That is the way some characterize the lengthy sermon delivered yesterday by Bishop Alfonso de Galarreta, of the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X (FSSPX / SSPX), in the Écône ordinations (audio in French provided by DICI) - we would not completely disagree with this. When we heard it yesterday, after a first half marked by the usual contrasts between traditional doctrine and the "Spirit of 1789", its second half, in particular, seemed to be dominated by a need to justify dealings with Rome. "We are Catholic, Apostolic - and Roman," he emphasized, in the turning point of the sermon, adding that the crisis must be solved by Rome, and adding that "caritas Christi urget nos" (Christ's charity impels us) to deal with those in Rome.
Now, our caveat would be that nothing of this is truly new: that the notion that the crisis must be resolved from the visible top of the Church is one that is quite traditional and that, it seems, the Fraternity has always defended (at some times, more clearly, at others, admittedly, much less). We are still, nonetheless, still very much impressed by the words delivered by the Superior General of the Fraternity, Bp. B. Fellay, in Minnesota (already linked twice here), and that, in a way, are complemented by the words delivered in the Valais yesterday: "I can guarantee you, my dear brethren, that if and when Rome finally corrects this canonical situation, the fight will start. It will not be the end!"
Let us pray.
Let us pray.
