In January, Rorate was the first English language venue to reveal (and confirm) that the bishop of Church, the major Swiss diocese that includes the financial center of the country, Zurich, was planning on spending his retirement in a house belonging to the Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX).
Today, the Holy See announced the retirement of Bishop Huonder, and a joint communique by the Bishop and the SSPX confim it.
It was obviously all done with the full knowledge of the Pope (even if it goes unmentioned). It is another step in the full "regularization" of the Society (read this to understand it).
Joint communiqué of Bishop Huonder and Father PagliaraniMAY 20, 2019On Monday, May 20, 2019, Pope Francis relieved Bishop Vitus Huonder of his duties as Bishop of the Diocese of Chur (Switzerland), while appointing an administrator with a view to the election of his successor.According to an intention that he stated long ago, Bishop Huonder is retiring to a house of the Society of Saint Pius X. The one sole purpose of this step is to dedicate himself to prayer and silence, to celebrate the traditional Mass exclusively, and to work for Tradition, the only way of renewing the Church.The Society of Saint Pius X appreciates Bishop Huonder’s courageous decision and rejoices to be able to provide him with the spiritual and priestly surroundings that he desires so deeply. May this example be followed by others, so as to “restore everything in Christ”.May 20, 2019His Excellency Vitus Huonder Don Davide PagliaraniBishop Emeritus of Chur Superior General of the SSPX
