Pope Benedict lifts excommunication of bishops ordained by Lefebvre

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Comments: 32

Mons. Bernard Fellay and the Pope

Vatican City, Jan 24, 2009 / 09:20 am (CNA).- Pope Benedict XVI has lifted the excommunication of the four bishops from the Society of St. Pius X (SSPX) ordained by Marcel Lefebvre in 1988 in a decision he hopes will lead to “real and final unity.”

A press release from the Vatican reveals that after dialogue between the Holy See and SSPX, represented by its Superior General, Bishop Bernard Fellay and his request in a letter on behalf of the other three bishops in the Society, Most Reverend Bernard Tissier de Mallerais, Most Reverend Richard Williamson and Most Reverend Alfonso del Gallareta, the Holy Father has decided to lift “the excommunication in which they had incurred twenty years ago.”

The statement, released in Italian, recalls that because the Episcopal consecrations of June 30, 1988 were performed by Marcel Lefebvre without pontifical mandate, “the four aforementioned Prelates had incurred the excommunication latae sententiae, formally declared by the Congregation of Bishops on date July 1st 1988.”

A press release from the Vatican quotes the words of a letter from Bishop Fellay to the Holy Father: “we are always firmly determined in the will to remain Catholic and to put all of our energy to the service of the Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ, which is the Roman Catholic Church. We accept Her teachings with filial spirit. We firmly believe in the Primacy of Peter and his prerogatives, and because of that we suffer greatly by the current situation.”

The release continues by explaining that the Holy Father, who has followed the Church’s relationship with SSPX from the beginning, “has always tried to heal the fracture with the Society, even personally meeting Bishop Bernard Fellay,” in August 2005.

“On such occasion, the Supreme Pontiff expressed his will to proceed gradually and in reasonable stages down such path and now, with pastoral concern and fatherly mercy, by means of a decree from the Congregation of Bishops dated January 21, 2009, revokes the excommunication applied to the aforementioned Prelates.”

“The Holy Father has been inspired in this decision by the hope of reaching the soonest possible full reconciliation and complete communion,” the statement concludes.

The Decree

The Decree from the Congregation of Bishops begins by recalling a letter dated December 15, 2008 written by Bishops Bernard Fellay on behalf of the other three bishops who were consecrated on June 30, 1988. The letter, addressed to Cardinal Darío Castrillón Hoyos, President of the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei, “requested the lifting of the excommunication latae sententiae formally declared by decree of the Prefect of this Congregation for Bishops dated July 1st 1988.”

The Congregation’s decree quotes the passage from Bishop Fellay’s letter released by the Vatican Press office and continues: “His Holiness Benedict XVI – fatherly sensitive to the spiritual suffering expressed by those who face the sanction of excommunication” and who also trusts in the bishop’s commitment “not spare any effort to further engage in the necessary dialogue with the authorities of the Holy See over the unanswered questions…has decided to reconsider the canonical situation of bishops Bernard Fellay, Bernard Tissier de Mallerais, Richard Williamson and Alfonso de Galarreta created by their episcopal consecration.”

“With this act –the decree continues- we wish to consolidate the mutual relations of trust and intensify and provide stability to the relation of the Society of St. Pius X with this Apostolic See.”

“This gift of peace, concluding the Christmas celebrations, wishes to also be a sign for promoting the unity in charity of the Universal church and to achieve the elimination of the scandal of division,” the decree states.

“We hope that this step may be followed by the caring accomplishment of the full communion with the Church of the whole Society of St. Pius X, thus witnessing true fidelity and truthful recognition of the Magisterium and the Pope’s authority with the proof of visible unity.”

“On behalf of the faculties expressly granted by the Holy Father Benedict XVI, in virtue of the current decree, I lift the censure of excommunication latae sententiae to Bishops Bernard Fellay, Bernard Tissier de Mallerais, Richard Williamson and Alfonso de Galarreta declared by this Congregation on July 1, 1988, while I declare null of juridical consequences, as of today, the decree released in the past.”

The decree is signed by Cardinal Giovanni Battista Re, Prefect of the Congregation of Bishops, on January 21, 2009.

Comments: 32

Subscriber comments:

Published by: emily sanchez
Maasin city, so. leyte ,philippines 12/22/2009 08:35 AM EST

why some bishops and priests hardly understand the real essence why pope benedict VI lifted the excommunication of the SSPX bishops... simple, he based it from the dogma...God bless MAASIN!

