It is almost a year now since the conclusion of the theological talks between the Society of St. Pius X and the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. More than five months have passed since the General Superior of that priestly society received from the Vatican dicastery a “Doctrinal Preamble” which, the CDF maintains, must be “the fundamental basis for achieving full reconciliation with the Apostolic See.”
After studying the document carefully and consulting with local SSPX superiors, Bishop Bernard Fellay sent a response to Rome on December 1.
No doubt it recommended revisions to the wording of the Preamble, a process that the CDF had expressly anticipated and allowed.
The CDF then wrote requesting clarification of the response, which the SSPX promptly supplied.
Despite breathless announcements since then by certain Italian Vatican watchers–who had read none of the documents they claimed to be reporting on–spokesmen for the SSPX insist that there was no “second response” (which would imply a shift in position) and no definitive rejection of the Doctrinal Preamble.
Continue reading: So near and yet so far: Assessing talks between SSPX and the Vatican
Image source: The Catholic World Report