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James Martin, S.J.September 16, 2009

Talks with between the Vatican and the (formerly?) breakaway Society of St. Pius X are about to begin, in late October.  As our former associate (and longtime and beloved) editor John W. Donohue used to say, "Stay tuned."  Here's the story from Zenit.

VATICAN CITY, SEPT. 15, 2009 (Zenit.org).- The Holy See will hold talks with the Society of St. Pius X in October, according to a Vatican spokesman, and not "in a few days," as earlier reported by an Austrian cardinal.  Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, director of the Vatican press office, confirmed today that the meeting will take place during the last two weeks of October.
He also revealed the three Vatican representatives: Dominican Father Charles Morerod, secretary-general of the International Theological Commission, Jesuit Josef Becker, and the vicar general of Opus Dei, Father Ocariz Brana. The archbishop of Vienna, Cardinal Christoph Schönborn, told the Passauer Neue Presse on Saturday that the talks would begin this week.

He also [said] "the SSPX will be told very clearly what is not negotiable for the Holy See. This includes such fundamental conclusions of the Second Vatican Council as its positions on Judaism, other non-Christian religions, other Christian churches and on religious freedom as a basic human right."

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15 years 7 months ago
It's reassuring that the Holy See holds some things to be non-negotiable in their talks with the Society of St. Pius X-and some very important things indeed: ''such fundamental conclusions of the Second Vatican Council as its positions on Judaism, other non-Christian religions, other Christian churches and on religious freedom as a basic human right.'' I can't help wishing, however, that the Vatican II renewal of the liturgy, which had a great deal to do with the Society's schismatic actions, were included in this list as well.  
15 years 7 months ago
When discussing the renewal of the Liturgy as specified by the 2nd Vatican Council, it is good to remember what the documents actually said.
Beyond that, whatever brings so much as one person back into full Communion is a blessed act, and we must pray for its success.

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