Many are confused regarding this anonymous priest's response, in Angelqueen, to the many anonymous, yet converging, rumors, from very different sources, which have come to light in the past few days regarding the negotiations between the Holy See and the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X.
To those who are curious, I say: please, read between the lines. If neither the Fraternity itself nor the Ecclesia Dei bureaucracy has issued a clear denial of the rumors (which, as I have made clear above, originate from very different sources, yet tell the same story), an anonymous denial is not enough to dispel the many coinciding sources.
Now, to the facts:
1. Regarding the meeting of December 2005, it has been confirmed by many different trustworthy sources. Maybe some did not wish it to be made public, but it is too late for that.
2. The same priest confirms that a list of the Fraternity's priests was delivered to the Vatican; he says: "No list of SSPX priests has been given to Rome. A list was given of the various COUNTRIES the SSPX works in, with the NUMBER of priests assigned in each. That is all."
Well, well, except for those intimately involved with the process (including Cardinal Castrillón Hoyos), it is pretty much impossible for anyone to affirm if the list was of the first kind or of the second kind -- but even this priest, who wished to calm down the waters, is forced to admit that a detailed account of the Fraternity's priestly activities was delivered.
3. One is glad for this anonymous priest's wish to calm the faithful, but to imply that the elephant in the room, the negotiations between the Fraternity and Rome, is not up for discussion in the Fraternity's meetings (this week and next week) simply defies belief. No one has declared that the meetings had not already been scheduled before a breakthrough in negotiations, but that the matter will be discussed in these meetings. It is absurd to believe otherwise, and I can assure all that the matter is at the top of the agenda (if not the only item in the agenda) in both meetings.
So what do I mean with "read between the lines"? Despite this good soul's wish to settle matters a bit, his inconclusive denials actually confirm that the great movement of negotiations has begun -- to stop it is now out of the reach of most.
To those who are curious, I say: please, read between the lines. If neither the Fraternity itself nor the Ecclesia Dei bureaucracy has issued a clear denial of the rumors (which, as I have made clear above, originate from very different sources, yet tell the same story), an anonymous denial is not enough to dispel the many coinciding sources.
Now, to the facts:
1. Regarding the meeting of December 2005, it has been confirmed by many different trustworthy sources. Maybe some did not wish it to be made public, but it is too late for that.
2. The same priest confirms that a list of the Fraternity's priests was delivered to the Vatican; he says: "No list of SSPX priests has been given to Rome. A list was given of the various COUNTRIES the SSPX works in, with the NUMBER of priests assigned in each. That is all."
Well, well, except for those intimately involved with the process (including Cardinal Castrillón Hoyos), it is pretty much impossible for anyone to affirm if the list was of the first kind or of the second kind -- but even this priest, who wished to calm down the waters, is forced to admit that a detailed account of the Fraternity's priestly activities was delivered.
3. One is glad for this anonymous priest's wish to calm the faithful, but to imply that the elephant in the room, the negotiations between the Fraternity and Rome, is not up for discussion in the Fraternity's meetings (this week and next week) simply defies belief. No one has declared that the meetings had not already been scheduled before a breakthrough in negotiations, but that the matter will be discussed in these meetings. It is absurd to believe otherwise, and I can assure all that the matter is at the top of the agenda (if not the only item in the agenda) in both meetings.
So what do I mean with "read between the lines"? Despite this good soul's wish to settle matters a bit, his inconclusive denials actually confirm that the great movement of negotiations has begun -- to stop it is now out of the reach of most.
