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Question Title	Posted By	Question Date
Pope Benedict XVI and SSPX -	John	Sunday, February 15, 2009
Question: Hi, Brother Ignatius! I'm writing because I'm deeply troubled by the recent lifting of excommunication from the four SSPX bishops (one of whom is "Bishop" Richard Williamson). I am outraged by Williamson's denial of the holacaust - and less perturbed, but still quite concerned, about the lifting of excommunication from SSPX which not only denies the reforms of Vatican II, but is sedevacantist! I simply can't comprehend how our Pope Benedict can open the doors to an organisation intent on undermining Vatican II, and then add insult to injury by condoning the almost blasphemous nonsense of an illicitly ordained "bishop". I believe it would be highly appropriate for our Holy Father to publicly and officially denounce Williamson. As you can see from the tone of my message, I feel very strongly about this matter. However, I must add that I remain loyal to our Holy Father, who is the Vicar of Christ. I am troubled by this incident and therefore I need clarification on two things:- 1) By lifting the excommunication, is there any chance of Pope Benedict agreeing with SSPX and cancelling the reforms of Vatican II? 2) Is the Pope affirming the statements made by Williamson by not openly and publicly condemning them - in other words, do you think the Pope should take disciplinary action against Williamson (or at least apologise on his behalf). Please be assured of the fact that I don't intend any disrespect towards our Pope. I do feel very strongly about these recent events, and so I would be grateful if you could share your opinion and clarify anything in this regard. God bless you! JOHN
Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OLSM Dear John: There use to be a comedy TV show called "Home Improvement". The main character when hearing something inaccurate would say, "back the bus up". I am afraid that your information about this subject is completely wrong and misinformed. Let me give the correct information. 1) It is the job of the Pope to encourage and to facilitiate the unity of the Church. It is a scandal that the Church is fractured. In the spirit of the job that God has given him to heal the fracture, the Pope lifted the excommunications of the SSPX bishops. This was a technical and legal act that allows for the possibility of reconciliation. The SSPX is NOT YET reconciled with the Church. They are NOT in communion with the Church. The lifting of the excommunication merely opens the door to allow for a possible reconciliation. It does nothing more than that. 2) The lifting of the excommunication does not in any way mean or imply that the Pope is agreeing with the SSPX or cancelling the reforms of Vatican II. Not in your wildest fantasies is the Pope doing that. The Pope does not agree with the SSPX and is protecting Vatican II. The SSPX is not in communion with the Church and will not be in communion until they accept Vatican II as valid and begin to behave in obedience to the Holy See. Again, the Pope is merely offering an olive branch in hopes the SSPX will accept it. If the SSPX refuses to resolve the remaining impediments that prevent reconciliation then reconciliation will not occur. 3) As for the stupid statements of Bishop Williamson, the Pope was not aware of his views at the time the excommunication was lifted. 4) Even if the Pope did know the Bishop's view at the time it would probably would not have mattered because the issue of the excommunication was about something wholely different (apples and oranges) involving technical legal issues and has no relationship to the bishop's opinions. 5) The Pope has said that this Bishop must distance himself from these views if he hopes to be reconciled. 6) The Superior of the SSPX has disciplined the Bishop -- put a gag order on the Bishop and has fired him frrom his position at the seminary where he was teaching. 7) The Pope and the Vatican has issued several statements that affirm the truth about the holocaust and condeming the Bishop's views. It would be wise, John, that you learn the facts before opining otherwise you enter the zone of rash judgment. God Bless, Bro. Ignatius Mary Footer Notes: This forum is for general questions on the faith. See specific Topic Forums below: Spiritual Warfare, demons, the occult go to our Spiritul Warfare Q&S Forum. Liturgy Questions go to our Liturgy and Liturgical Law Q&A Forum Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office) Questions go to our Divine Office Q&A Forum Defenfing the Faith Questions go to our Defending the Faith Q&A Forum Church History Questions go to our Church History Q&A Forum

Question Title

Posted By

Question Date

Pope Benedict XVI and SSPX -

John

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Question:

Hi, Brother Ignatius!

