The Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X (FSSPX) rejected a Doctrinal
Declaration proposed by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith
(CDF), which would have been followed by the granting of a canonical
status, Monsignor Guido Pozzo told LaNuovaBq.it on July 7.
A
meeting took place on 28 February 2018 at the Congregation between
Cardinal Luis Ladaria, then Prefect, Monsignor Guido Pozzo, and Bishop
Bernard Fellay.
Bishop Fellay said he would submit the
Declaration to the FSSPX General Chapter, scheduled for July 2018. At
that Chapter, on 11 July 2018, Father Davide Pagliarani was elected
Superior General.
In the autumn of 2018, Cardinal Ladaria and Monsignor Pozzo met with Father Pagliarani.
Monsignor
Pozzo on Fr Pagliarani: "He informed us that he would not sign the
Declaration, as he considered it insufficient and inadequate to address
the difficulties and critical issues raised by the FSSPX, and that Rome
would have to acknowledge its errors."
Why Ecclesia Dei Commission Was Abolished
Following
this refusal, Pope Francis, having been informed of the negative
outcome, decided to suppress the Ecclesia Dei Commission, which since
2009 had been engaged in doctrinal discussions with the FSSPX.
Monsignor
Pozzo said he was "very disappointed by the FSSPX's refusal - not least
because many points in the Declaration had been the result of joint
work during the dialogue that had taken place up to that point."
What the FSSPX Had to Sign in 2018
Regarding
Vatican II, the FSSPX was asked to affirm that the Church's Magisterium
is the authentic guardian and interpreter of Scripture and Tradition,
serving the Word of God rather than standing above it.
The
Declaration also required acceptance that Vatican II must be interpreted
in continuity with the Church's perennial Tradition and constant
Magisterium, while allowing legitimate theological discussion and
clarification on particular conciliar texts and subsequent liturgical
and canonical reforms.
Finally, the FSSPX was asked to recognise
the validity of the Mass and the sacraments celebrated according to the
liturgical books promulgated by Popes Paul VI and John Paul II.
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