While it seems like every week brings heightened anticipation that
this is the week a resolution to the on-going
discussions between the Vatican and the Society of St. Pius X will be announced,
it now seems that the final response from the SSPX to the Congregation for the
Doctrine of the Faith’s doctrinal preamble—and any movement toward or away from
reconciliation between the Holy See and the traditionalist group—
will
not come until mid-July at the very earliest.
Jean-Marie Guenois reports in the newspaper Le Figaro (original French report here) that Bishop Bernard
Fellay, superior general of the SSPX, was presented with a new document for his
consideration during his
meeting with the CDF last week. Fellay will discuss the document—and a
future course of action—with other SSPX leaders during a meeting in Écône, Switzerland July 7-14. It is
expected that he will provide the Vatican with an answer following that meeting.
From Rorate
Caeli’s translation of the French report:
Contrary to certain
rumors, this meeting will not see the calling into question
of Bp. Fellay from his position of Superior: he is in the middle of a
twelve-year term. But
capital decisions will certainly be taken: to continue negotiations? To suspend
them? To discontinue them? Or to continue [reaching out to] this outstretched
hand of Benedict XVI, who wishes to see
the disciples of Abp. Marcel Lefebvre reintegrate into the Catholic Church? In
expectation, as seen from Rome, the ball is on the Lefebvrists's field. And
they are divided on the subject.
Previous posts on the SSPX/CDF dialogue:
SSPX: Vatican II
and Novus Ordo still pose “doctrinal difficulties” (June 14, 2012)
Vatican: SSPX has
been offered a Personal Prelature (June 14, 2012)
U.S. District
Superior of SSPX comments on recent news, document leaks (May 20, 2012)
The SSPX and the
Electronic Grapevine (May 16,
2012)
Is the SSPX on the
brink of reunion with Rome? (May 02, 2012)