6 January: George Ganswein Will Be Personally Consecrated a Bishop by the Pope

Edit:  the Pope's secretary has been given a new post, Prefect of the Papal Household in addition to his current one.  He will be an Archbishop.

Pope Benedict XVI. will have a full program over the days of Christmas: From the Christmas Mass over "Urbi et orbi" to Episcopal consecration and baptism.

Vatican City (kath.net/KNA) Pope Benedict XVI. will personally lead the Vatican celebrations on Christmas and the New Year.  As the Vatican explains on Tuesday, the Pope will celebrate the Midnight Mass at 10pm to celebrate the birth of Christ.  On Christmas day he will also personally give the traditional blessing >>Urbi et Orbi<< in the main loggia of St. Peters Cathedral.  Then he will deliver his Christmas message as well.  On Silvester evening Benedict will hold an evening prayer with the >>Te Deum<<  to close the year at St. Peter's Cathedral.  In the morning of the new year, he will celebrate Holy Mass.

On January 6th, the feast of the >>Epiphany<<, the Pope will celebrate Mass before mid-day and consecrate several Vatican priests as Bishops.  Among them is his longtime secretary George Ganswein, who will function in the future as the Prefect of the Papal House.  On January 13th, at the feast of the Baptism of Jesus, where the Pope will give several children the sacrament of baptism in the Sixtine Chapel.

Link to kath.net...

Newsbytes -- Berlin's Cardinal Woelki Nominated for Homosexual Award

Celebrant in the Old Pontifical Mass in the St. Peter's Basilica -- Berlin's Cardinal Honored by Homosexual Organization -- Israeli Military Vehicles Enter Gaza Strip -- Reconciliation with the SSPX not Desired -- Legionaries of Christ Under New Leadership

Vatican.  The Traditional Pontifical Mass on the 3rd of November celebrated in St. Peter's Basilica will be celebrated by the Prefect of the Liturgy Commission, Antonio Cardinal Cañizares Llovera.  This will be reported by the organizers shortly.  There are several thousand pilgrims expected for the pontifical Mass.  At first there were rumors circulating that Pope Benedict XVI was going to celebrate the Mass.

Berlin Cardinal Nominated for Homosexual Prize

Germany.  Berlin's Cardinal Rainer Maria Woelki has been nominated for a dubious homosexual honor.  This was according to the Berlin association "Bündnis gegen Homophobie".  The alliance is advertised on the homepage of the anti-Church association "Lesbians and Gays Germany".  The Cardinal is on a list of nominees with the singer Gabi Decker, the Turkish feminist Seyran Ateş and the infamous German urine showered David Berger.  At the end of November one will be chosen.  Cardinal Woelki was nominated because at the Katholikentag (an festival event going over days with a lot of "ecumenism" which could be described as unCatholic) in Mannheim in harsh contrast to the Faith, he recognized homosexual unions:  "If two homosexuals responsibly take care of one another, if they are stable and true with each other, you must see that in a similar way like heterosexual relationships."

Israeli Military Vehicles Drove into Gaza Strip

Occupied Palestine.  Israeli military vehicles drove this Wednesday several hundred meters into the area of the village of Sofa over the border zone-- east of the 71,000 population city of Rafa on the southern border of the Gaza Strip.  Two bulldozers accompanied the border guards as usual.  They were greeted by massive rifle fire fro the houses of those surprised living nearby.  Then as usual, the fields, which were full of crops just before the harvest, were rolled over.  This occurrence was followed by an air attack by the Israelis on the 60,000 population city of Beit Lahya in the north of the Gaza Strip.  A rocket attack destroyed homes there.   There was panic among the inhabitants.

No Reconciliation is Desired With the Society of St. Pius X

Vatican.  It is up to the Society of St. Pius X to reconcile itself.  That is what the Faith's Guardian, Archbishop Gerhard Ludwig Müller said for the Catholic newspaper 'Tagespost'.  The Pope has exhausted all possibilities:  "We could not persuade them."  The Vatican is supposed to never have sought a compromise in doctrinal questions:  "The Church is not a negotiating partner where the truth is convened."  They don't wish their separate parts to return as part of negotiations.  There are no compromises possible in doctrinal questions -- explained the Archbishop, known for his own doctrinal errors.

Legionaries of Christ Under New Leadership


Mexico.  The General Superior of an order troubled by the abuse scandal,  'Legionaries of Christ', Father Alvaro Corcuera (55) has been put into retirement.  This was reported by the Order in a press release.  The reason was because of necessary health and ability, to lead the Order in this historical moment. Transitionally, the General Vicar, the German Sylvester Heereman (38),  will lead the Order.  The Papal delegate of the Order, Cardinal Velasio De Paolis (76), stressed that this is not an official ouster and that no new director will be elected.

Link to kreuz.net...

Italian Director: Catholic Influence Prevents the Legalization of Euthanasia in Italy

The Italian director Marco Bellocchio is convinced, that the Catholics of Italy were able to dominate the political landscape so that euthanasia could not be legalized.

