Some news has been breaking on blogs and news outlets all day, but this is the first opportunity I'v had to post.It is looking like we may finally see some excommunications lifted in the SSPX. This is great news and many have been praying for this. Let's continue to pray for all involved.
Here is the scoop from Catholic Culture, emphasis mine in bold:
According to multiple reports from reliable Vatican-watchers, Pope Benedict XVI will soon lift the decree of excommunication imposed upon four traditionalist bishops who were consecrated by the late Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre in 1988. Italian journalists report that the Pope's action will be made public within a matter of days. The move would be a major step toward reconciliation with the Society of St. Pius X (SSPX).Again, continue to pray for the SSPX to come back into full communion with Rome.
SSPX leaders-- including the bishops living under the decree of excommunication-- have consistently stated that before ending their break with the Holy See, they would insist on the removal of that excommunication and the right of every Catholic priest to celebrate the Mass using the traditional rite. With the publication of Summorum Pontificum in 2007, Pope Benedict fulfilled the latter condition [not exclusively for this purpose, I might add, but certainly thought to be part of bringing the SSPX home]; lifting the excommunication would satisfy the former SSPX demand. Still to be resolved, however, would be the serious disagreements over the authority and interpretation of Vatican II documents [step by step]
The Rorate Caeli blog is carefully following the latest reports, from Rome and elsewhere, on the Pope's reported plan.
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The obedient are not held captive by Holy Mother Church; it is the disobedient who are held captive by the world!
