Via Rorate Caeli word that the Holy See has sent a note to Bishop Fellay "inviting" him to clarify the SSPX's position not later than April 15 in order to avoid a potentially serious rupture. If this is not exactly an ultimatum, it is a none too thinly veiled threat and a clear signal that Rome's patience is at last running out.
On a side note, for those with superstitious inclinations the date is an ominous one. April 15th... (Orthodox Easter this year) is also the anniversary of the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, The Ringling Brothers circus fire, the sinking of the Titanic and was for many centuries the date most widely believed to be the one on which Jesus Christ was crucified. It is also Income Tax Day here in the United States. Just saying...
I know it is probably impossible, but it seems to me that the most logical thing for the SSPX to do would be to become Western Rite Orthodox. "Modernist Rome" has been in place for a half century now, and is still going strong, so what becomes of the indefectibility of the church? Bishop Williams aside, the SSPX priests I've met were all fantastic preachers and said a beautiful Mass. Well, I can dream, can't I?
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