Yesterday, following the election of their new Superior-General, the General Chapter of the Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX) elected his two Assistants: Bishop Alfonso de Galarreta and Father Christian Bouchacourt.
The religion correspondent of the main French daily, Le Figaro, Jean-Marie Guénois, explains the new situation:
Lefebvrists: Bishop Fellay is toppled, Father Davide Pagliarani becomes new Superior-Generalby Jean-Marie GuénoisIn the setting of a General Chapter that took place Wednesday in Ecône, Switzerland, a new Superior-General was elected to head the Society of Saint Pius X, toppling the current Superior, Bishop Fellay, that was nonetheless considered the favorite. With this new man in charge, Father Davide Pagliarani, it is the side opposed to a rapprochement with Rome that has now has the upper hand.
It is a surprise. After two terms of twelve years heading the Society of Saint Pius X -- founded by Abp. Marcel Lefebvre, leader of the opponents of the Vatican II Council -- Bishop Bernard Fellay, 60, of Swiss nationality, was not re-elected as Superior General. Yet, he had been considered as the favorite....It was also learned in the evening that Bishop de Galarreta and Father Christian Bouchacourt -- of French nationality and superior of the District of France -- had been elected "assistants" of the new Superior. The orientation of this new team suggests that the dossier of rapprochement with Rome could slow down, or stagnate, considering how relevant are the doctrinal disagreements between the Vatican and Ecône.
[Source: Le Figaro, July 11/12, 2018 - excerpts]
