Rorate Caeli reports:
Communiqué of the Superior General of the Society of St. Pius X,
Bishop Bernard Fellay
It has come to our attention that Bishop Richard Williamson, a member of our Society, granted an interview to a Swedish network. In this interview, he also commented on historical issues, especially on the genocide of Jews by the National-Socialist regime. It is obvious that a bishop speaks with religious authority solely on matters of faith and morals. Our Society claims no authority over historical or other secular matters.
The mission of the Society is the offering and restoration of authentic Catholic teaching, as reflected in the traditional dogmas. We are known, accepted and appreciated worldwide for this.
We view this matter with great concern, as this exorbitance has caused severe damage to our religious mission. We apologize to the Holy Father and to all people of good will for the trouble it has caused.
It must remain clear that those comments do not reflect in any way the attitude of our community. That is why I have forbidden Bishop Williamson to issue any public opinion on any political or historical matter until further notice.
The constantly accusations against the Society have also apparently served the purpose of discrediting our mission. We will not allow this, but will continue to preach Catholic doctrine and to offer the Sacraments in the ancient rite.
Menzingen, January 27, 2009
+ Bishop Bernard Fellay
Superior General
8 comments:
Anyone who exbitis vitriol to the SSPX now, will now show that they are not sincere in their arguments but are only bitter about the gesture of the Holy Father to the Society.
I think that in some ways this news is more significant even than the lifting of the excommunications, as it suggests that Bishop Fellay, at least, is serious about negotiations with Rome.
Many thanks to Fr. Ray for the link. I had not seen this latest communique.
Clearly, Bishop Fellay, Superior General of the SSPX, is very serious about reconciliation with Rome.
Oh, I imagine there will be some tough talking, mainly on Vatican II, before accord is reached bewteen Menzigen and Rome. This may take some time. I don't know.
It is a very good start, therefore, if Menzigen and Rome are already in agreement over the Williamson-Holocaust business (which they appear to be).
Just think how much else unites them ..
Thank God.
Let's now draw the veil of charity over this - and concentrate on welcoming home our brothers and sisters who want to come home to Peter.
This is a reassuring and sensible intervention by Bishop Fellay. Meanwhile, the BBC are misrepresenting the lifting the excommunication.
Good that he has done it on Holocaust Memorial Day.
Maybe this is going to work out well after all. Bishop Fellay at least seems to be living in reality about what happened at the weekend. +Williamson on the other hand just seems to be living in a world of his own. Every organisation has a right, a left and a centre so hopefully +Fellay will lead the left and the centre of the SSPX back into the Church. What will happen to the right I suppose only time will tell.
Further down the line I think the next problem is going to be the re-unification of the orthodox. It seems to me we are united on doctrine but badly split on liturgy and pastoral care. That's what caused the problem in the first place. We are going to have to bury the hatchet amongst ourselves and get along with each other.
I don't know about you but I'm going to pray to St. Peter tonight for the restoration of orthodoxy in the Church.
As regards +Williamson I think we should pray for him too. He is probably being beset by demons at the moment and looks sick to me.
Dr Wright says there will be tough talking on Vatican II. How can there be? I thought catholics accepted General Councils ratified by Popes. Surely the Decrees on Ecumenism and Religious Liberty and the Declaration on Non-Christian Religions are not matters for negotiation?
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