Reuters and AFP (France Presse) have reported on it, but they have not transcribed the exact words. Below is a translation of the interview (French)which the Superior-General of the Fraternity of Saint Pius X, Bishop Bernard Fellay, granted at Radio-France to the [French] Association of Religious Information Journalists.
For copyright reasons, I present only excerpts (those I consider the most important) of the interview.
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Jean-Claude Noyé, Apic journalist in Paris
A conclusion for the conflict under the pontificate of Benedict XVI
Paris, January 13, 2006 (Apic). The Superior-General of the Fraternity of Saint Pius X has wished to minimise the oppositions between the latter and the Vatican. Bishop Bernard Fellay has expressed the certainty that the conclusion of the conflict begun in 1988 between John Paul II and Archbishop Lefèbvre will be reached under the reign of the new pope.
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Question: Where is your dialogue with Rome after August 29, date of your meeting with Benedict XVI?
Bernard Fellay: It continues slowly. In fact, it takes time to overcome the reciprocal mistrust. But I am convinced, for my part, that we will reach a conclusion. We have had a long discussion, the most fruitful of all of them, and have discussed the deep issues. Rome wishes to settle the problem quickly and the papal audience, for which we had asked last May, was rapidly granted to us. The Magisterium privileges a pragmatic approach. We are slowing things down because we do not wish a superficial solution. The pope has charged Cardinal Castrillón Hoyos to dialogue with us. The latter has explained, in an interview to an Italian television, that we are not heretics, but that we must, both sides, reach for a more perfect communion. It is a new language.
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Q.: Differently from you, Benedict XVI defended, on his speech to the Curia of December 22, 2005, that the Church has been constant in this question... [of religious liberty]
B.F.: Not at all, for he introduces a distinction between a rupture in the action and a continuity in principle. In any case, the pope has the will to re-read the Council, to present it otherwise.
Q.: Has this papal speech pleased you?
B.F.: Yes, because of its clarity, its precision, and the will to propose true questions. Though, in my opinion, it does not go today far enough.
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Q.: Do you ask for a peculiar [canonical] position inside the Catholic Church?
B.F.: Rome will probably grant it to us. [...]
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Q.: What will be the [canonical] status which Rome could grant you?
B.F.: That of an Apostolic Administration. Regarding the authority of the bishop, we would have a regime of exemption, as it is the case in the diocese of Campos, Brazil. Rome would allow the faithful of the Fraternity Saint Pius X to enjoy the benefit of a parallel authority, but still under the local bishop.