 Rome (kath.net / LSN / jg) The influence of the Catholics of Italy is too strong to enable the legalization of euthanasia.

"When the power of Catholics is so great, as in Italy, it is almost impossible to get a secular law through" that authorizes euthanasia, the Italian director Marco Bellocchio told the AFP news agency. Bellocchio was at this year's Venice Film Festival with the film "Bella Addormentata" (Eng. "The Sleeping Beauty") represented.

The film is based on true events. In 2009, the then 38-year-old Eluana Englaro had died after 17 years in a vegetative state after a court had allowed her father to stop the artificial feeding of his daughter. The case had then engaged the Italian public for weeks. He would take no position in the film, but showed the state of Italian society. He could answer the question of whether he was for or against euthanasia, neither with a clear yes or no, said Bellocchio, who described himself as not religious. "I am in any case for life. But what one must decide one's life for himself," he said, according to a report by the "Wiener Zeitung".

  From Kath.net...

Edit: Coupled with more militant films like Spain's "The Sea Inside", there is a film with a similar aim, with a more subtle and ponderous approach to changing hearts and minds.  For if you can't fight something head on, it's better to chew on the edges with a film which panders to people's emotions while showing tremendous respect for the deep-seated Catholic sensibilities you face.

Late Antique Bishop's Palace Discovered in Austria

[kreuz.net] Archaeologists from the Carinthian Museum jointly with the Universities of Klagenfurt and Padua have excavated in the province of Carinthia and uncovered the late classical Bishops castle complex in Virunum. This was reported by news agency 'Catholic press'. The former Roman city is located on the territory of modern Zollfeld north of Klagenfurt. The building complex is over 7,500 cubic meters and includes a double church facility and an episcopal palace. The complex includes over 7,500 square meters. All finds are older than 1,700 years. The city was founded by the Emperor Claudius and the site extends for some 1000 km^2.

Will Pope Say Upcoming Pontifical High Mass in Rome?

(Rome)  The past five years the existing parishes, groups, societies and movements have shown themselves to be strongly alive.  The various traditional lay groups in Rome founded  the Coetus Internationalis Pro Summorum Pontificum. The first concrete accomplishment of Coetus Internationalis is the formation of an international pilgrimage of Tradition to Rome, which will take place during Pope Benedict XVI's proclaimed year of faith.  The public statement for the event has planned for the 10th of September.  The international pilgrimage of the Pro- Summorum Pontificum -- groups will conclude on the 3rd of November with a Pontifical High Mass in St. Peter's  Cathedral.

Pilgrimage and High Mass should be an expression of gratitude for the Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum, and provide a large public for the classical form of the Roman Rite.  It is said in Coetus Internationalis, that a personal gesture is hoped for from Pope Benedict.  The unspoken hope for some is that the Pope himself will celebrate it himself for the first time as head of the Church.  It would in any case be the first High Mass in the old Roman Rite, that has been celebrated in St. Peter's Basilica.  On the 17th of May 2011, Cardinal Walter Brandmüller celebrated a Mass at an event for Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum in Rome. The German Cardinal didn't celebrate over the crypt of St. Peter, but at the altar behind St. Peter's chair.

According to internal Vatican statistics the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass said according to the Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum is said in about 1,500 locations with the Old Mass. In addition there are also 700 Mass locations of the Priestly Society of St. Pius X which aren't included in the statistics.

The lay group which has brought life to the pilgrimage, Coetus Internationalis Pro Summorum Pontificum, belong to ...the Italian umbrella organization of Summorum Pontificum.

Link to katholisches....

Edit: also, Southern Orders thinks that a Papal Mass in the old Rite would be too complicated to pull off. There's some truth to this for we were told by a priest that it would require almost a year of planning to put together the event.

The SSPX Calls "Indispensable" Conditions -- Rome Sees Willingness to Talk

(Vatican/Menzigen)  After Msgr Fellay of the Society of St. Pius X received a newly revised "Doctrinal Preamble" on June 13th for signing, the reconciliation talks between Rome and Econe have been at a standstill.  Some on both sides have spoken already of a collapse of the talks.  A less than friendly exchang also took place between the Society and the new Prefect of the Congregation for Doctrine and the Faith.

The General Chapter of the Society at the beginning of July ended with a strengthening of the General Superior, who attempted, to strengthen the unity of the Society.  Regarding the discussions with Rome there was nothing concrete to convey.  This is a sign that the talks have still not collapsed.  It is the Society founded by Marcel Lefebvre in 1970 to take its turn to address the "Preamble" of June 13th from Rome.  Such a response has not yet been received by the Vatican.

Curial Archbishop Mueller, the new guardian of the Faith of the Catholic Church is on vacation for the next few weeks.  The same applies to the curial Archbishop de Noia appointed to be responsible for the SSPX as the Secretary of the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei.  Bishop FEllay could therefore wait for his answer yet.  In August, not much of consequences happens in the Vatican often.  Basically, the Roman side seems to have no intention of excercising pressure for its part.

