The FSSPX officially visits Rome. Bishop consecrations?
by Marcelo González, on X
On August 22, the feast of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, the Priestly Fraternity of St. Pius X will visit Rome on the occasion of the Holy Year. Priests, religious, and faithful from around the world will participate, so a large turnout is expected. This is not the first time that pilgrimages have been made, but it is the first time that the visit has been included, albeit partially, in the official calendar of the Holy See. Partially because it is mentioned only in the Italian-language calendar and not in the other six languages in which it is published.
This visit may be a test of the relationship that Pope Leo decides to establish with unofficial traditionalism. According to the latest news, he does not seem to have intervened to defend the traditional Mass in cases that are already under his jurisdiction, such as that of New Zealand, where a congregation has been suppressed without cause by a bishop.
Another topic of great interest: the General Chapter of the FSSPX to be held after the pilgrimage. It is an ordinary General Chapter, marking the end of the six-year term of the Superior General, Father Davide Pagliarani. Mandated by the statutes, there is, however, one issue that concerns the priests and faithful of the institution, namely the need to consecrate bishops to replace those who have died. Only two of the four consecrated in 1988 remain, and for reasons of age and health, plus the impressive growth of the work during the pontificate of Francis, these consecrations are urgent. “We will soon need strength to face the ecclesial event that is beginning to take shape: the consecrations to give assistants, who will one day be their replacements, to the bishops consecrated by Archbishop Lefebvre in 1988,” said the superior of the District of France, Father Benoit de Journa, in his letter to Friends and Benefactors No. 95, dated June 2024. A striking preview of the issue that does not seem to admit much further delay.
Another topic of great interest: the General Chapter of the FSSPX to be held after the pilgrimage. It is an ordinary General Chapter, as it is being held More recently, Fr. Stefan Pfluger, superior of the German district, stated in an interview with a German media outlet: "We currently have two auxiliary bishops. We cannot separate the question of bishops from our fundamental question about our existence.“ And later, regarding the canonical issues involved in a presumed consecration without Rome's mandate: ”Before resorting to this type of measure, the need must be evident," according to Infocatólica.
In fact, today more than 700 priests, many schools, and a huge number of priories and Mass centers, in addition to seminaries and various apostolic works, require them to travel constantly around the world. Several more auxiliary bishops are needed.
Almost nothing is known among the faithful, except that mature but relatively young candidates with experience in governance and excellent doctrinal training are being considered; the rest is speculation, often carried out with a good sense of humor, in the form of bets and jokes among the closest priests.
The decision, however, entails enormous responsibility and poses a real challenge. Will Pope Leo authorize these consecrations? What will his reaction be if they take place without the usual canonical authorization? Permission will undoubtedly be sought, but as in 1988, the need is urgent. Perhaps we will soon find out. (Source, in Spanish)
