February started off with a chaotic flurry of Rome and SSPX interactions.
I've pulled together quite a list of internet articles (see below) and more keep appearing on my regular searches. ... So I think I need to stop adding as of today.
I think that there are only two documents that bear a separate analysis - the two press releases made by Rome and the SSPX. One element that I learned is that the SSPX intends to consecrate five bishops.
We now know that the SSPX is going to proceed with the Consecration of Five (5) Auxiliary Bishops. I will post another article on this event in more detail once time allows.
Here is a discussion by John-Henry Westen on his YouTube Channel Sign of the Cross.
My only comments at this time on the events are:
We've been in this situation in 1988, so what is old is new again.
For those who feel that the SSPX is leaving communion, yeah ... no. This does not materially change the situation of the SSPX as the legal aspects of the excommunications have been lifted, but the SSPX still is still not in 'full communion' as they say these days.
Regarding the meeting between the Prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith and the Superior General of the FSSPX
On February 12, 2026, a cordial and sincere meeting took place at the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith between the Prefect, His Eminence Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, and the Superior General of the FSSPX (Society of Saint Pius X), the Reverend Don Davide Pagliarani, with the approval of the Holy Father Leo XIV.
After clarifying certain points presented by the FSSPX in various letters, particularly those sent between 2017–2019 — among other matters, discussion concerned the question of the divine will regarding the plurality of religions — the Prefect proposed a specifically theological dialogue process, with a well-defined methodology, concerning themes that still lack sufficient clarification, such as the difference between an act of faith and “religious submission of mind and will,” or the different degrees of assent required by various texts of the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council and its interpretation. At the same time, he proposed addressing a series of topics listed by the FSSPX in a letter dated January 17, 2019.
The purpose of this process would be to highlight, in the debated topics, the minimum requirements necessary for full communion with the Catholic Church and consequently to outline a canonical status for the Fraternity, together with other aspects requiring further study. [Tradicat: So ... what is the state of the Chinese Catholic Church in this regard?]
It was reiterated on the part of the Holy See that the ordination of bishops without a mandate from the Holy Father — who holds ordinary supreme power that is full, universal, immediate, and direct (cf. Code of Canon Law, can. 331; Dogmatic Constitution Pastor Aeternus, chaps. I and III) — would imply a decisive rupture of ecclesial communion (schism), with grave consequences for the Fraternity as a whole (John Paul II, Apostolic Letter Ecclesia Dei, July 2, 1988, nos. 3 and 5c; Pontifical Council for Legislative Texts, Explanatory Note, August 24, 1996, no. 1).[Tradicat: I find it interesting that he doesn't actually cite the canon's that were cited in 1988 (link). There have been changes to the code and the correct canon is now 1387 (link) but the wording remains as well as the section. It is not in the section on the Unity of the Church.]
Therefore, the possibility of carrying out this dialogue presupposes that the Fraternity suspend the announced decision regarding episcopal ordinations. [Tradicat: We now know that is not going to happen.]
The Superior General of the FSSPX will present the proposal to his Council and will give his response to the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith.
In the case of a positive response, the steps, stages, and procedures to be followed will be established by mutual agreement.
All the Church is asked to accompany this journey, especially in the coming time, with prayer to the Holy Spirit. He is the principal agent of the true ecclesial communion willed by Christ.
[Signed] + Victor Fernández
[Source for the Italian text: Matteo Matzuzzi on X]
Communiqué From the General House: Meeting in Rome
On 12 February 2026, Reverend Father Davide Pagliarani, Superior General of the Priestly Society of Saint Pius X, was received at the Palace of the Holy Office by His Eminence Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, Prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith. This meeting had been proposed by the Cardinal following the public announcement, on the 2nd of February, of future episcopal consecrations within the Society of Saint Pius X.
The conversation, held one-on-one at the Cardinal’s request, lasted an hour and a half and took place in an atmosphere that was both cordial and frank. It enabled Father Pagliarani to listen attentively to the Prefect and to clarify the scope of the 2nd of February announcement, as well as the meaning of the steps taken with the Holy See over the recent months.
The Superior General was thus able to present, in person, the current situation of the Society of Saint Pius X and its duty, in the spiritual necessity in which souls find themselves, to ensure the continuation of the ministry of its bishops.
Above all, he emphasised the spirit of charity in which the Society envisages these consecrations, as well as its sincere desire to serve both the souls and the Roman Church.
Finally, he renewed his desire that, given the wholly particular circumstances in which Holy Church finds itself, the Society may continue to operate in its current situation – exceptional and temporary – for the good of the souls who turn to it.