From the context of the CDF it means that the new edition of the Preamble of Pope Benedict XVI in May during the general assembly of the CDF would be sanctioned.  At the same time the contention has been contradicted, in the edition of the Preamble which Cardinal Levada gave the Society on June 13 which corresponded significantly to that of 2011 and put for that reason a step backward, because the alternate proposals and desires of the Society had not been taken into account.

Two points of the Preamble were the desire of the Pope or the Prefect of the CDF were included again in the Preamble.  The first point touched on the post-Conciliar form of the Roman Rite, the Novus Ordo.  Rome expected that the SSPX not only recognize the validity of the New Mass, but also its legitimacy.  That does not mean that the liturgical abuses may not be criticized, and those of translation may not be discussed.

The second point touched on the Second Vatican Council.  In the Vatican there is strong resistance against the presentiment that the Conciliar documents are even only described as being "erroneous" in parts.  For that reason the Society is expected to distinguish  between the Conciliar documents and their interpretation, and recognize, that the Magisterium may not be judged by any other authority, also not the Society.

It drives the issue, to put it bluntly, where the healthy Catholic way is between the idea that the Second Vatican Council was a kind of "super Council" or even a "super dogma", although it itself made no such claim, and the idea that the SSPX gets the role of a "super Magisterium" to which would be appended the Church's Magisterium.

"The aim of dialogue is to overcome the difficulties in the interpretation of the Second Vatican Council, but we can not negotiate the revealed Faith, that is impossible.  An Ecumenical Council, according to the Catholic Faith is always the highest Magisterium of the Church, "Said the new Prefect of the Congregation for Doctrine and the Faith in an EWTN interview.  Specifically, he added: "The claim that the authentic teachings of the Second Vatican Council can be in contradiction to the Tradition of the Church is wrong."

While you're waiting in Rome for the response of Bishop Fellay, the internal Society circulars are finding a lot of attention, which -- was immediately published by Internet leakers -- once more.  Father Christian Thouvenot, the Secretary of the Superior General released the proceedings of the General Council together. It was determined that the three conditions as the "sine qua non" of the agreement made reconciliation with Rome impossible.  The formulations, such as the one found in Rome, leave room for negotiation.  Among other things, the claims will be affirmed, that the Society's priests will only celebrate the classical form of the Roman Rite, but said nothing about the legality of the ordinary form of the Roman Rite.

The demand for free and public criticism of the "error or the innovations of modernism, liberalism, the Second Vatican Council and its consequences", could ultimately be read less harshly than it might seem at first glance.  "Everything will depend on the response sent to Rome by Msgr Fellay", like the Vatican, as Vaticanist Andrea Tornielli is heard to be continuously repeated these days.


The question of exempt status of the SSPX, to be free from the influence of Diocesan Bishops, the concession to have a bishop as head of the Society and other questions are held in Rome as "solved".

Text: Giuseppe Nardi 
Image: Le Barroux


Link to original...katholisches...

Bishop Fellay States What's Been Evident All Along About Vatican II

Edit: remember when we pointed to the fact that the Holy Father was willing to accept the SSPX's reservations about Vatican II?
Bishop Fellay: ‘total acceptance of Vatican II’ no longer prerequisite for full communion with Holy See [br]


CWN - June 08, 2012[br /] [br]Stating that discussions with the Holy See “have allowed us to present clearly the various problems that we experience with regard to Vatican II,” the superior general of the Society of St. Pius X said in an interview that “what has changed is the fact that Rome no longer makes total acceptance of Vatican II a prerequisite for the canonical solution.”

“The attitude of the official Church is what changed; we did not,” said Bishop Bernard Fellay. “We were not the ones who asked for an agreement; the Pope is the one who wants to recognize us. You may ask: why this change? We are still not in agreement doctrinally, and yet the pope wants to recognize us! Why? The answer is right in front of us: there are terribly important problems in the Church today.”

Asked about religious liberty, ecumenism, and other doctrinal issues that have been points of disagreement between the Holy See and the Society, Bishop Fellay said that.

Link to CWN...

Cardinal Burke is in Line for Big Job?

Cardinal Burke as Crown Prince?

 Vatican:[kreuz.net] Pope Benedict XVI may put the Prefect of the Apostolic Signatura, Raymond Cardinal Burke (63) into a position of responsibility. According to reports from Roman circles, the Cardinal is in consideration to be the next Prefect of the Congregation for Doctrine and the Faith, or the new Cardinal Secretary. Photo...Institute of Christ the King.

SSPX Unification Postponed

Edit: with figures like +Zollitsch, +Koch or +Schoenborn around, it's not surprising there's a postponement from the expected date of Pentecost. 

It just is what it is.

Mary Altar of the Society
Church of St. Joseph in
Memingen
© Wikipedia-Benützer ‘Bene16’,CC

(kreuz.net) Pope Benedict XVI. will only  take care of the dossier "Society of St. Pius" in summer vacation -- therefore after the High Feast of St. Peter and Paul.