Published by: emily sanchez
Maasin city, so. leyte ,philippines 12/22/2009 08:25 AM EST

am looking forward that all the bishops will go back to traditional latin mass. SSPX has done it, may you all bishops, priests will do too. If you will faLL, MANY WILL FOLLOW. bUT IF YOU FOLLOW THE DOGMA, YOU CAN NEVER BE WRONG AND WE'LL NEVER BE...Please, clergy pray the rosary together with the faithful. Don't leave us alone without you... We seldom see you thoughtful to you vocation..what can you expect then? We love you, please love our souls too... thank you

Published by: leo pila
Philippines 01/30/2009 07:43 AM EST

im glad that the lifting of excommunication to the 4 bishops of sspx has been realized.let traditional Catholicism and traditional mass prevail in the roman catholic church. long live the pope!

Published by: Jack
Wantagh, NY 01/26/2009 07:41 AM EST

Great news from Pope Benedict XVI, God Belss him !!! I hope this will open up the way for the Latin Mass to be celebrated more often in our parishes.

Published by: Stephen Maus
El Paso, TX 01/26/2009 07:15 AM EST

Rate: Very Good

The SSPX is not this radical dissenting group that some here seem to believe. They have always recognized the authority of Rome and never viewed themselves as a "separate" entity. And oddly enough, whereas in the "mainstream" church where many vocations are lost and often young people stray from Catholic teaching (so-called "liberal" or "lapsed" Catholics), the Society has been steadily growing and attracting vocations, as well as young people. Simply because the Society adheres to centuries of Church teaching that predates John Paul II does not mean they are backward or mistaken. In the guise of ecumenism, the Church has far too often watered down its position on certain issues, and in essence caved to pressures of the world. To quote a phrase, "What is right may not always be popular, and what is popular may not always be right." For the past several years, the Society has presented the Pope with "Spiritual bouquets" - accumulated Rosaries and Masses said by Society members on his behalf, numbering in the millions. I dare you to tell me that these same people are simply misguided, "bad" Catholics. I have met all four Society bishops, and they are all devout, religious men who work hard for their respective "flocks". And as to the criticisms of Vatican II, well, suffice it to say that in America that doctrine has been taken to shocking degrees of abuse and self-interpretation, and resulted in a very Protestant-inspired "show" in many churches rather than a mass.

Published by: Francis Mah
Penang, Malaysia 01/26/2009 12:21 AM EST

Deao Gratias, Alleluia:
With God's grace, at last all the traditionlist who attend the True Mass /Tridentine Mass can walk out from the so called guilty feeling or did not dare to tell others we are from sspx. But we have to be careful , Rome is a big family, there are many who still oppose to His Holiness generosity. We are must pray hard for His Holiness,, never know how Satan work through some otehrs who did not want the slpendid glorious of Roman Catholic Church back in "order".

Published by: Erin B
USA 01/25/2009 05:56 PM EST

Have a look around an SSPX website sometime, and you will quickly find "slanderous accusations". Most of them are little short of gleeful falsehoods about John Paul II, Vatican II, and other signs of Papal authority which they have abrogated with a shocking arrogance.

Published by: Angelo
NYS 01/25/2009 03:11 PM EST

We express our filial gratitude to the Holy Father for this gesture which, beyond the Priestly Society of Saint Pius X, will benefit the whole Church. Our Society wishes to be always more able to help the pope to remedy the unprecedented crisis which presently shakes the Catholic world, and which Pope John Paul II had designated as a state of “silent apostasy.” (Bishop Bernard Fellay, SSPX Superior General)
N.B.
THIS GESTURE (OF THE HOLY FATHER) GOES BEYOND THE SSPX;
IT WILL BENEFIT THE ENTIRE CHURCH.

Published by: Agnes
Texas, USA 01/25/2009 01:32 PM EST

I have relatives who are with the SSPX and we have prayed for them for years, and have always tried our best to show charity and respect to them. I am so happy of the recent news. Something we have prayed so long for. I hope the SSPX will be welcomed back with much love and understanding by all Catholics. And I pray that the SSPX will grow more and more in understanding, prudence and charity. Catholics today my have many different opinions on their faith, but charity, patience and above all obedience to Our Dear Holy Father, is essential for unity. Thanks be to God for his mercy and goodness. How grateful I am today! How great is the power of prayer!

