Do you remember that I wryly posted that it will be a pleasure to see priests of the SSPX attending deanery meetings and being elected to presbyteral councils?
Our friends at Rorate are vigilant. They posted this good brick by brick news!
On Holy Thursday, Cardinal Jean-Pierre Ricard, archbishop of Bordeaux, hosted all the priests of his diocese for dinner. Taking to heart the recent decision of the pope (the lifting of excommunication of the bishops of the FSSPX on January 21st), he invited all Catholic priests and priors who exercise ministry within the Archdiocese of Bordeaux and Bazas, including the prior of the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X – marking the first time he’s dined with his Diocesan confreres or other communities, especially those dependant on the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei. The Cardinal recalled the speech made by Benedict XVI in France last September:
"No one is too many in the Church. Everyone, without exception, must be able to feel at home and never feel rejected."
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His exceeding generosity and unparalleled magnanimity are the actions that will bring about the fullest levels of Communion within the Church. Such a humble gesture, to invite the prior to dine at his very table in so clear and close imitation of Christ Jesus, setting aside all differences so as to better fulfill the Holy Father’s vision, is no small feat.
Would that we could all be willing to risk shame in the media, the ire of friends, and the grumbling of fellow co-workers in the vineyard to so well serve Holy Mother Church. One hopes the faithful of Bordeaux recognizes the great gift they have been given by the Holy Spirit in Cardinal Ricard.
This man should be praised roundly for his courageous action.
Praying that Cardinal Gaudencio Rosales of Manila will follow the example of Cardinal Jean-Pierre Ricard…
A simple, graceful, magnanimous act. We can see why he is a Prince of the Church.
Fantastic!
Am I wrong, or is there a confusion here between SSPX and FSSP?
The Society of St.Pius X is the group we are talking about I presume, yet I am seeing the name of the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter.
MaryAnn,
The SSPX’s official name is “Fraternal Society of St. Pius the Tenth.” I believe the only reason they say SSPX rather than FSSP is not to confuse the two groups.
Some years ago, SSPX clergy at their North of England outpost, based in Preston, had excellent relationships with likeminded diocesan clergy. That ceased when the then District Superior was moved. Now the UK is in the hands of, with exceptions, hardline (American) thinking clergy, where Charity is clearly not on the agenda.
Karl,
You missed out the ‘priestly’/sacerdotal which adds the second S.
So the Pixies (as the French will say) are FSSPX vs. the FSSP of the Fraternity.
And yes, everyone leaves off the first F because it is less confuddling.
This is great news, but shoddy reporting…no mention of the wine served.
I wonder if the priests in attendance all wore cassocks and birettas, or if the SSPX made the rest look casual, I can just see it now tweedy sweaters, suit jackets and dockers and one lone priest in a full cassock, quite a sight in my mind ;>)
This could only do good things….the example set by traditional societies is badly needed in this world.
Why it almost makes me want to invite modernists out to lunch with me.
I wish my Shepard would do such a gesture.
We are watching an incredible drama unfolding. If it were not for Abp. Lefebvre and the four bishops, there would be no return to the Traditional FAITH (that is REALLY why they are so despised) and to the dogmas of SIN and the possibility of ETERNAL DAMNATION. History will reflect that this group played the same role in the Church as St. Athanasius and his followers against the Arians in the fourth century. What an incredible and blessed time to be alive at this moment in history!
On a very light note (I do apologize), Woody Allen did an “interview” years ago in which he stated that he had been kidnapped by aliens and taken up in their spaceship, only to be released hours later. He said their facility with English was quite good except they kept confusing the words “hermeneutic” and “heuristic”.
“No one is too many in the Church. Everyone, without exception, must be able to feel at home and never feel rejected.”
Unless they believe in the so-called “Spirit of Vatican II”, in which case they deserve, what’s the delightful Christian phrase I keep reading? Oh yes, the biological solution.
yeah, lovely n’all.
But it takes two to tango. So let’s hope this brave and admirable move encourages SSPXers to open their hearts and reach out as well.