(Rome / Menzingen) The Society of St. Pius X has thanked Pope Francis for the "fatherly gesture" with which he decreed that the absolution of sins by a priest of the SSPX during the Holy Year of mercy can be received "validly and licitly."
The General House, founded by Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre SSPX, published a corresponding communiqué. Meanwhile, contacts between the General Council of the Society and the competent authorities of the Holy See continue in looking for a solution that allows for full communion and the canonical recognition of the Society.
Communiqué of the General House of the SSPX to the Pope's Letter
The communiqué of the General House of the Society of St. Pius X to the Pope's letter Francis on the occasion of the approaching Holy Year in full text:
"The Society of St. Pius X has heard through the press, the dispositions of Pope Francis on the occasion of the coming Holy Year.
"In the last section of his letter, which he addressed to Archbishop Rino Fisichella, President of the Pontifical Council for Promoting the New Evangelization, the Holy Father writes: '[I] determine [...] In the meantime, in its own disposal, that those who during the Holy Year of Mercy receive the sacrament of reconciliation with the priests of the Fraternity of St. Pius X, will receive valid and licit absolution of their sins achieve.'
"The Fraternity expresses its gratitude to the Supreme Pontiff for his fatherly gesture. In the administration of the sacrament of penance we have always relied and with complete certainty, in the extraordinary jurisdiction, as asserted by the Normae generales of the Canon Law. On the occasion of this Jubilee Year, Pope Francis wants that all the faithful who wish to confess to the priests of the Fraternity of St. Pius X, can do so without any concern.
This year, the priests of the Fraternity of St. Pius X will return in their hearts, with renewed generosity to their posts as confessors. The example of the tireless efforts of St. Vianney has been given to all priests to follow.
Menzingen, the September 1, 2015
Text: Giuseppe Nardi
Image: Vatican Insider
Image: Vatican Insider
Trans: Tancred vekron99@hotmail.com
AMDG