such points, we are ready. But if you intend to force us to accept these things, then we have no deal.”

“I don’t think things could get more confusing than this,” the traditionalist leader said speaking ironically about the words “tradition” and “coherence” having a different meaning for the Catholic hierarchy that they do for the Lefebvrians. “This is why – Fellay said in conclusion - we are obliged to say that we will not sign. We agree on the principle but we obviously disagree on the conclusions.”

While the Vatican has not made any comment, the Austrian news agency Katholische Presseagentur claims that over the coming weeks, the Vatican will issue a new reply to the ultra-traditionalists,” but it is unclear as to whether this response will present a final decision or a request for further examination instead.”