The President of the Polish Episcopal Conference sent a letter on the matter of the removal of the excommunications of the SSPX Bishops to Pope Benedict XVI. The Pope's "great courage" is praised by the Polish bishops, who also assure the Holy Father of their prayer.
Excerpts:
Warsaw, February 6, 2009.
Beloved Holy Father,
On behalf of the bishops of the Polish Episcopal Conference, I wish to express to Your Holiness words of gratitude for the latest gestures and steps, which have shown the concern of the Successor of St. Peter for the unity of the Church of Christ.
Opening the door of dialogue in view of the healing of a painful split is an act of great courage and genuine pastoral charity, ... .
We trust that this paternal gesture will be greeted with a similar willingness and openness on the part of the bishops and the faithful of the Fraternity of Saint Pius X and will lead them to accept without reservations the whole teaching and discipline of the Church, including the Second Vatican Council and the Magisterium of the recent Popes.
In response to the call to prayer, rest assured, Holy Father, that the Church in Poland is constantly supporting the Successor of St. Peter in his concern for all the Churches and prays to the Lord that every step towards the reconciliation of the Christian faithful may bring forth fruit.
...
† Józef Michalik
Metropolitan Archbishop of Przemyśl
President of the Polish Episcopal Conference
† Stanisław Gądecki
Vice President
Polish Episcopal Conference
† Stanisław Budzik
Secretary-General
Polish Episcopal Conference
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Original text (Polish).
Original text (Polish).
