Terms Fixed for SSPX & Rome Doctrinal DiscussionsThis is from Bishop Richard Williamson's blog site, Dinoscopus. My only concern is that these "written" discussions be made public at some time. So much in the sixteen Vatican II documents MUST be reconciled with Tradition. Let's hope and pray for all to go well. However, I do believe that Rome is in for a rude awakening!
From Bishop Tissier de Mallerais speaking in Paris we hear that terms have been fixed for the doctrinal discussions due to take place between the Society of St. Pius X and the Church authorities in Rome. The discussions are to be in writing, which is wise, insofar as there is less room for passion and more time for careful thinking. Also they will not be made public, a provision which at best eliminates "grand-standing" by either party, otherwise known as playing to the gallery, because there will be no gallery present.
From Rome we hear that the impetus towards a Rome-SSPX understanding which was generated by the Pope's January "re-incommunication" of the four SSPX bishops, was seriously slowed down by the distrust generated by the media uproar of January-February, which is what that uproar was designed to achieve. Yet subjectively speaking, there is certainly still good will on the part of the Pope towards the SSPX, and there is no lack of good will on the part of the SSPX towards the person of the Holy Father.
The problem for these discussions is that, objectively speaking, as on either side there may be some reluctance to admit, we are in the presence of an irreconcilable clash between the religion of God and the religion of man. Vatican II mixed the two together, which was too much of the religion of man by half. Let us then say that Benedict XVI wishes to combine Vatican II with Catholic Tradition. That is still too much of the religion of man by a quarter. Let us now suppose that the SSPX and Benedict XVI were to agree to come half-way towards each other. That would still represent one eighth of the religion of man mixed with seven eighths of the religion of God, which for the purposes of Almighty God would still be one eighth too much.
For just as it takes a disproportionately small amount of water mixed with a tank full of gasoline (or petrol) to stop a car engine dead, so it takes only a small admixture of idolatry to stop dead the true religion of God. The Lord God Himself tells us that He is a jealous God (Exod. XX, 5; etc.), and will not endure any false gods beside Him. To anybody in the SSPX who might be tempted to worship with the neo-modernists, as to any neo-modernist who might wish to share worship with the Catholics, the Old Testament prophet Elias would say as he said to the hesitating Israelites, "How long do you halt between the two sides ? If the Lord be God, follow Him: but if Baal, then follow him." Scripture (III Kings, XVIII, 21) then says, "The people did not answer him a word".
Subjectively, the Israelites wanted to have it both ways. Objectively, that was impossible. For ourselves too. Kyrie Eleison. London, England.
Posted by Bishop Richard Williamson
posted by PreVat2 at
7:53 AM
5 Comments:
. . . there is no lack of good will on the part of the SSPX towards the person of the Holy Father.I would like nothing better than to see a complete reconciliation between the SSPX and Rome, but I am not going to count on it. I have read much of what the SSPX has written on their internet site over the years. I have also read most of Michael Davies' books on the subjects of Vatican II and the SSPX (and agree with most of it).
Sometimes I get the feeling that a good chunk of the SSPX--I am in no way saying the majority--are effectively sedevacantists, even when they do not admit it. Also, Bp. Williamson IMHO has an erratic personality that cannot be trusted. I think it was a mistake to consecrate him a bishop, much less ordain him originally to the Holy Priesthood.
I believe the bulk of the subject matter of the discussions can be found here. (Be aware that some of the numbering is incorrect, but all of the documents are available via the links provided.)
About 1/3 the way down in the right column in the section “the errors of Vatican II”, 5 parts, et. al.
http://sspx-cagayandeoro.blogspot.com/2009/04/last-gospel-according-to-st-john.html
The content here covers the subject matter of the 39 Dubia submitted to the Vatican by Abp Lefebvre.
IMHO, it will be many, many years before any full reconciliation is achieved. I hope and pray that some interim solution may be found.
Jerry
Alright, seriously now. He needs to shut up. I'm getting real tempted to pull that stick out of his rear and beat him over the head with it.
There are always problems with the Church, at every point in history. There are some major issues right no in terms of orthopraxy, but to sit there with this attitude that he and those like him are the sole arbiters of tradition and orthodoxy drives me nuts. Right or Left, self-righteous disobedience still smells as foul.
I have seen N.O., post-V2, or whatever-kind-of-disparaging-adjective-you-want-to-give, priest glare at someone with a look that could kill and say very sternly "I did not give up a wife and kids for something that's just a symbol." Good Priests, Bad Priests, they have been around before and will be after.
Not that this ties in directly, but I just saw that Bishop Michael F. Burbidge, Bishop of Raleigh, NC confirmed 21 people in the Extraordinary Form at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Dunn, NC.
Amen Al and I am blessed that my son was one of them. God smiled on my family like no other day in my life that day. If I die tomorrow, I die knowing that my son reached full membership in the Church Militant in a most Holy way and that he will be open to God's call should he want him to serve the Priesthood.
I am unworthy to have received such a gift, I am blessed for having fallen into the clutches of this great Parish in Dunn, and I am ever greatful for my Priest's care for my family's souls.
Amen!
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