This is what Europe's largest Catholic internet site 'kreuz.net' has learned from Vatican circles.

Because of the current difficult inner-Church situation that is involved with the reconciliation with the SSPX must be immediately managed before there can be a unification. 

Till now observers originally thought that the Vatican would have made known the reconciliation between the Holy See and the Society of St. Pius X on Pentecost

Link...

SSPX Storms Trier: Reconciliation Imminent

No Room in the Cathedral

Yesterday the Holy Robe experienced being stormed by the largest group of pilgrims.  The summit:  they were there as pilgrims and not as tourists.

(kreuz.net)  On Sunday 2,500 Traditionalists pilgrimaged to the Holy Robe of Trier.

The Old Liberal Diocese refused them Holy Mass in Trier Basilica or in another house of worship.

For that reason the storm of pilgrims had to withdraw to the secularized St. Maximin Abbey church. [Another victim of New Springtime]

The Levites of the SSPX

In any event, the press speaker of the Diocese of Trier explained after the fact on the Diocesan website:

There "was a welcome to the pilgrims and pilgrimesses of this group."

Spouses of the Lord

Unity Doesn't mean Accommodation

The Abbey church was was completely full from the entrance doors to the transepts for the solemn levitical Liturgy.

Father Stefan Frey --- the Rector of the Society Seminary of Zaitzkofen near Regensburg -- preached for the feast.

It just so happened that he spoke about the negotiation of the Society with Rome.

It was there he assured the faithful that it did not mean that unification with the Vatican means that the battle for the Catholic Faith would be given up.

Another Drawer in the Conciliar Dresser

The piety of the faithful present was impressive.

In the sight of the struggle of the Old Liberal hardliners against the Faith, the pilgrims came to doubt in  the course of reconciliation with Rome on the pilgrimage.

Many fear that after the Society will be slowed down by an agreement with the Novus Ordo Conciliar Church and the German church-tax apparatus.

By contrast, Father Marc Gensbittel -- the Prior of Saarbrucken -- explained in a  lecture on Sunday morning that the Society will have a "reconciliation" with the Vatican, where they will have their own niche and have "freedom of opinion" in the Conciliar Church.

The Fears Remain

On the pilgrimage even academic Catholics showed themselves critical against the reconciliation.

The fear was aired that it could be accompanied with a betrayal of the faith and on the unbroken dogmatic tradition of the Church.

Too Few Places to Eat

The onslaught of the faithful was impressive -- although many Southern Germans and Bavarians were on other May Pilgrimages.

After Holy Mass there were even too few places to eat for the pilgrims in front of the Abbey church.

During lunch they were thanked privately by many of the older missionaries and priests,  who were drawn back to the time of their own priestly consecrations or encouraged again to remain true to them.




Linnk to kreuz.net original...

Also, from Cathcon, Liberal paper complains about SSPX taking over Trier.  Clearly, all were not welcome:

The arch-conservative SSPX makes a pilgrimage to Trier with about 2,000 followers. For critics, this does not fit the idea of ​an ecumenical pilgrimage - the SSPX among other things believe that all other religions are simply "wrong."

Holy Father to Priests: Do Not Accommodate the Opinions of the World!

Edit: we used the Douay Rheims translation.  It's interesting to see the Secretary of State, Cardinal Bertone, standing next to the Holy Father and bowing for the blessing in the most child-like way. The speech is a beautiful Lenten meditation which restates the humble truth about the first of all virtues.


Benedict XVI: there is need in the Church for the humility to accept also small roles.  Humility is the first virtue, which offers freedom in truth. translation from report Armin Schwibach.

Rome (kath.net/as) Every year at the beginning of Lent, Pope Benedict XVI meets with the clergy of his Diocese on this Thursday morning.  Also this year the meeting takes place in the audience hall of "Paul VI" at the desire of the priests in the framework of "lection Divina" rather than a free speech.  The "lectio" is inspired by a section from a letter of St. Paul to the Ephesians (Eph 4: 1-16)

I therefore, a prisoner in the Lord, beseech you that you walk worthy of the vocation in which you are called:  With all humility and mildness, with patience, supporting one another in charity. Careful to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. 4 One body and one Spirit: as you are called in one hope of your calling.

 One Lord, one faith, one baptism.  One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in us all.  But to every one of us is given grace, according to the measure of the giving of Christ.  Wherefore he saith: Ascending on high, he led captivity captive: he gave gifts to men.  Now that he ascended, what is it, but because he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended above all the heavens: that he might fill all things. And he gave some apostles, and some prophets, and other some evangelists, and other some pastors and doctors: For the perfecting of the saints, for the word of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ. 

