In recent days we have seen the removal of the excommunications of the four bishops of the Society of St. Pius X. Putting aside personal feelings and conclusions regarding the situation of the SSPX, below I present where the SSPX was and where it is now, and what to expect in the future.
In 1988, prior to their Consecration as bishops, Fathers Williamson, Fellay, De Gallareta, and Tisser de Mallerais were suspended a divinis. This meant that although they were Roman Catholic priests, they could not perform any priestly functions. As a result of their Consecration as bishops they were said to have incurred the penalty of excommunication (Laetae Sententiae {automatic}).
Earlier this month, we witnessed the lifting of this decree of excommunication. This means that until the regularization is complete, the Bishops are Roman Catholic Bishops suspended a divinis as are all of the priests, the bishops lacking a mandate.
Unjust cries of schism, a new church, a Lefebvrist Church must now cease as these priests and bishops are just a breath away from regularization.
What to look for in the future? The Remnant reports that in the coming days of February, we will witness the full regularization of the priests and the mandate having been given to the Bishops, their regularization as well.
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All over the world, news of this is rocking the ecclesiastical realm. After years and years of utter liturgical, doctrinal and catechetical chaos, the walls of dissent finally seem to be crumbling. In what is almost four short years of this pontificate of Pope Benedict XVI we have seen more progress towards a restoration of the Church than at any point since its freefall into disaster in the early 1960's. On one side, the liberals cry that Pope Benedict XVI is going against everything willed by the Second Vatican Council, forgetting of course that Fr. Ratzinger was an extremely influential peritus at the Council. On the other side traditionalists cry tears of joy (this one included), as years of being sidelined, treated like lepers, and called schismatic are ending fast.
Something rather insignificant on paper, but perhaps the most significant sign of who Pope Benedict XVI is, revolves around one word: We. The Holy Father wishes to revive this essential expression of continuity. Pope Benedict XVI understands continuity, he understands that when he speaks, he speaks in union with every Pope going back to St. Peter, and speaks for every Pope who ever will speak. We know not the motives of recent Popes for speaking in the singular, but those days are over, Deo Gratias.
Pope Benedict XVI needs our prayers like never before. This great man will be persecuted by those within the structure of the Church and countless outside the Church as well. He is slowly reviving a concept of the true Church, outside of which there is no salvation. As the Church prays, so She believes. The Church having been nourished by the Traditional Latin Mass for over a milenia prays this way. The world has no room for a Church founded by Our Lord Jesus Christ, the Second Person of the Most Blessed Trinity, Incarnate Word of God. There is a saying that as the Church goes, so goes the world. We have seen the Church and the world in a downward spiral. We know that the Church will never completely fall, and indeed are witnessing its resurgence as this is written. Perhaps if it should please Our Blessed Lord then, we shall soon witness a resurgence of the world to its former days, when the Church was revered and when man feared God.
God Bless and keep Pope Benedict XVI on the throne for many years to come.
Parts 2 and 3 of this update to come at a later time
