Fifty years after Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre (1905-1991) founded the Priestly Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX), the ultra-traditionalist religious order that opposes the Church reforms stemming from the Second Vatican Council (1962-65) is still attracting vocations. It has 162 communities (or priories) in some 40 countries throughout the world and boasts of 675 priests. The Read more
Posts Tagged ‘SSPX’
Pope appoints expert to lead Society of St. Pius X talks
Thursday, April 4th, 2019Pope Francis appointed on Saturday a French Vatican official to oversee the care of religious communities of a traditional nature, and to assist with the regularization of the Society of St. Pius X. Msgr. Patrick Descourtieux becomes head of the section within the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith dealing with such communities. He Read more
Society of St Pius X new leader elected
Monday, July 16th, 2018
The Society of St Pius X (SSPX) has elected Italian priest Fr Davide Pagliarani as its new leader for the next 12 years. Pagliarani succeeds Bishop Bernard Fellay. Jean-Marie Guénois, religion correspondent at French newspaper Le Figaro, said Bishop Fellay had been “ousted” in favour of a candidate who opposes further rapprochement with the Vatican. Read more
Traditionalist SSPX sacraments approved
Thursday, April 6th, 2017
Pope Francis has set the scene for the Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX) to have the marriages it celebrates validated. This is one of a number of the Pope’s initiatives that aim to bring SSPX into full communion with the Church. A letter from the Vatican to Catholic bishops said they will be allowed Read more
Huge gap separates Pope Francis from liturgical tradionalists
Friday, July 22nd, 2016
From the moment Pope Francis was elected on March 13, 2013 it was clear that a huge gap separated him from the so-called Catholic traditionalists – on liturgy, ecclesiology, ecumenism, moral theology and the Church’s social doctrine. Despite their constant attacks against him, the pope showed a remarkable restraint towards the traditionalists – and not Read more
Traditionalist SSPX says Pope has encouraged errors
Friday, July 1st, 2016
A statement from the traditionalist Society of St Pius X indicates that a new attempt at reconciliation with Rome has stalled. According to the statement, issued by SSPX superior general Bishop Bernard Fellay, the society “does not primarily seek recognition from the Vatican”. Bishop Fellay met Pope Francis for the first time in April. For Read more
Pope warns against clericalism in making laity deacons
Friday, May 20th, 2016In a wide-ranging interview, Pope Francis has spoken about sexual abuse, the Society of St Pius X and clericalising laity by making them deacons. Pope Francis told French newspaper La Croix that it is often a mistake to “clericalise” talented laity by turning them into deacons. “In Buenos Aires, I have known many good priests Read more
Pope might normalise SSPX despite Vatican II differences
Friday, April 29th, 2016
The Society of St Pius X might get regular canonical status in the Church without having to recognise certain texts of Vatican II. An internal SSPX memo indicates the traditionalist society could be ready to accept if Pope Francis made an appropriate offer. But that would be conditional on the provision of “an appropriate ecclesial Read more
Signs Pope might extend SSPX Confession authorisation
Friday, April 15th, 2016
Pope Francis has reportedly promised to extend indefinitely his recognition of Confessions heard by priests of the traditionalist Society of St Pius X. Last September, Francis decreed that during the Holy Year of Mercy, anyone who confesses their sins to an SSPX priest will be considered validly forgiven. Now, SSPX superior Bishop Bernard Fellay has Read more
Bishop Williamson will illicitly ordain second bishop
Friday, February 26th, 2016Traditionalist Bishop Richard Williamson plans to ordain another bishop without permission from Rome. Bishop Williamson, who was dismissed from the Society of St Pius X in 2012, told followers the ordination will happen in Brazil on March 19. Last year, he presided at the ordination of a bishop, also in Brazil. Bishop Williamson said the Read more