Until we all meet into the unity of faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the age of the fulness of Christ:  That henceforth we be no more children tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the wickedness of men, by cunning craftiness by which they lie in wait to deceive.  But doing the truth in charity, we may in all things grow up in him who is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body, being compacted and fitly joined together, by what every joint supplieth, according to the operation in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body, unto the edifying of itself in charity. [Douay-Rheims]

The great suffering, which has been endured by the Church in Europe and in the West, consists in a lack of vocations, said Benedict XVI.  The Lord therefore calls everyone.  For that it is necessary to hear this call.  The natural disposition of a priest is to be humble, mild and big hearted, because: "If I am humble, then I will also have the freedom to oppose myself to the prevailing thinking."  This humility empowers the priest to seek the truth.  Therefore it would e necessary to accept small roles in the Church, have have, however, great value in the eyes of God.

"I must accept my small position in the Church",  said the Pope.  The vain ostentation of those who do not teach this, finally oppose Him himself, and causes unhappiness.  The humility on the other hand leads, not to walk into appearances, but in deeds, "what God had considered for me and what for me is the part of Christian realism".  False humility on the other hand leads to the destruction of the unity of the Church.  To respect yourself and the other are two things which belong together. It is in that which consists the "great harmony of the Church and creation: that every one else is as the other."

The humble man obtains the freedom, in the name of truth to meet with those who are related to him.  The opposite of  humility -- the pride -- is then the root of all sins, which consist, in a desire to  stay in the midst of the world.  Christian being means, to resist this temptation,  to have humility before all others means a life lived in truth, which says:  "Only in my smallness can I be great".

Another great problem in the Church in today's times consists in "religious Analphabetism".  It is necessary to include  the content of the Faith,  the Pope cautioned, this is "not in the sense of a parcel of Dogmas."  Most of all, it must be done so that the priest can renew and make enable himself to meet Christ.

Many describe themselves as "worldly Catholics", in so far as they may have emancipated themselves from the Magisterium of the Church.   Actually, however, this is not the outcome of a "worldly Faith", rather a dependence upon the world.  True emancipation means much more, said Benedict XVI, pointedly, "free yourself from this dictatorship of opinion and believe in the Son of God".  Only in this way "is one able to find an answer to the challenges of our time."

Link to kath.net...

No "Non Possumus" -- Attempt to Sidetrack the Talks of the SSPX with Rome

Edit: looking at the German media figures like Jeff Mirus, Armin Schwibach, or the Italian Vaticanista, Alessandro Speciale, you can see that there's a reflexive desire to inaccurately portray Bishop Fellay's words.
(Rome/Econe) On 3. Februar 2012 Cardinal William Levada met with the Pope. The Prefect of the Congregation for Doctrine and Faith and reported to the Pope about the situation with the negotiations between the Holy See and the Society of St. Pius X. Primarily, it focused on the second response of the Society to the "Doctrinal Preamble". Since then, the Vatican is on the train. The congregation, led by Cardinal Levada and examined the response to the Pope in order to determine the next steps by the Holy See. The outcome of the audience is not known.

The whole day was accompanied by a media barrage. Not for the first time did it seem to some that the failure of the talks was not going fast enough. A new wave in talking up this failure was accompanied as a sort of background music for the conversation yesterday in the Vatican.

The opening was taken up by Alessandro Speciale and unchecked by other journalists, including Vaticanistas. In the German speaking zone, Armin Schwibach dashed forth with the sensational headline, "Bishop Fellay: possumus Non!" Thus, the Superior General of the SSPX, Bishop Bernard Fellay, was supposed to have declared in a sermon at the seminary of the Society in Winona in the United States when he actually said yesterday that it is possible for the Society to accept the preamble. He did so, according to Speciale, which provoked a domino effect Schwibach and many others, a "non possumus" announced.

It had created the impression that the Fraternity's turn on the negotiations with Rome had made a definitive stand. The exact opposite is the case. The Holy See's turn and for this reason was held yesterday behind closed doors in the Vatican meeting between Pope Benedict XVI. and Cardinal Levada instead. For this reason alone was the Superior General of SSPX had no reason to trumpet just the day before a categorical "nyet" to the world. The domination of small diplomatic Bishop Fellay has multiplication table since the beginning of the talks with Rome, or rather, since he received from Pope Benedict XVI. In the summer of 2005 provided sufficient proof, as that he would make no such inappropriate move while he waits for the response of the other side.

So the day was at least in the sense of the media, had "run" its course. The uncritical dissemination of a false report says especially a lot about the wishful thinking of some journalists. [Jeff Mirus] In this case, the question arises as to the Cui bono. It has long been known that a possible and desired agreement by Pope Benedict XVI between the Holy See and the SSPX of Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre has many opponents, on both sides.

In Italy, fought over the news. The starting point is for all the alleged "refusal" Msgr Fellays in Winona. However, it is a hoax in the classical sense, as revealed Rorate Coeli. Monsignor Fellays never made the statement attributed to him, never, not in Winona, and not elsewhere. In his homily, the Superior General of the Society briefly outlined the current progress of the negotiations with Rome and stated here that the "preamble", as on 14 September Preamble, the Brotherhood, would not be accepted. It has long been known and does not correspond to general rejection, but is part of the negotiations. The Vatican admitted to the Brotherhood with delivery right to propose amendments to express their wishes to propose more appropriate formulations. This option is exercised by the Society which is waiting their turn for the reaction of Rome, which the last topic of conversation between Benedict XVI. and Cardinal Levada.