For his part, Cardinal Fernández offered a different approach to the question. Relayed in an official communiqué swiftly published by the Holy See, his proposal consists of “a specifically theological path of dialogue, according to a very precise methodology, […] in order to highlight the minima necessary for full communion with the Catholic Church”, which would make it possible “to define a canonical status for the Society”.
These exchanges would seek, in particular, to reach agreement on “the different degrees of adherence required by the various texts of the Second Vatican Ecumenical Council and their interpretation”. The Cardinal stated orally that, while it would be possible to engage in dialogue about the Council, its texts could not be corrected.
As a prior condition for this dialogue, it is required to suspend the decision regarding the announced episcopal consecrations.
The Prefect of the Dicastery specifically asked the Superior General to present this proposal to the members of his Council and to take the necessary time to evaluate it.
Father Pagliarani will therefore respond within the next few days. He will write directly to Cardinal Fernández and will also make his response known to the faithful.
The Superior General renewed to Cardinal Fernández his wish to be able to meet personally with the Holy Father. He remains very peaceful and is grateful for all the prayers offered. He continues to commend this situation to the prayers of the faithful.
+ JMJ Introduction !!! From my point of view and based on my understanding of the events !!! At this point it seems that Cardinal Fernandez et al are either malicious, incompetent or geniuses. I'm only partly kidding ... Aside from the surprisingly magnanimous action of Pope Francis providing the SSPX priest with faculties for confession and ability to witness marriages, there has been a long silence between Rome and the SSPX with little or no formal talks or discussions regarding the SSPX state of canonical limbo. While the FSSP et al were able to meet with Pope Leo XIV, while requests from the SSPX went unanswered ... that is until after the latest unanswered request they announced the date for the consecration of four new bishops. Only then did the Vatican apparatus lumber into motion. A meeting was held and the speed with which the Vatican issued its press release - within hours of the meeting's conclusion - felt to me like a pre-planned attempt at manipulation that fell s...
+ JMJ I am often surprised by the list of the week's most popular articles. Today was no different. Top 2 and a recent favorite: A Look Back: Archbishop Lefebvre’s Prophetic Address to The Remnant, 1976 The myth of the Hermeneutic of Continuity - Rorate Caeli Canonical Mission and State of Emergency - A Response to Mr. John Salza - Part B There is a constant change in the popular articles but one thing for certain is that Tradicat hits sync up with key events in the Catholic world. ... for those wondering ... no this blog is not monetized. P^3
+ JMJ Years (ok decades) ago I received the book The Practice of The Presence of God by Brother Lawrence ( wiki ) as a gift. When I finally did read the book (it is not long), it did affect my spiritual life and with the recent turmoil over the SSPX consecrations, I concluded that I should look into it once more by recounting events and decisions in my life that are linked to the book. The Conversation First, is the interiour conversation with God. Prayer is part of this, but it becomes something less structured and habitual in the Presence of God. In fact, when visiting a neighbour and he mentioned something about his past, I 'heard' a repeated - almost shouting - voice telling me to ask the question that popped into my mind. Once I thought, "Ok I will", the pleading stopped. In a gap in the discussion I asked the question and, instead of being offended it led to a deep conversation about their past. So listening is part of the practice, one which I need to work on...
+ JMJ This is the second article from Dr. Lamont from his lecture given in May 2014. P^3 Source Part A: Society of St. Hugh of Cluny Source Part B: Society of St. Hugh of Cluny 8 May2014 The Catholic Church and the Rule of Law- Part II By John Lamont To understand how the Jesuit conception of obedience departed from earlier conceptions, it is helpful to compare it with the teaching of St. Thomas on obedience. The fundamental difference between the two is that St. Thomas considers the proper object of obedience to be the precept of the superior (2a2ae q. 104 a. 2 co., ad 3). Obedience that seeks to forestall the expressed will of the superior does not bear on what the superior wants or thinks in general, but only on what the superior intends to command. St. Ignatius’s lowest degree of obedience, which he does not consider to be virtuous, is thus what St. Thomas considers to be the only form of obedience. St. Thomas holds that St. Ignatius’s alleged higher forms of o...
+ JMJ Obviously there's lots of events right now. First we have the April 1st - I almost thought it was April Fools - meeting between Pope Francis and Bishop Fellay. Nothing really news worthy as this is a natural progression as Rome appears to be considering fulfilling Archbishop Lefebvre's wish to 'accept us as we are'. Second we have the April 8th publication of what will be a verbose exhortation of the Synod of the Family. I'm willing to bet that the Pope will give with one hand (unilateral regularization of SSPX) and take with the other (ambiguous document that opens the flood gates of sin further). Much to pray for. P^3
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