So, what should we expect in the next few weeks regarding the ongoing talks between the Holy See and the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X?
First: do not expect big news.
There may be all sorts of rumors from Rome and elsewhere up to the meeting of late March. We will publish those which are trustworthy or credible, but as they are rumors they should not be used to raise expectations. In any case, both from the Holy See and from the FSSPX there will not be official news regarding anything, perhaps well into Eastertide.
Rumors are quite necessary to understand the steps of the process (by "process" we mean the discussions and decisions which eventually lead to some kind of stable position for the Traditional rites of the Roman Mass and Sacraments and for the priests and faithful attached to them in the Church at large, which may -- or may not -- include some kind of "reconciliation" of the FSSPX). For instance, in strictly "official" terms, there has been no official note on the topics discussed in the Papal-Curial meeting of February 13, but we know from credible "rumors" what kind of discussion took place. In any case, do not get anxious with any apparent lack of news: it means the machinery is working properly.
Second: do not expect a "magic" date.
Catholics who follow these events know that it is common that rumors regarding a "certain" date for a "certain event" are spread. But readers should be wary of these "magic" dates. For instance, it was wrongly interpreted by some that the news we last published meant that something great will "officially" happen in the next meeting, scheduled for March 23. It is certain that important decisions will be taken then, but the results may take a few weeks or even months to be divulged.
The most important aspect of our recent piece was to present what we consider to be the overwhelming evidence that this process is being led, by the part of the Holy See, by the direct will of His Holiness -- there can be no doubt about it. Petty legalisms and collective threats, which weighed heavily on the mind of his predecessor on this matter, will have no such influence on the lord Pope Benedict, the sixteenth of that name...
Third: do not overinterpret, understand the details.
Many people in all sides wish to overplay their influence and pretend they can determine the outcome; they cannot. As we have warned here before, be careful with interviews and rumors from some sources who are not as knowledgeable on the matter as one would be led to believe from their titles
Regarding those who have a say in the process: in the current stage, even the texts which seem most clear are actually full of interesting details. Do not overinterpret them -- but do not simply take them at face value.
First: do not expect big news.
There may be all sorts of rumors from Rome and elsewhere up to the meeting of late March. We will publish those which are trustworthy or credible, but as they are rumors they should not be used to raise expectations. In any case, both from the Holy See and from the FSSPX there will not be official news regarding anything, perhaps well into Eastertide.
Rumors are quite necessary to understand the steps of the process (by "process" we mean the discussions and decisions which eventually lead to some kind of stable position for the Traditional rites of the Roman Mass and Sacraments and for the priests and faithful attached to them in the Church at large, which may -- or may not -- include some kind of "reconciliation" of the FSSPX). For instance, in strictly "official" terms, there has been no official note on the topics discussed in the Papal-Curial meeting of February 13, but we know from credible "rumors" what kind of discussion took place. In any case, do not get anxious with any apparent lack of news: it means the machinery is working properly.
Second: do not expect a "magic" date.
Catholics who follow these events know that it is common that rumors regarding a "certain" date for a "certain event" are spread. But readers should be wary of these "magic" dates. For instance, it was wrongly interpreted by some that the news we last published meant that something great will "officially" happen in the next meeting, scheduled for March 23. It is certain that important decisions will be taken then, but the results may take a few weeks or even months to be divulged.
The most important aspect of our recent piece was to present what we consider to be the overwhelming evidence that this process is being led, by the part of the Holy See, by the direct will of His Holiness -- there can be no doubt about it. Petty legalisms and collective threats, which weighed heavily on the mind of his predecessor on this matter, will have no such influence on the lord Pope Benedict, the sixteenth of that name...
Third: do not overinterpret, understand the details.
Many people in all sides wish to overplay their influence and pretend they can determine the outcome; they cannot. As we have warned here before, be careful with interviews and rumors from some sources who are not as knowledgeable on the matter as one would be led to believe from their titles
Regarding those who have a say in the process: in the current stage, even the texts which seem most clear are actually full of interesting details. Do not overinterpret them -- but do not simply take them at face value.