Published by: Noel Muscat
Jerusalem, Israel 01/25/2009 11:09 AM EST

Bishop Fellay has declared: "We are always firmly determined in the will to remain Catholic and to put all of our energy to the service of the Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ, which is the Roman Catholic Church."
I personally have some doubts about the sincerity of this statement. To which Church is Bishop Fellay referring? If he and his fellow bishops followed Marcel Lefebvre, they know very well that the problem between their Society and the Catholic Church does not regard simply the Tridentine Mass, but a much more serious question, namely the validity of the Church doctrine of Vatican Council II. Giving them the faculty to celebrate the Tridentine Mass is one thing. Recognising them as "Catholic" in the authentic sense of this term is another.
Another question comes to my mind at this stage. How come the Episcopal Conferences all over the world remain so silent at this flagrant insult to the efforts of Blessed John XXIII, Paul VI, and John Paul II?

Published by: John
Cape Coral Florida 01/25/2009 08:23 AM EST

Thank God for this Pope. Yes SSPX does not except the Novus Ordo. The Pope has stated in his letter to the Bishops that the Novus Ordo has lead to a Deformation of the liturgy. Why would I support a Mass and Catechism that has lead our church to a Mass that is more like a Protestant Service. I do not attend SSPX I help with the FSSP Latin Mass Society in Fort Myers and I am extreemly happy SSPX is coming back in full communion with the church. Maybe those Bishops in the Novus Ordo that are not complying with Pope's wishes that the church return to tradition should be Excommunicated. After vatican two our church went from 400,00 Priest world wide to 200,000. The same for Nuns who used to run the Catholic schools making it affordable. 5% of European Catholics attend mass when 70% attended prior to Vatican II. 27% of Catholics attend Mass in the USA when 70% attended Pror to Vatican II. We did not come back to tradition because the Church just felt like it, It was a matter of necesity.

God Bless our Pope

Published by: christopher
australia 01/25/2009 03:54 AM EST

How often it occurs, when the Church makes a wonderfully positive pronouncement such as this, that criticisms are made on grounds that have nothing to do with the substance of the matter! This lifting of the ban of excommunication has nothing to do with the holocaust.

Published by: SJS
Scottsdale AZ USA 01/25/2009 12:08 AM EST

I am astounded at the vitriolic and false slurs thrown at the SSPX (implicit anti-Semitic innuendo) or the false claim of disobedience and 'insulting the magisterium.' As for the latter, how many priests openly advocate gay marriage, contradict moral teaching, and deliberately cause intellectual confusion, and somehow they nothing is done to them. Yet a group that repeatedly professes sincere moral reservations about the now shown-to-be false abrogation of the Mass of Trent, the internally contradictory statements of Vat2 (Are all faiths morally equivalent? That is prohibited according the the Denziger Index),and the deliberate efforts to change what the Church has always taught (Nancy Pelosi, Fr Pfleger, Fr Peter Liuzzi, many others too numerous to list)--THAT group should be proscribed? Well, here is what I see when I go to the contemporary "Novus Ordo" Mass: talking, shallow teaching, disorder, restlessness, noise.
Here is what you will see,if you care to, when you go to the SSPX Mass: silence, reverence, solid fearless true teaching as the Church has always taught, order, and peace. So, if you put a false thing besides a true thing, you quickly know the difference.

Published by: Kristin
Florida 01/24/2009 08:19 PM EST

Rate: Regular

Though I am glad for bringing the church together. Allowing those who consider the holocaust nonexistent is a liar and till he renounces such a horrible sin, should not be allowed to practice in the church. This won't help in gaining ground between the Catholic church and Judaism. Catholics who do not agree with these four men should speak up against such idiocy.

Published by: JJ
Feeding Hills MA USA 01/24/2009 08:00 PM EST

Why does believing incorrect historical information make you a racist?If I don't believe the battle of Gettysburg was ever fought does that make me un-American or just uninformed?Should I be barred from the Church??

Published by: Allison Walter
Milwaukee, WI USA 01/24/2009 07:35 PM EST

I'm confused. Does this mean that the Society has accepted the validity of the post-Vatican II Novus Ordo Mass, which they have denigrated for years? Can Catholics from the post-Vatican II church now participate in Society Masses (and receive communion)?