You will therefore need to wait a little longer, until Rome makes its answer to the SSPX known what the result of the talks have been, as some have rejoiced too early, intending to speak and write you a failure cause.
Link to original...

Bishops to +Fellay: "Toss the Council to the Side, Forget it!"

Bishop Fellay at Candlemass 

Edit: Rorate reports that Italian commentators are having trouble understanding what Bishop Fellay is saying.  Actually, he's been overwhelmingly positive and is finding a tremendous amount of support from REAL Vatican Insiders and even Bishops.

Bishop Fellay cited the thesis of one of his Vatican collaborators.  This one came to the conclusion that the Pastoral Council has the doctrinal authority of a sermon from the 1960s.

(Kreuz.net) The Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X is fighting "with and against Rome" at the same time.

That said, the Superior General of the Fraternity, Bishop Bernard Fellay, the Feast of Canlemas, during a Sermon in the 30,000 population city of Winona in Minnesota.

An audio of the sermon is posted on the Seminary's website.

It would be Better Outside


There have been many attempts within the Conciliar Church to get rid of the Society -- explained Bishop Fellay.

According his information, it may be better for the Society to remain "outside".

Because: Then they would receive better treatment from the Church.

As an example, the Bishop recalled how friendly the Church is for the Godless protestants, who come to the Conciliar Church's door and find it opened.

Those are Dogmas

The main problem is identified by Msgr. Fellay "in the Magisterium".

Rome maintains that the past Magisterium can be differentiated from.

Msgr Fellay counters: "The truth is not dependent of the time. Reality is above it."

What was once defined is binding for all time: "These are dogmas."

Very Accomodating

The Society has received an "invitation" for canonical regularization of their situation -- said Msgr Fellay.

The Vatican has been very accomodating "It met all of our requirements."

Actually, for Msgr. Fellay, the difficulties are on the level of the Magisterium. Even here the Roman proposals went "far -- very far."

The Society must accept that the ambiguous points in the Second Vatican Council -- such as ecumenism and religious freedom -- must be understood in accordance with Catholic doctrine.

Msgr. Fellay is "astonishingly" positive.

The application makes problems

Msgr. Fellay sees problems in the implementation of these instructions.

Then that led to that the Society could not accept the offer.

As an example for the application of those principles from Rome are ecumenism and religious freedom.

Thsi should be understood in terms of the 'Catechism of the Catholic Church'.

But it is precisely this understanding which the Society has criticized -- said Msgr. Fellay.

A Maximum to Confusion

Rome recognized that there may be a break between the new and old doctrine.

Therefore that the old teachings on ecumenism and religious freedom would be maintained anyway.

On the contrary, the Society couldn't swallow that.

For Bishop Fellay this point reached a maximum of confusion.

That was the reason why the reconciliation could not be signed.
>
The Roman conclusion, where a new teaching could automatically correspond to the ancient doctrine, could not be agreed to.

Without Ecumenism and Without Religious Freedom

Bishop Fellay stressed that in the Vatican there is a true desire to accept the Society.

The Soceity is for its side ready for reconciliation:

"If you accept us, as we are, without changes, without making us duty bound, to accept ecumenism and religious freedom, then we are ready."

Even Ignore the Pastoral Council?

Bishop Fellay suggested that the situation in ten years looks quite different.

Then the old liberal Conciliar generation will be gone.

Several bishops had said the Society, you take the Pastoral Council far too seriously. Their advice: "Toss the Council on the side forget it!"

But Msgr. Fellay notes that the Council "because of the damage that it has caused," is to be taken seriously.

Regarding the Dogmatic authority of the Pastoral Council, he cites the Roman doctoral thesis of an unnamed Vatican employee.

He came to the conclusion that the Pastoral Council possesses the same authority as a sermon from the 1960s.

Unhappy progressives

Mons. Fellay ventured no predictions about the future of the Society or the Church.

He could only promise that the Church is in a Conciliar winter with no new beautiful springtime.

But one thing he knows, "that progressives are not happy."

Link to kreuz.net...

Photo: © Piusbruderschaft

International Theology Commission Gets New President

Edit: On December 5, the Holy Father Addressed the International Theological Commission with a call for adequate adherence by theologians to the Church's Magisterium:

Dear friends, our meeting confirms in a significant way how much the Church needs the competent and faithful reflection of theologians on the mystery of the God of Jesus Christ and his Church. Without healthy and vigorous theological reflection the Church runs the risk of not fully expressing the harmony between faith and reason. At the same time, without the faithful living of communion with the Church and adherence to the Magisterium, which is the vital space of its existence, theology would not succeed in giving an adequate reason for the gift of faith.

Now, he's about to name a new President of this Commission to replace Father Morerod, who was named recently as a Diocesan Bishop of Lausanne in Switzerland in November, which necessitated the naming of a new President.