I'm writing because I'm deeply troubled by the recent lifting of excommunication from the four SSPX bishops (one of whom is "Bishop" Richard Williamson). I am outraged by Williamson's denial of the holacaust - and less perturbed, but still quite concerned, about the lifting of excommunication from SSPX which not only denies the reforms of Vatican II, but is sedevacantist! I simply can't comprehend how our Pope Benedict can open the doors to an organisation intent on undermining Vatican II, and then add insult to injury by condoning the almost blasphemous nonsense of an illicitly ordained "bishop". I believe it would be highly appropriate for our Holy Father to publicly and officially denounce Williamson.

As you can see from the tone of my message, I feel very strongly about this matter. However, I must add that I remain loyal to our Holy Father, who is the Vicar of Christ. I am troubled by this incident and therefore I need clarification on two things:-

1) By lifting the excommunication, is there any chance of Pope Benedict agreeing with SSPX and cancelling the reforms of Vatican II?

2) Is the Pope affirming the statements made by Williamson by not openly and publicly condemning them - in other words, do you think the Pope should take disciplinary action against Williamson (or at least apologise on his behalf).

Please be assured of the fact that I don't intend any disrespect towards our Pope. I do feel very strongly about these recent events, and so I would be grateful if you could share your opinion and clarify anything in this regard.

God bless you!
JOHN

Question Answered by Bro. Ignatius Mary, OLSM

Dear John:

There use to be a comedy TV show called "Home Improvement". The main character when hearing something inaccurate would say, "back the bus up".

I am afraid that your information about this subject is completely wrong and misinformed. Let me give the correct information.

1) It is the job of the Pope to encourage and to facilitiate the unity of the Church. It is a scandal that the Church is fractured. In the spirit of the job that God has given him to heal the fracture, the Pope lifted the excommunications of the SSPX bishops. This was a technical and legal act that allows for the possibility of reconciliation. The SSPX is NOT YET reconciled with the Church. They are NOT in communion with the Church. The lifting of the excommunication merely opens the door to allow for a possible reconciliation. It does nothing more than that.

2) The lifting of the excommunication does not in any way mean or imply that the Pope is agreeing with the SSPX or cancelling the reforms of Vatican II. Not in your wildest fantasies is the Pope doing that. The Pope does not agree with the SSPX and is protecting Vatican II. The SSPX is not in communion with the Church and will not be in communion until they accept Vatican II as valid and begin to behave in obedience to the Holy See. Again, the Pope is merely offering an olive branch in hopes the SSPX will accept it. If the SSPX refuses to resolve the remaining impediments that prevent reconciliation then reconciliation will not occur.

3) As for the stupid statements of Bishop Williamson, the Pope was not aware of his views at the time the excommunication was lifted.

4) Even if the Pope did know the Bishop's view at the time it would probably would not have mattered because the issue of the excommunication was about something wholely different (apples and oranges) involving technical legal issues and has no relationship to the bishop's opinions.

5) The Pope has said that this Bishop must distance himself from these views if he hopes to be reconciled.

6) The Superior of the SSPX has disciplined the Bishop -- put a gag order on the Bishop and has fired him frrom his position at the seminary where he was teaching.

7) The Pope and the Vatican has issued several statements that affirm the truth about the holocaust and condeming the Bishop's views.

It would be wise, John, that you learn the facts before opining otherwise you enter the zone of rash judgment.

God Bless,
Bro. Ignatius Mary

Footer Notes: This forum is for general questions on the faith. See specific Topic Forums below:
Spiritual Warfare, demons, the occult go to our Spiritul Warfare Q&S Forum.
Liturgy Questions go to our Liturgy and Liturgical Law Q&A Forum
Liturgy of the Hours (Divine Office) Questions go to our Divine Office Q&A Forum
Defenfing the Faith Questions go to our Defending the Faith Q&A Forum
Church History Questions go to our Church History Q&A Forum