What next for the Vatican-SSPX talks?
Leaders of the traditionalist Society of St. Pius X (SSPX) report that they will not respond directly to what some observers have called an “ultimatum” from the Vatican. But the SSPX has not ignored the Vatican’s message, either. The talks continue. A spokesman for Bishop Bernard Fellay, the superior of the SSPX, has confirmed to the French newspaper La Croix that the traditionalist bishop has written to Cardinal Dario Castrillon Hoyos, the president of the Ecclesia Dei commission, responding to the cardinal’s message setting forth the conditions that the SSPX must meet to achieve reconciliation with the Holy See. “The Fraternity has no intention to respond to this ultimatum,” said Father Alain Lorans, the SSPX spokesman. Yet Bishop Fellay did respond. The conversations continue. What are we to make of this odd response– or non-response? Last week, before Vatican-watcher Andrea Tornielli revealed the contents of Cardinal Castrillon’s letter, Bishop Fellay told an audience at an SSPX s