The new president will be a Dominican Serge-Thomas Bonino, O.P.. He is a theology professor from the University of Toulouse in France, a Dominican as the O.P. [Order of Preachers] after his name indicates.

He is a student of student of the students of Jaques Maritain, [who was a close friend of Thomas Merton, Saul Alinsky and Dorothy Day]: Father M.-M. Labourdette, who is the author of a monumental commentary on the whole of the Secunda Pars and Father M.-V. Leroy. As for his emphasis, he favors a historical critical approach to St. Thomas Aquinas vs. a more traditional route, which he is kind enough not to disparage.

We found a link at this blog, diligite iustitium, which linked to a Dutch Thomistic site, from the University of Utrecht.

 Whom do you consider to be your most important teacher in your thomistic education?

 

During my first years of Dominican religious life, I was fortunate to meet two masters in Thomism: Father M.-M. Labourdette, who is the author of a monumental commentary on the whole of the Secunda Pars and Father M.-V. Leroy, who taught dogmatic theology, but who, unfortunately, wrote very little. Both of them were profoundly marked by the friendship and the intellectual influence of ´Jacques´, that is, of Jacques Maritain. They have passed on to me and to my Dominican fellow brothers from Toulouse, the doctrinal and institutional heritage of the venerable Thomistic school of Saint-Maximin. It is, in my view, a great privilege to be able to join in this way a living doctrinal tradition. It is true that the masters of Saint-Maximin - without being hostile to it - were hardly sensitive to the historical approach to the works of Saint Thomas. While working in Fribourg (Switzerland) with Father Jean-Pierre Torrell and Professor Rudi Imbach, whose assistant I had the chance to be for one year, I become more and more convinced of the importance of the application of the historical method to saint Thomas.

Penance in Latin at the Basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore

In the Papal Basilica of Saint Maria Maggiore in Rome, Penance is heard in Latin. Father Jan Raffaele de Brabandere of the Dominican Order offers the languages of French, Italian, Dutch, English, German, Spanish, Danish, Swedish and Norwegian in the Basilica and the basic language of Latin for all the faithful from the world, who perhaps have a great need on their Rome pilgrimage for the purifying Sacrament of reconciliation and the forgiveness of sins.

Fr. de Brandadere, aged 1928, is residing directly at the Basilica, belongs to the 108 Dominicans active in the Holy City. At the Basilica, he is the Penitentiary and Almoner, and in addition serves as high ranking Prelate of the Papal Household. The doctoral Church Musician is also famous for his compositions in church music.

Text: Orbis catholicus/Giuseppe Nardi, from the German.

H/t Katholisches...

SSPX Superior Warns Against Speculation About Meeting in Vatican

Edit: More news from kath.net. Not the most friendly to the Society of St. Pius X, but they have reported this from the French District

Previously circulating rumors about the possibility of the formal recognition of the Society of St. Pius X

Paris (kath.net/KAP)The General Superior of the Society of St. Pius X, [Bishop] Bernard Fellay, is warning against speculation about the meeting in Rome in the middle of September. He knows only that it is only to discuss the doctrinal talks, which the Society had held with the Holy See, says French District Superior of the Society, [Father] Regis de Cacqueray, on the internet from a speech of +Fellay. The General Superior continued on this with the following: "Everything else is only speculation." +Fellay also pled on this, "not to run after rumors".

+Fellay and his assistants, Niklaus Pfluger and Alain-Marc Nely are going to meet with the Prefect of the Vatican's Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Cardinal William Joseph Levada. This was previously released by the German District Superior, Father Franz Schmidberger. Father Schmidberger explained that "it is generally assumed that this meeting will turn to the Society's position with respect to canon law."

According to reports given by Vatican observers and their speculation, that the Holy See plans on offering the Society its own canonical status. Informed circles also think it possible that it will be similar structure to the arrangement which united incoming the Anglicans to the Catholic Church.

The previous doctrinal discussions between the Vatican and the Society of Pius X [they say Lefebvrists] to various contested contents of the Catholic Magisterium [sic]. This will revolve, above all, on the central questions of the Second Vatican Council (1962-1965). At first, when this problem is clarified, the Vatican will hold a briefing about the theme of the canonical regularization of the Society.
Observers agree that it will be the next step to a formal recognition of the agreement on the side of the Society.

The Society of Saint Pius X was founded in 1969 by Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, refused the central Church reforms of the 20th Century. It is not recognized by the Vatican. Pope Benedict XVI. lifted the excommunications in January of 2009 in order to begin a dialog with the group.

Copyright 2011 Katholische Presseagentur, Wien, Österreich

Gypsies Occupy Roman Basilica

Italy . On Good Friday about 150 Romanian Gypsies, and about 40 children, occupied the Roman Basilica of St. Paul before the walls. They were previously driven from their illegal camp in northwestern Rome.  A report from the German 'Catholic News Agency' said "the Vatican" offered them an "overnight asylum" in the Basilica.  They camped in the space outside of the nave.  Fifty gypsies, who absolved themselves with a walk,  were not allowed back into the Church by the security forces.  By Easter Night, there were still 60 people camped in the Church.  The Gypsies occupy themselves in Rome primarily with begging and pick pocketing.

