I just got word that the Holy See has raised the Institute of Christ the King to be of Pontifical Right, rather than merely of Diocesan Right.
From the ICK website we get this:
On the feast day of Our Lady, Queen of the Holy Rosary, the Vice-President of the Commission Ecclesia Dei, Very Reverend Monsignor Camille Perl, has read in our Seminary chapel the official decree by which, in the name of the Holy Father, the Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest was erected to the status of a Society of Apostolic Life of Pontifical Right. Also our Sisters Adorers of the Royal Heart of Jesus received the status of Pontifical Right. The Decree was signed by His Eminence Dario Cardinal Castrillon Hoyos.
Congratulations to the Institute!
Brick by brick, folks.
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OK, I am a little slow, but what does this mean exactly? In practical terms?
The “What are we?” page at http://www.fssp.org says “The Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter is a Clerical Society of Apostolic Life of Pontifical right, that is, a community of Roman Catholic priests who do not take religious vows, but who work together for a common mission in the world.”
As of this moment, the “Who we are?” page at http://www.institute-christ-king.org says “The Institute of Christ the King Sovereign Priest is a society of apostolic life whose goal is the honor of God and the sanctification of priests in the service of the Church and souls.”
Father,
This is interesting news. Can you comment further on the import of this? I run a Traditional Vocations blog, and would be happy to publish your thoughts on this? Please let me know.
Best wishes,
Mark
Father Z, thanks for sharing this marvelous news. I live around Chicago and have seen first hand what marvelous things these priests do,
both from the liturgical and teaching perspective. They’re tops! Tom
Reminder: I don’t allow “anonymous” comments.
Well, now it’s happened. Good !
In practical terms, I don’t think it will make any difference to the apostolate of the ICKSP, will it ?
Fr. Z will correct me if I’m wrong, but I think the ICKSP will still need to be invited to work in a diocese by the bishop.
Dr. Wright: In practical terms there will not be much impact. Still… this is a good move. It is a sign of approval on the part of the Holy See.
Father, does this make it easier for the Holy Father to elevate members of the Institute to bishop? I’m thinking of Msgr Wach and Msgr Schmidt. [Not really. And I doubt any of that will happen. There is a change in atmosphere, surely, but the climate change is much much slower. I wouldn’t think in those terms.]
Meant Msgr Schmitz.
Quite a significant jump for the sisters I think, and in pretty much record time for these days – I’m pretty sure they were only a (private?)association of the faithful previously.
Also probably a helpful move for both the Institute and the Sisters given that they’ve lost their AB who was rather sympathetic to tradition..