Our Johnny-On-The-Spot friends at Rorate have an English version of an interview with SSPX Bishop and Superior Bernard Fellay. Here is a part.
The Swiss daily Le Temps published today the first interview granted to journalist Patricia Briel by Bishop Bernard Fellay, Superior General of the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X (FSSPX / SSPX), after the remission of excommunications made public last Saturday.
The full text:– Do you condemn the negationist declarations of Bishop Williamson?
– [Fellay:] It does not belong to me to condemn them. I do not have the competence for his. But I deplore that a Bishop may have given the impression of involving the Fraternity with a view that is not ours.
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– In your letter to the faithful of January 24 [PDF], you display your desire to examine, with Rome, the deeper causes of the "unprecedented crisis which afflicts the Church today". What are these causes?
– [Fellay:] In the essence, this crisis is caused by a new approach to the world, a new view of man, that is, an anthropocentrism which consists of an exaltation of man and a forgetfulness of God. The arrival of modern philosophies, with their less precise language, has led to confusion in theology.
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– Ecumenism and religious liberty are at the center of the criticisms you make of Vatican II
– [Fellay:] The quest for unity of all in the Mystical Body of the Church is our dearest desire. Nonetheless, the method that is used is not appropriate. Today, there is such a focus on the points which unite us to other Christian confessions that those which separate us are forgotten. We believe that those who have left the Catholic Church, that is, the Orthodox and the Protestants, should come back to it. We conceive ecumenism as a return to the unity of Truth.
Regarding religious liberty, it is necessary to distinguish two situations: the religious liberty of the person, and the relations between Church and State. Religious liberty implies liberty of conscience. We agree with the fact that there is not a right to force anyone to accept a religion. As for our reflection on the relations between Church and State, it is based on the principle of tolerance. It seems clear to us that there where there are multiple religions, the State should be watchful of their good coexistence and peace. Nevertheless, there is but one religion that is true, and the others are not. But we tolerate this situation for the good of all.
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I agree with what he said.
Don’t you?
Go read the rest at Rorate and spike their stats a bit! Tell ‘m Fr. Z sent ya!
I agree completely and this further reinforces my view that he is a true leader and also one who has the respect and admiration of not only Cardinal Castrillon-Hoyos but, I suspect, the Holy Father as well. Let us hope that in his discussions with curia representatives he evokes that same admiration and respect.
…yes, and here you can see the dualistic methodology of presenting facts and reality, still much a part of the SSPX mind which bears the mark of DUPLICITY. “The Excommunications:Why They Never Existed.”
— January 24, 2009
Found here:
http://www.sspx.org/sspx_media_brochure.pdf
I agree with this statement as Fr. Z has quoted it. It is a statement said very broadly; the proverbial devil is proverbally in the proverbial details. Still, it looks like the atmosphere, the climate, is changing for the better, toward union. Deo gratias.
I have said on another occasion that it is semi-Pelegian to coerce someone’s faith. +Fellay might say it differently, yet he comes down to the right place.
It sounds a lot better than the other soundbites I’ve heard from them. However they have plenty of articles on their website which continue to make me feel… queasy. I hope those are addressed. Soon.
Yes I do agree with you.
It still stands that Rome has made every concession so far. They climbed down over making acceptance of Vatican II a prerequisite of reunion and they have, as Fellay asked, rescinded the excommunications. At least one SSPX source has been chortling that the SSPX have not had to make any compromises.
I was one of those who prayed and fasted last June, at your request Fr Z. The return of the SSPX is dear to my heart, but the militant language in some quarters, the open satisfaction at having got one up on Rome does not bode well. I am hopeful that the majority of the SSPX don’t think like this. After all, there were some in the Society who ‘rejoiced’ at the original excommunications. Anyone capable of doing this does not understand the grave consequences, or the authority of the Church.
Still, I trust Pope Benedict. He is a man of great and transparent holiness and against such goodness the world has no answers.
Bravo +Fellay!
The SSPX english website seems to be somewhat out of date, particularly the FAQ. It’s certainly pre Motu Proprio. I always wondered if it reflected a certain strand of the SSPX rather the organization itself. I don’t think it’s a good gauge of the SSPX’s position; but then again, it’s their responsibility, particularly when they’re now receiving public scrutiny.
That there is a hard-line faction in the SSPX is, I think, obvious to most observers but Bishop Fellay is not one of them. He speaks for the Society – no one else. Thank God for that!
We believe that those who have left the Catholic Church, that is, the Orthodox and the Protestants, should come back to it.
Um…I think he left out the SSPX.
Smart man.
BillyHW…
I think the point of his statement there is that he feels that the Catholic Church has left them, not the other way around. While there are many obstacles in the way, I have to believe that Bp.Fellay very seriously desires the Catholic Church to return to it’s traditions. In that respect, I don’t think he is pushing an agenda, but is following what he sees as the truth…
“Um… I think he left out the SSPX.”
How true!
I see a real convergence happening. The criticisms here seem measured and constructive. There are many aspects all can agree upon:
1) Clearly and publicly rebuking the unacceptable behavior of +Williamson
2) The confusion introduced by modern philosophy
3) Opposition to Ecumenism as it has been in practice — not in principle or in its objectives for visible unity.
4) Seeking clarity on Religious Liberty and Church/State relations — the duty of the state to protect the common good and peaceful coexistence and the role of tolerance.
Almighty God has raised up two extraordinary men in our times to heal the wounds in the Mystical Body – His Holiness Pope Benedict XVI and Bishop Fellay of the FSSPX. Can there be any doubt that they will succeed despite all the obstacles? Methinks not. May the grace of God sustain them in the work ahead.