Link here, kreuz..translation.

Basilica contains relics from the great Apostle himself.

Celibacy Originates From the Time of Jesus and the Apostles: Cardinal Brandmuller

Cardinal Brandmuller: "It is a secure fact of science that at the beginning priests and Bishops were orained, but these from the day of consecration on family life continued, but not, however, the bond of marriage."

Photo of Cardinal Walter Brandmuller from the site 'gloria.tv'

(kreuz.net, Vatikan) The Bavarian Church historian and Cardinal, Walter Brandmuller has challenged Anti-Celibacy politicians of the German CDU.

"What makes them legitimate as politicians, to take positions on internal-Church themes, when they have neither the office nor the knowledge?"

This question was put by the Cardinal in an open letter which appeared in the 'Frankfurter Allgemeinen Zeitung'.

Cardinal Brandmuller commented on a writing which was published last friday by eight politicans of the German homosexual and abortion CDU party.

Within there were arguments for the allowance of priestly marriage.

The Faith has failed, Not the Priest

In their writing these politicians made a connection between the priest shortage to the lifting of priestly celibacy worldwide.

Actually Cardinal Brandmuller refuted them.

He pointed to "the increasingly lower number of Mass goers and faithful, who receive the Sacraments."

The Union politicians were made to look like fools because for them "it wasn't only   celibacy, but the first steps back to an 'other Church'".

The German National Church is Shattered

The promotion for the German special way may lead to schism -- warned Cardinal Brandmuller:

"Are you aware that you are only part of a campaign that has been engaged since the beginning of the 19th Century -- and which is failed today.?" -- the Cardinal asks the politicians.

The CDU-functionaries have put a way of life in question, "those who are the overwhelming number of priests who are convinced and are living truthfully of their own free will."

Cardinal Brandmuller also informed these Union politicians that they are insulting Jesus Christ with this campaign:

"Priests who are living unmarried like the young Jesus do nothing else, besides making their manner of life like that of the Master."


The Priests of the Early Church Were Already Living Celibate Lives

Furthermore, the Prince of the Church explained to the anti-Celibacy politicians that the priestly celibacy is an apostolic tradition:

"It is surely scientifically proven that in the beginning married men were certainly ordained as priests and bishops, but from the day of consecration on, probably the family life continued, but not, however, the married bond."

That also goes for the researchers that even  an ecumenical Council itself couldn't ignore:

"It is therefore urgent  to express that this discussion, which we have already exhausted to tedium and  harmed and thoroughly multiplied the confusion of the faithful, be brought to an end."

Kreuz...here...

Papal Mass: Communion in the Hand Refused

At this years Christmass Mass by Pope Benedict XVI the priests who were giving Communion refused communion in the hand.

[kreuz.net, Vatican]  At this years Midnight Mass in the St. Peter's Basilica, there was no hand communion.


Father Z at wdtprs.com from an Italian priest in Rome who wrote:

In a change to former practice, those distributing Holy Communion at the Holy Father’s Mass tonight were told that ‘at all Papal Masses Communion is to be given only on the tongue.’ The usual statement that Prelates receive in the same way as the Laity remained.

thought you might be interested.

You can see the video at kreuz.net, here from Gloria TV.

Vatican Speaker Denies Accusations Against Benedict XVI

Hamburg "Spiegel" cited in its Monday edition the supposedly incriminating document in the case of a pedophile clergyman.

Vatican (kath.net/KAP) Vatican Speaker Federico Lombardi has rejected the allegation, there is a new one, that an incriminating document in the case of a pedophile clergyman from his time as Archbishop of Munich.  There are no new findings in this matter, said Lombardi this Saturday for journalists in Rome.  He admonished a report from the Archdiocese of Munich, and also made his earlier statement on the case of the Munich chaplain from the March of this year.

The German periodical, "Der Spiegel" reported in its edition appearing Monday from a letter of the year of 1980 in which a chaplain moved from the Diocese of Essen to Munich because of child abuse, and then had been shifted in an assignment  as pastor by then Archbishop Joseph Ratzinger. The chaplain had been assigned in this letter and in the parish newsletter, from which it also happens, said that he had a lot of contact in a ministerial capacity with adolescents and children, this is according to information from the earlier Munich community of the clergyman.

The Archdiocese of Munich made it clear that the current Pope had no knowledge of the Essen Chaplain's reassignment to a pastoral role in Munich.  Under Ratzinger's initiative it was agreed upon in 1980,  to restrict the chaplain to a rectory, so that he could receive therapy, disclosed the Archdiocese.  Deviating from this decision the current Vicar General Gerhard Gruber had in any case attached the man to a Munich pastoral care.  In the mean time, the retired Gruber had assumed full responsibility for this decision.

Read the original...kath.net...