Published by: SImone Skalsgaard
Copenhagen 01/24/2009 06:27 PM EST

The moral of this historical moment? You can willfully insult the Magesterium, parade around mocking its dictums and leader. But it all can be swept under the rug, to ensure no one's long-term feeling are hurt.

Published by: Donna Procher
Innisfil, ON Canada 01/24/2009 04:56 PM EST

A most interesting development. Having just browsed through the Articles Index of sspx.org, I find myself puzzled as to why the SSPX desires union with Rome. Clearly the website indicates the SSPX rejects the Novus Ordo Missae, Vatican II, the Indult Mass and the Fraternity of St Peter. If they truly wish union, then shall we be expecting the tone of the SSPX website will quickly shift?

Published by: john hartnett
cocolorado springs, co. USA 01/24/2009 04:44 PM EST

One now prays that the full body of priests and laity under the pascal care of the SSPX bishops all these years will devote themselves to unity with the Church and focus their energies constructively upon Her renewal,in our common struggle against the evils of this age, especially as they have afflicted The Church.

Published by: Jacques Godfrin
Greenwood SC USA 01/24/2009 04:10 PM EST

But if they were not ordained by proper Catholic Church authority, doesn't that mean that they are no longer bishops in the Catholic Church?

Published by: Aimee Cooper
Denver 01/24/2009 03:28 PM EST

Paul Jeffries: regarding the "Holocaust" headlines in the mainstream news: A more accurate news headline would read, if only religion journalists knew what they were talking about, “Pope refuses to allow extreme political views of a single bishop to prevent return to communion of thousands of faithful Catholics.” Now that’s good news!

Published by: Reno Liegghio
Vatican City State 01/24/2009 03:21 PM EST

Bishop Williamson was NOT speaking as a Bishop when this question was directed at him in the broadcast - therefore he was not answering of the faith of the morals of Holy Mother Church. He was speaking as an individual - nothing more - nothing less!
This is the day The Lord have made - let us be glad and rejoice at the glorios decision of the Vicar of Jesuc Christ on Earth to take the action he has today on lifting the excommunications.

Published by: Al B
Fresno,Ca.USA 01/24/2009 03:00 PM EST

All final and Eternal Ex-Communications are done at the "Beatific Vision",are they Not??Humans do not prevail against the Body of Christ,protector of His Church.

Published by: TruthBtold
USA 01/24/2009 02:35 PM EST

This day is long overdue. Thank you Pope Benedict XVI for your courage and insight. Now the SSPX can resume with the TRADITIONS of our Catholic faith. We owe our gratitude to the SSPX for retaining and keeping alive and well the LATIN MASS! Thanks you Lord!

Published by: Paul List
Hinesburg, VT USA 01/24/2009 02:26 PM EST

Other faults may be present in those whose excommunication has been lifted, but these were not the cause for their excommunication in the first place. It's a sadder day when people are so confused as to the nature of the Church, which doesn't banish those members who are also sinners. Perhaps Paul from London would care the ‘cast the first stone’?

Published by: Bob Kovacs
Quakertown/PA/USA 01/24/2009 12:59 PM EST

Rate: Excellent

God Bless Pope Benedict XVI and the SSPX. Great news!!.

Published by: Ted Webber
Wellington, Colorado, USA 01/24/2009 12:57 PM EST

Deo Gratias

Published by: Joan Haverty
New York 01/24/2009 11:43 AM EST

I am overjoyed! The SSPX are no longer treated as lepers but
as true followers of the Roman Catholic Church! Without the Sacred Tradition,there is nothing to pass on to our children!

Published by: Helmut Hein
Rex, GA, USA 01/24/2009 10:52 AM EST

Deo Gratias!

Published by: Scott
Australia 01/24/2009 10:36 AM EST

This is an extremely important event in the history of the Church. Let us thank God this truly wonderful development. Long Live Pope Benedict the Wise!

Published by: Miriam Jenner
North Wales 01/24/2009 10:30 AM EST

Deo Gratias! Over a million rosaries were pledged by supporters of the SSPX to pray for this dissolving of the excommunications.

Published by: Paul Jeffries
London, UK 01/24/2009 09:51 AM EST

Rate: Regular

It's a sad day when a Holocaust denier and supporter of neo-nazi KKK man David Duke, Bishop Williamson, is readmitted to the church. So much for building bridges between faiths.

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