Pope Francis Will Extend SSPX Priests’ Faculties For Confession

The Pope Will Extend SSPX Priests’ Faculties for Confession

April 10, 2016

 

The Priestly Fraternity of St. Pius X (SSPX) organized a two-day pilgrimage in Puy-en-Velay on the occasion of the jubilee connected with this Marian shrine (the 31st jubilee since the year 992 A.D.). Four thousand faithful were able to benefit from the indulgences in Notre Dame Cathedral. In the morning, Bishop Bernard Fellay gave the sermon for the mass of Good Shepherd Sunday before the 4000 faithful and revealed to the congregation what Francis granted him the past week. “The faculty for confessions,” the pope said, “will of course continue after” the end of the year of mercy. It seems the Sovereign Pontiff is quite determined to regularize the SSPX, regardless of the opposition.

The day after the audience, Bishop Bernard Fellay met Archbishop Guido Pozzo, Secretary of the pontifical commission Ecclesia Dei, who specified to him what Rome was expecting of the SSPX: “We only think to ask of you that which is asked—that which is necessary—of every Catholic, and nothing more.” That is consistent with what the Italian prelate confided this week to our colleagues from La Croix when speaking of degrees of adherence to the Council’s texts. To Bishop Fellay, he specified, according to the latter’s statements: “You have the right to defend your opinions [!] on religious liberty, on ecumenism, on relations with other religions.” At the same time, these opinions [!] were those of popes for centuries. It is encouraging to see that the Holy See recognizes the thinking of its own predecessors as “Catholic,” and it is reassuring to see in the past years that the passions have died down. What well-disposed soul would rejoice to see endless divisions prolonged?

“Le pape va proroger le pouvoir de confesser des prêtres de la FSSPX”, Riposte Catholique, April 10, 2016

 

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