NeoSSPX Watch: SSPX Bishop Alfonso de Galarreta Warns of Agreement with Rome?
On
Sunday, January 17, 2016, Bp. Alfonso de Galarreta of the Society of
St. Pius X gave a conference at the St. Vincent de Paul priory in
Bailly, France. A short summary of the talk has been posted at the
French news portal Médias-Presse-Info. We are happy to provide an exclusive English translation:
For Bishop de Galarreta, it is not to be desired that an agreement between Rome and the SSPX should happen
By Christian Lassale
Summary of the Conference of Bishop de Galarreta in Bailly (78) on January 17, 2016
I—The Atmosphere in Rome
We are witnessing an upsurge of modernism in Rome with Pope Francis. This can have a positive effect in that more and more cardinals and bishops are strongly and publicly reacting against this waywardness.
II—The State of Our Relations with Rome
Concerning our relations with Rome, there exist two distinct paths since the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith sent Bishop Fellay two new documents in July 2015, one doctrinal, and the other canonical.
The doctrinal document is less demanding than the one of 2012, but the required conditions are still unacceptable. They will always be undoubtedly so, given their purpose is to make us accept Vatican II. Even if it were acceptable, it would be necessary to go through the second stage, the canonical one.
The canonical document is also unacceptable, as it puts us in practical dependence upon authorities who want the Church’s harm. They will never be able to accept our necessary conditions for our security. Even if, by some remote chance, they were to accept them, there would remain the third stage: impossible to circumvent, that of the SSPX general chapter.
III—Conclusion: Nothing Will Happen Via This Path
It seems undeniable that the pope wants an agreement (editor’s note: just as Bishop Bernard Fellay has since 2009). He could very well pass over the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Fath as he did regarding jurisdiction for confessions. Is this to be desired?
The Advantages: It would allow us to have, according to Bishop Fellay, a broader apostolate.
The Drawbacks: We will often be in inextricable concrete situations with a real risk of losing the unity of the SSPX, because the authorities of the SSPX will inevitably make mistakes, which will cause yet further division.
In conclusion, in the Church’s current state, and for Bishop de Galarreta, it is not to be desired that an agreement should happen.
And what if it would happen anyway (say by a “unilateral” recognition)? That would create real trouble in the Fraternity. Numerous priests would refuse and would be tempted to leave. To the extent we will not have sought it (this recognition), we will be unable to do anything. Providence will [would] once again watch over the work of Archbishop Lefebvre.
Contrary to what certain faithful, present at the conference, understood, Bishop Galarreta did not say, with regard to the foreseeable departure of numerous priests, that “if it must happen, it will happen”, but that everything is in the hands of Providence. The nuance is important.
Christian LASSALE
(Christian Lassalle, “Pour Mgr de Galarreta, il n’est pas à souhaiter qu’un accord entre Rome et la FSSPX intervienne”, medias-presse.info; Jan. 29, 2016; bold print in original.)
By Christian Lassale
Summary of the Conference of Bishop de Galarreta in Bailly (78) on January 17, 2016
I—The Atmosphere in Rome
We are witnessing an upsurge of modernism in Rome with Pope Francis. This can have a positive effect in that more and more cardinals and bishops are strongly and publicly reacting against this waywardness.
II—The State of Our Relations with Rome
Concerning our relations with Rome, there exist two distinct paths since the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith sent Bishop Fellay two new documents in July 2015, one doctrinal, and the other canonical.
The doctrinal document is less demanding than the one of 2012, but the required conditions are still unacceptable. They will always be undoubtedly so, given their purpose is to make us accept Vatican II. Even if it were acceptable, it would be necessary to go through the second stage, the canonical one.
The canonical document is also unacceptable, as it puts us in practical dependence upon authorities who want the Church’s harm. They will never be able to accept our necessary conditions for our security. Even if, by some remote chance, they were to accept them, there would remain the third stage: impossible to circumvent, that of the SSPX general chapter.
III—Conclusion: Nothing Will Happen Via This Path
It seems undeniable that the pope wants an agreement (editor’s note: just as Bishop Bernard Fellay has since 2009). He could very well pass over the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Fath as he did regarding jurisdiction for confessions. Is this to be desired?
The Advantages: It would allow us to have, according to Bishop Fellay, a broader apostolate.
The Drawbacks: We will often be in inextricable concrete situations with a real risk of losing the unity of the SSPX, because the authorities of the SSPX will inevitably make mistakes, which will cause yet further division.
In conclusion, in the Church’s current state, and for Bishop de Galarreta, it is not to be desired that an agreement should happen.
And what if it would happen anyway (say by a “unilateral” recognition)? That would create real trouble in the Fraternity. Numerous priests would refuse and would be tempted to leave. To the extent we will not have sought it (this recognition), we will be unable to do anything. Providence will [would] once again watch over the work of Archbishop Lefebvre.
Contrary to what certain faithful, present at the conference, understood, Bishop Galarreta did not say, with regard to the foreseeable departure of numerous priests, that “if it must happen, it will happen”, but that everything is in the hands of Providence. The nuance is important.
Christian LASSALE
(Christian Lassalle, “Pour Mgr de Galarreta, il n’est pas à souhaiter qu’un accord entre Rome et la FSSPX intervienne”, medias-presse.info; Jan. 29, 2016; bold print in original.)
NeoSSPX and Youth Pilgrimage for the "Year of Mercy"?
Screenshot of the announcement of the Youth Pilgrimage organized by the district in the United States.
Youth Pilgrimage 2016
A pilgrimage to Rome for the Jubilee Year of mercy for the faithful of the SSPX
6-17 May 2016
With Nicholas P. Gardner FSSPX
It Includes 3-day pilgrimage Chartres-Paris.
