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Pope one step closer to decision on LefebvriansTweet
St. Peter's
St. Peter's
The final decision is nigh: Benedict XVI has examined the proposals made by Fellay and the cardinals
Andrea Tornielli
vatican city
The dialogue between the Holy See and the Lefebvrians has reached a crucial point. Having carefully examined the content of the doctrinal preamble including the modifications requested by the Society of St. Pius X, Benedict XVI has allegedly taken a decision and communicated it to Cardinal and Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, William Levada, and the dicastery’s secretary, Archbishop Luis Ladaria Ferrer, during an audience with them last Saturday.
The content of the doctrinal declaration is top secret, but will be published - as was assured right from the beginning – when a formal agreement is reached between the Holy See and the Society of St. Pius X founded by Mgr. Lefebvre. It is not known, therefore, whether any modifications or clarifications have been made to the text. Bishop Bernard Fellay sent it to Rome in mid April and the cardinals of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, who attended the Feria Quarta meeting, examined and debated on 15 May. The Pope’s response could be communicated to the Lefebvrian superior in the next few hours. He will be the one to give the final approval to the preamble.
Given the history of stormy relations between the Holy See and the Fraternity, developments should be viewed with caution: in 1988 Lefebvre had signed a doctrinal agreement but decided to end negotiations at the last minute, claiming he did not trust Vatican authorities and proceeded to illegally consecrate four new bishops, including Fellay, without a papal mandate. Many things have changed since then. Today, the Superior of the Society of St. Pius X - who reiterated his views last 7 June, in an interview published in the Fraternity’s official bulletin – is well aware that Benedict XVI wants a reconciliation to heal the wound opened twenty four years ago. If, after receiving the Vatican’s reply, Fellay signs the doctrinal declaration, the agreement will be announced officially.
The question regarding the other three Lefebvrian bishops, Tissier de Mallerays, de Gallareta and Williamson remains open. The three bishops contested Fellay’s wish for reconciliation with the Church in a harsh letter which was later published on the web. Even if the Fraternity’s Superior signs the doctrinal declaration, the positions of the three bishops will be examined individually by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.
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