"We are have thus arrived at a crucial point. Even if the letter strikes an unpleasant sound, there are legitimate hopes for a satisfactory solution," the letter reads.

The letter, in the name of Fr Franz Schmidberger, the district superior of Germany, says that a solution would strengthen the orthodox forces within the Church, and if a solution cannot be found the orthodox movement within the Church would be weakend.

"So it is not primarily about our brotherhood, but for the good of the Church," wrote Schmidberger.

He concludes his letter imploring the SSPX faithful, and all Catholics, to pray that the Church will be delivered through this crisis and led to new life.

Schmidberger was appointed as first successor to SSPX founder, Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre. Vatican Insider reports that Schmidberger is known for always adopting a path of dialogue with the Vatican leadership.

Sources

• Pius.info
• Vatican Insider
• Image: Katholisches

At a meeting between Bishop Bernard Fellay, superior general of SSPX and Cardinal William Levada, head of the Congregation of the Doctrine of Faith, Fellay received a document detailing the "doctrinal principles and criteria for the interpretation of Catholic doctrine" that SSPX must accept if it is to reconciled with Rome.

The unpublished document is expected to make reconciliation impossible unless SSPX accepts the reforms of Vatican II and the authority of the Pope.

In return, CNA reports, the Vatican has been very generous.

The Vatican has not given SSPX a deadline to sign the agreement, but Vatican spokesman, Fr Federico Lombardi SJ is expecting a decision within a few months.

Lombardi, scarce with details but said that if all goes well SSPX could be offered the status of a personal prelature in order to continue their pastoral initiatives.

The personal prelature would be similar to the Ordinariate offered to the Anglicans.

SSPX was founded in 1970 in response to what it called errors which had crept into the Catholic Church following Vatican II. Their relationship with Rome became strained when its founder, Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre consecrated four bishops against the direct request of Pope John Paul II.

In 2009 Pope Benedict set aside the excommunications of the Society's bishops in order to begin discussions with a view to restoring SSPX in full communion with Rome.

Sources

• Washington Post
• CNA
• Wikipedia
• Image: Documentation Information Catholiques Internationales

Bishop Bernard Fellay of the Society will meet with top officials who are trying to normalise relations.

The meeting will also include Cardinal William Levada, head of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

Talks between the two sides began in 2009 after Pope Benedict XVI lifted the 1988 excommunications of four SSPX bishops.

The talks focused on the modernizing reforms of the Second Vatican Council, which SSPX opposes. Pope Benedict XVI maintains that Vatican II must be interpreted in "continuity" with church tradition.

Vatican Insider is reporting the Vatican intends to offer SSPX a special structure similar to the "ordinariate" created for Anglicans who want to join the Catholic Church. The deal would require SSPX to give "full recognition" to Vatican II reforms.

Like the structure created for the Anglicans, a special SSPX ordinariate would allow the group to keep some of its own traditions.

Vatican Insider warns while representing a new step in the journey it is premature to provide conclusions for the September 14 meeting.

Sources

• Vatican Insider
• Huffington Post
• Image: The New Beginning