Ball in SSPX court: Vatican spokesman

Responding to the Vatican’s offer of a personal prelature, akin to a diocese without boarders, the Society of St Pius X (SSPX) says the offer could lead to a new round of discussions.

SSPX Superior General, Bishop Bernard Fellay said doctrinal difficulties with the teaching of the Vatican II and the subsequent liturgical reform were the sticking points to reconciliation.

Earlier, a meeting between Fellay and Cardinal William Levada, prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, with their assistants, saw the Vatican present its evaluation of the situation, including the opinion of Pope Benedict.

It was the Vatican’s hope that an opportunity for reflection would lead SSPX to full communion with Rome.

The Vatican, through its spokesman Fr Federico Lombardi, SJ said “the ball is in the Society’s court”.

Vatican Radio reports the Vatican would engage with Fellay and each the other three SSPX bishops separately and singularly.
Among the three other SSPX bishops is the Holocaust-denying Bishop Richard Williamson, whose anti-Semitic comments the Vatican has previously said would require separate discussions.

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