by Serre Verweij
The possibility of a new rupture with the Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX) hangs over Rome in the early days of the Leonine pontificate. The SSPX has argued it’s necessary for them to ordain new bishops. A request for permission for the consecrations was predictably denied. Attempts were made at establishing a dialogue with the SSPX, specifically over contentious interpretations of the Second Vatican Council, but these soon stranded, largely over the same traditional fault lines.
To complicate matters further, Leo inherited Fernandez as prefect of the DDF (along with many prefects over 75 and a divided Curia). As a result the highly controversial progressive Argentinian cardinal has by default become the one to conduct the talks with the SSPX. This hasn’t made the situation easier for either the SSPX or Pope Leo.
A respected source said that the Pope whom Pope Leo is most influenced by is Pope John Paul II. This bodes somewhat badly for the SSPX as it was under John Paul II that the SSPX bishops were first excommunicated. At the same time, circumstances are currently radically different, Leo enjoys the benefit of hindsight and decades of events to provide practical wisdom. Many conservative cardinals influenced by John Paul II are relatively sympathetic towards the SSPX. They’re not isolated and stigmatized the way they were under Paul VI or the early days of John Paul II.
At the same time, Cardinal Müller and Cardinal Burke have expressed themselves very critical of any attempts by the SSPX to go ahead with unapproved ordinations, while Bishop Schneider suggests excommunication for such ordinations would be invalid. Even orthodox prelates seem somewhat split on the dilemma.
What are the options for Pope Leo to deal with a new possible rupture?
Set up a special discussion body that meets with the SSPX
To circumvent Fernandez, Pope Leo could appoint a specialized body of theologians and prelates to look for possible agreement with the SSPX regarding the Second Vatican Council. Whether this would get the SSPX to desist in the long term is likely to depend in large part on whether Rome is willing to bend on certain contentious aspects of Vatican II in ways which it was unwilling to under John Paul II and Pope Benedict XVI.
Pope Leo has shown himself to not be as rigidly committed to the Second Vatican Council on certain issues. His catechesis series on it so far has been very standard and rather limited in its interpretation. He acknowledged that the permanent deaconate did not pan out the way many expected and is not too ideologically committed to liberal democracy. He has largely framed it as refocusing the Church on Christ and evangelization. He has also been a bit more reserved in the way he has engaged in interreligious dialogue. He belatedly affirmed religious freedom for non-Catholics during his diplomatic address but did so in the context of fiercely opposing anti-Christian persecution. Will he permit the SSPX to deny that religious freedom for false religions is a right?
Cardinal Zen has called on the SSPX to trust Pope Leo’s interpretation of the Second Vatican Council. This begs the question where this interpretation stands on the disputed issues. Under Francis, Cardinal Burke and Bishop Schneider produced a declaration of faith that was meant to provide clarity amidst the confusion caused by Francis. Beyond affirming the sinfulness of homosexual acts and that the divorced remarried cannot receive communion, it also denied that there could be a religious freedom that gave a right to things such as idolatry. Error was not afforded rights in the same way as truth. Will Pope Leo permit such interpretations for the SSPX? Will they not be forced to break with Pope Pius IX’s Syllabus of Errors? Crucially, could he convince the SSPX that he is not stringing them along?
Give permission for the Consecrations to go ahead
This would be an extraordinary gesture by Pope Leo and likely earn him immense love amongst the traditionalists across the world. It is very unlikely he will do this, however, even if he might personally want to. Not only would he instantly become the target of media and secular hostility that is far worse than Pope Benedict faced during his worst days, but many moderate bishops might feel like Pope Leo is siding with schismatics and undermining their authority.
Furthermore, Pope Leo has made the unity message, pushed by the conservative cardinals during the conclave key to his pontificate. So far, he has taken a harsher tone on the dissident Germans than Francis did. It appears he aims at forcing them into gradually conceding without losing face by using good cop - bad cops tactics. If he gives permission to the SSPX to engage in what is ordinarily viewed as schismatic activity, this risks being used against him, and could be invoked by those on the left.
Don’t give permission but don’t punish disobedience
This is theoretically possible, but exceptionally unlikely. While this de facto has been happening with China in recent years, before Francis signed the extremely controversial deal in 2018 (which China repeatedly violated in their favour anyways) Rome excommunicated illicitly ordained bishops supported by the Chinese state. Francis (and Parolin and McCarrick) changed this practice and Leo has inherited the consequences.
The Chinese state has so far stopped unilaterally appointing bishops under Leo. For the new Pope to validate consecrations without papal mandate when no secular state is involved, has the same risks as giving explicit permission. It is likely to be used against him in the future.
Refuse to give permission but revoke excommunications in just a few years
One possibility is that Pope Leo will issue the expected excommunications but not let them stick for 21 years this time. That it will be treated as a (de facto) temporary setback of the talks in just a few years. When one is required to punish technical rule-breaking but sympathetic towards the ones doing it, mild punishment is often the preferred choice. If this turns out to be Pope Leo’s strategy, it will likely only become clear in a few years.
Will this become an indefinite cycle where the SSPX ordains new bishops, excommunications by Rome instantly follow, institutional conservatives criticize the action as schismatic but still favour dialogue and traditionalist sympathizing bishops question the legitimacy of the excommunications? A thawing of relations follows, next faux restoration of regular communion talks, these break down and then new ordinations again?
Or will the cycle end when Vatican II generation bishops die out along with remaining influences of Francis? Could the SSPX be fully returned to regular communion then?
Conclusion
Pope Leo has so far shown a desire to integrate traditionalists in the Church rather than isolate them the way Francis did. He has met with tradition-friendly bishops and cardinals and refused to fully endorse Traditionis Custodes. He also seems to have again buried the rupture school that frames Vatican II as a (positive) break with the past.
What choices Pope Leo makes regarding the SSPX could tip his hand on how far his sympathies for traditionalists go and how conservative his interpretation of Vatican II is. It will likely also indicate the extent of his diplomatic abilities.
But in the end, Fernandez might up sabotaging everything.
