Rome, Italy, Aug 30, 2005 / 22:00 pm
The schismatic Society of St. Pius X (SSPX) says the first step toward reconciliation and recognition of the group within the Church should come from Rome.
The Society split with the Church in 1988 when its founder, Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, ordained four traditionalist bishops in defiance of the Holy See.
“The Society of St. Pius X prays that the Holy Father can find the strength to bring an end to this crisis in the Church, establishing all things in Christ,” stated Bishop Bernard Fellay, superior of the Society in a communiqué after a 35-minute meeting with the Pope Monday, reported AGI (Agenzia Giornalistica Italia).
“The meeting was an occasion for the Society to express that it has always been attached, and always will be, to the Holy See,” said the bishop, who was ordained without papal permission.