One of the most poignant documents of the Benedict XVI pontificate was his letter justifying himself to the global elites for the lifting of the excommunications of the bishops consecrated for the Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX) in 1988.
The 2009 letter included this remarkable paragraph:
Certainly, for some time now, and once again on this specific occasion, we have heard from some representatives of that community many unpleasant things – arrogance and presumptuousness, an obsession with one-sided positions, etc. Yet to tell the truth, I must add that I have also received a number of touching testimonials of gratitude which clearly showed an openness of heart. But should not the great Church also allow herself to be generous in the knowledge of her great breadth, in the knowledge of the promise made to her? Should not we, as good educators, also be capable of overlooking various faults and making every effort to open up broader vistas? And should we not admit that some unpleasant things have also emerged in Church circles? At times one gets the impression that our society needs to have at least one group to which no tolerance may be shown; which one can easily attack and hate. And should someone dare to approach them – in this case the Pope – he too loses any right to tolerance; he too can be treated hatefully, without misgiving or restraint. [source]
Despite the overtures by Benedict XVI and Francis, the SSPX is still treated like lepers. This, for instance, happened in the past few days in Italy:
On March 28, participants in a pilgrimage organized by the SSPX were prevented from entering the sanctuary of Our Lady of Sorrows in Cuceglio (near Turin, Italy). Father Aldo Rossi, the priest in charge of the pilgrimage, read a statement in front of the church.
Although the pilgrimage had been announced, the doors remained closed to them.
The newspaper La Voce reported that several priests, the Consoling Sisters of the Sacred Heart, and numerous faithful—including young families—participated in this pilgrimage of several kilometers, some carrying a statue of Our Lady of Sorrows. As the newspaper wrote, “The faithful of the Saint-Charles de Montalenghe priory had organized a Lenten pilgrimage, announced in advance.” “No Mass, no liturgical celebration: only a few final prayers, as a gesture of devotion,” were planned.
La Voce, a secular newspaper, continues its report with astonishment: according to its sources, the decision to close the gates to the group of pilgrims was made by the rector of the sanctuary, Don Luca Meinardi, under the influence of his superior, the Bishop of Ivrea, Mgr. Daniele Salera. The newspaper comments: "A choice that inevitably contradicts an ecclesiastical vocabulary which, in recent years, has emphasized words like welcome, inclusion, dialogue, and mercy." [source]
It's embarrassing for a Catholic to see secular media be more reasonable than bishops and priests. How shameful.
