SSPX as Barometer

JMJ

It's been said that the SSPX acts as a barometer for the Catholic Church. The further Her leaders take Her away from the truth, the more glaring the differences between the practice of the SSPX and that of the 'Modern' Church.

The first interesting article was this one from 1P5 ( 1P5: FSSP superior distinguishes fraternity from sspx eschews traditionalist label ).

As an aside I was greatly amused when a 'resistance' website made the mistake of thinking that this was an SSPX superior.

Anyway, it shows that at least in Germany there are significant differences between the FSSP and FSSPX.

I suspect that when the FSSPX is given the canonical standing that it deserves there will be a split within the FSSP.

Next we have this article ( Common Wealmagazine: Catholic Traditionalism Old and New) from Common Weal.

Well, I'll let you read it ... but first some comments:

The SSPX has a track record of pulling out of agreements at the last minute. But even if this agreement will not be signed, what is happening says a lot. Of course, the consequences of the possible return of the SSPX to the Church are tied to the success or failure of Francis’s reforms in the long run. It might curb traditionalism, or it might instead give it a boost. Part of the thinking is that in the future global Church, both old-school French-speaking traditionalism and new, English-speaking traditionalism will be more marginal.

I have to admit I giggled at the 'track record' statement. What happens is Rome has, each time, changed the agreement or required a last minute compromise.

The regularization of the SSPX might also erode or limit the validity of the motu proprio Summorum Pontificum, which might no longer be justified if a new “personal prelature” for the traditionalists delimits the application space of the extraordinary form of the Roman Rite. It would be another step for Francis dealing with the Ratzinger legacy in liturgical matters, after the decision to create a commission to review the 2001 Vatican instruction Liturgiam Authenticam.

Well, I think the erosion of SP is a matter of distinction. SP was at the behest of the SSPX and it will stand as law unless abrogated. However, I suspect that a number of dioceses will use it as an excuse to remove the traditionalist thorn from their sides.

What the traditionalists do not seem to perceive is that the possible recognition of the SSPX would not come at the expense of Vatican II, but thanks to it: the dialogue towards all in the Church (for example: the divorced and remarried, LGBT people) enables and justifies a bold opening toward the SSPX as well. As Italian ecumenist Lorenzo Prezzi observed, a deal between the Vatican and the SSPX in 2009 or in 2012 would have legitimized and solidified a restrictive reading of Vatican II, while also influencing the conclave of 2013. Now the opposite seems likely. The return of the SSPX will give some more power to the conservatives, but in a process of reform. Of course, this scenario makes more sense for Catholic churches in which Vatican II was implemented more fully than in the United States, where during these last few decades an institutional “Vatican II revisionism,” pushed especially by the bishops, has been a subset of the culture wars.

Well, I believe that if the SSPX does not need to accept V2 (see mantra) then yes it is at the expense of V2.

It will be a brave new world where one can question the crazy practices of the past 50+ years.

P^3

Comments

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