How to proceed with the FSSPX?
Three days before the meeting planned for Sunday between Bishop Fellay of the FSSPX and Cardinal Mueller, the prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and the president of the attached commission Ecclesia Dei, Pope Francis had an interview with the secretary of this commission, Archbishop Guido Pozzo. Nothing specific is known about the content of the conversations with Pozzo, who undoubtedly will take part in the meeting of Cardinal Mueller with Fellay.
Instead, all kinds of prognoses and opinions are circulating in Rome, that agree in this: that a rapprochement in whatever form remains extremely unlikely. Some observers expect that the state of suspended animation that has existed since the termination of negotiations in 2013 will be continued for an indeterminate period. Others, however, claim to have learned that Mueller has been commissioned to make a clean break and, given the expected refusal to “accept the Council without reservations” and to subject themselves to a papal commissar, to once more excommunicate the bishops of the Fraternity and possibly also its priests. Moreover, sanctions against the faithful who attend exclusively the services of the FSSPX are being discussed.
As an additional variation, in the last few days speculation had emerged that the “expulsion” of the Fraternity will be the last mission in that office for the prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith Mueller – who himself also has extremely critical views of the FSSPX. After that – and possibly even before the synod of bishops – the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith in its current form is supposed to be dissolved and be replaced by a structure which is more flexible regarding pastoral needs. Responsibly for the Ecclesia Dei communities would thereafter be transferred to the Congregation for the Clergy.
(Thanks to Le Forum Catholique)
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