Friday of the 2nd Week of Lent
Cardinal Joseph Zen
The SSPX Affair
Faced with the SSPX situation, it seems that even traditionalists are divided. This is very understandable — there are two things to consider. A) A schism must be avoided at all costs, because it will cause serious and lasting damage to the Church; but on the other hand, B) one must also respect a serious matter of conscience: "How can anyone be compelled to follow teachings that clearly deny the Holy Tradition of the Church?"
So how can this case be resolved?
The SSPX have been sent to dialogue with the head of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith — but is there even a minimal hope from this dialogue?
Reading the first reading and the following responsorial psalm from today's Mass, it seems one can view it this way:
Joseph → SSPX
Joseph's brothers → Cardinal Tucho
Reuben→ Pope Leo (perhaps with the help of H.E. Bishop Schneider)
"His brothers hated him."
Tucho, who intends to dismantle the traditions of the Church — how could he not hate the SSPX? He will probably be quite pleased to see them excommunicated!
So is there no hope left?
There is Reuben, the good brother!
There is Leo, the good Father!
The unity of God's family is close to his heart! But what if his sons do not accept the Council?
Pope Leo is someone who listens! He understands, and he will help his sons understand that certain things carried out in the name of the so-called "spirit of the Council" — but contrary to the Tradition of the Church — are not actually of the Council!
And the TLM? Wanting to eliminate it is clearly a mistake. The Novus Ordo did not respect the intentions of the Council Fathers (H.E. Athanasius Schneider has gathered abundant evidence on this point).
Pope Benedict, when speaking of the "reform of the reform," acknowledged the possibility of the two forms of the Roman Rite enriching one another mutually.
Let us place our trust in Pope Leo — he has begun a catechesis on the Documents of the [Vatican II] Council, and it is to those documents that we must all return!
[Rorate note: Incidentally, Pope Leo XIV received in audience yesterday Professors Stephen Bullivant and Stephen Cranney, who have a book on Traditionalists in America coming out later this year (cover image above).]
