Two days ago our friends at Rorate Cæli posted a translation of an I-Media article about the Pope and the SSPX. In the article it is reported that the CDF has handed the SSPX dossier over to the Pope for him to make a "decision" in regards to the SSPX.
There is a lot of speculation regarding this move. Many are surmising that Pope Benedict will make the decision to either make room in the Church for the SSPX or definitively close the door on them. The latter seems to be the conclusion to which many traditionalists have come. On the surface there seems to be good reason.
The SSPX only recently refused to agree with the contents of a secret doctrinal "preamble" to a larger document intended to canonically regularize the Society. The fact that the CDF hasn't re-engaged the discussion in light of this refusal seems to indicate that Cardinal Levada and company are at the end of their process, and that end of a process comes with a negative conclusion.
However, the Pope is not bound to the decisions, attitudes or theological positions of those who make up the CDF. If the report is true, what has been placed in front of the Pope are two positions: the position of the CDF and the position of the SSPX. The Pope will decide several things: 1. are the two positions reconcilable? If so, then this is positive for the regularization of the Society; 2. If not, can the two positions co-exist within the Church? If so, then once again this is positive for the regularization of the Society, as this Pope seems to be inclined toward a "big tent mentality". Only if the Pope concludes that the two positions are irreconcilable and that they cannot co-exist within the Church, then will the Pope decide against regularization. Thus, all things considered, this situation seems to indicate a more favorable disposition toward regularization than a negative one.
At any rate, how fitting that this news should come out at the beginning of Lent. May this remind us to pray fervently for the full and complete restoration of the Traditional Latin Mass, traditional Catholicism, and the Church Militant throughout this year's lenten season.
The fact is either Pope Benedict XVI will change or the SSPX will change. Their beliefs are contradictory. Only God can change this. Let us pray especially the Rosary that the true Catholic Faith be defended and preached, and the truth concerning this Divine Truth in this Modernist Crisis of Civilization be discovered and understood. Many are waiting to know the truth about the last 4 decades.
ReplyDeleteIf one looks at the fruits of the modern Church and the fruits of the SSPX, one can see which was is being blessed by God. Let's pray for an end to the heresy, destruction, and vile that has arisen and has been lauded by the modern Church officials since at least the late 60's.
ReplyDeleteGod safeguard the SSPX.
One must view this whole Preamble shenanigan as a series of formalities and political maneuvering. It is stuff that happens all the time.
ReplyDeleteThe Pope knew full well the FIRST Preamble was going to be rejected, since the CDF folks don't share his vision. The plan WAS to have it rejected by the SSPX precisely so the SSPX could write their OWN standards, see clearly what they are thinking, and ULTIMATELY have this end up on the Pope's desk so that HE could have the LAST word and not the CDF.
Consider the overall trend/context:
(1) The Pope unilaterally issued the Motu Proprio, even mentioning the SSPX in it, while the other Bishops hated it.
(2) The Pope unilaterally lifted the excommunications, again in the midst of great "fear" and anger among the other bishops.
(3) The Pope insisted on doctrinal talks and insisted it carry out this long.
This makes ZERO sense if the Pope never had any intention of ruling in favor of the Society. It would be ridiculous for the Pope to go through all this just to ultimately deny the SSPX.
People are not looking at the big picture, nor are they looking at this with "political glasses" on. The surface level stuff (The SSPX rejecting the crappy Preamble of a liberal CDF) is not surprising at all, nor does it amount to much.
You can't belong to the Church in name only and truly be a part of it.
ReplyDeleteThe CINO's and the SSPX are the same beast: claiming Catholicity but corrupted with pride and self-importance. But what's sin matter when you're RIGHT!