Tuesday, December 24, 2013

Senior Vatican Official: SSPX is Schismatic

The leaders of the traditionalist Society of St. Pius X (SSPX) are in schism, and remain suspended from the sacraments, says the prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

In an interview with the Italian daily Corriere della Sera, Archbishop Gerhard Müller said that although Pope Benedict XVI lifted the canonical excommunication of SSPX prelates, they remain suspended from the sacraments because “by their schism they have broken away from communion with the Church.”

Archbishop Müller said that while talks with the SSPX have reach an impasse, the Vatican will not close the door to reconciliation. However, he said, a restoration of full communion would require the SSPX to accept the authority of the Church and of the Pope. 
From here.

Actually the cardinal said they were "de facto schismatic." The distinction is not unimportant among Roman Catholics. But yeah, he is basically affirming what I have been saying for years. I wonder if he reads the blog?

2 comments:

August said...

I am not sure how he arrives at the conclusion that they are suspended from the sacraments. Eastern Orthodox sacraments are recognized as valid. Is it the opinion of the Vatican that the SSPXs sacraments are invalid because they like them less?

John (Ad Orientem) said...

Suspended does not mean invalid. It means they are barred from the sacraments for schism. The technical term for RCs would be interdict.