Pius X leader gives cool reaction to Vatican peace offering

Fr. Niklaus Pfluger

A senior figure in the breakaway traditionalist group, the Society of St. Pius X, says it could be “very, very difficult” for the Vatican and the Society to agree on terms for reconciliation.

“Assisi III and even more the unfortunate beatification of John Paul II but also many other examples make it clear that the leadership of the Church now as before is not ready to give up the false principles of Vatican II and their consequences,” said the Society’s First Assistant, Father Niklaus Pfluger, in an interview posted on the Society’s website Oct. 2.

“Therefore,” Fr. Pfluger said, “any ‘offer’ made to Tradition must guarantee us the freedom to be able to continue our work and our critique of ‘modernist Rome.’  And to be honest, this seems to be very, very difficult.  Again, any false or dangerous compromise must be ruled out.”

“Assisi III” refers to a planned meeting between Pope Benedict XVI and other religious leaders in the Italian town later this month.

Fr. Pfluger’s comments come only weeks after the Vatican presented the Society with a “doctrinal preamble” which outlines points of doctrine that Rome needs clarified before the decades-long rift between the two sides can be healed. If they agree, it is thought the Society could be offered a personal prelature status within the Church – a jurisdiction without geographical boundaries designed to carry out particular pastoral initiatives

Fr. Pfluger revealed that the superiors of the Society of St. Pius X will meet next week in the Albano Laziale suburb of Rome to discuss the offer. He stressed that they will not compromise on their criticism of the Second Vatican Council “and other ways of doing things for the sake of ‘pluralism.’” [more]

SOURCE

Catholic News Agency