Summary
The Vatican’s doctrinal office has offered to initiate a structured theological dialogue with the Society of St. Pius X (SSPX) regarding contested questions tied to post-Vatican II teaching. However, they warned that any move by the traditionalist group to consecrate bishops without papal authorization would immediately halt negotiations and result in a “decisive rupture” of ecclesial communion, potentially leading to excommunication under canon law. The Vatican’s statement followed a meeting between Cardinal Víctor Manuel Fernández, prefect of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith, and Father Davide Pagliarani, the SSPX’s superior general. Both sides agreed on a specifically theological process with defined methodology for addressing these questions, which are related to interpretations of God’s will regarding religious plurality, distinctions between faith and submission of mind and will, and varying levels of assent required by Vatican II texts. The meeting took place in response to the SSPX’s announcement that they would consecrate bishops on July 1 without authorization from the Holy See. This situation echoes a previous issue in 1988 when Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre consecrated four bishops, leading to formal excommunication and a break in full communion with Rome.
Key Topics
Vatican City, SSPX, Canon Law
