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 Now THIS is probably the most important news item in the last two years - yes I place this above the pandemic. I'm only surprised by how long it took for this to surface during this pontificate. I hope and pray that it is false or that if it comes to pass that somehow some good will arise out of the ashes of Summorum Pontificum. P^3 Courtesy of Rorate-Caeli URGENT: Pope tells Italian Bishops he plans to abolish the motu proprio Summorum Pontificum (Updated) Update (May 26): Rorate's additional sources in Rome have confirmed this Wednesday that Francis has indeed a text on Summorum Pontificum lined up, which has been developed for months, but what is not known at this point is if the text is just about a more limited take on the Summorum application questionnaire (first revealed by us in the spring of 2020) or about an overhaul of Summorum Pontificum in general: drafts could be dealing with both matters. It is also not impossible for a text to come ou...
+ JMJ Since I'm looking at the 'four things', I thought this article would be good. Unfortunately, with the new SSPX.org website, I've been unable to locate the original article. This is a copy the I emailed to myself. This is an article that, I believe, was written in response to a conference given by Msgr. Pozzo. P^3
+ JMJ Bishop Fellay gave a conference late last month and provided some more insight into the situation with Rome. There are comments on Deus Ex Machina Blog and Hilary White has now entered the fray. What is one Catholic to think about all these opinions? What a Catholic is to think: With the Church! What does the Church think about obedience? Virtue as it is? If there is no proximate occasion of sin and the other conditions are met, then one cannot resist the command.
+ JMJ Pope Francis definitely has Catholics and non-Catholics alike shaking their heads. One can pick just about any statement to find some more mind-bending modernism. I've noticed bloggers who are normally calm are ... for lack of a better word ... exploding with anger and frustration at the antics of the current occupant of the See of Peter.
+ JMJ Are the Dogmas of the Catholic Church important? Apparently not. At least not if it is a 'stumbling block' (read: Archbishop Bugnini) between our separated brethren (read: schismatic & orthodox). But I'm getting ahead of myself ...
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