“I beg you and ask you with all my heart: retrace your steps! I urge you to carefully consider the spiritual good of the faithful, because the act schismatic that you would do would deprive them of the lawful and in some cases even valid reception of Sacraments which they love and seek for their own sanctification”. Thus Pope Leo in a letter to the Superior General of the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius (lefebvriani).
Pope Leo to the Lefebvrians: “Consider the spiritual good of the faithful”
“The Church is available for a path of dialogue and understanding that the Holy Spirit can make possible and fruitful”, underlines the Pontiff. “I pray for you, because tearing the useless Tunic of Christ is a sin of extreme gravity. May the Lord enlighten your consciences and awaken your hearts. For the authority received from Christ, with a sorrowful soul, but still full of hope, I feel the duty to ask you to desist from your intent and I entrust these intentions to the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Mother of Good Counsel”.
The four new bishops
The appeal of Leone takes place on the eve of the announced ones episcopal ordinations on the part of Priestly Fraternity of Saint Piusfounded by Monsignor Marcel Lefebvre. The four new bishops will be ordained (barring last-minute decisions), a Econe (Swiss).
The clash with the Holy See
The Fraternity is in conflict with the Holy See for the rejection of the reforms of Vatican Council II. Il June 28th the traditionalist group, led by the Superior General, Fr Davide Pagliaranihe had ordered 5 priests e 4 deacons.
The ceremony in Econe
The ceremony tomorrow, scheduled at Econewill be broadcast in six languages (French, English, German, Spanish, Italian, Polish) and will be presided over by Monsignor Alfonso de Galarretaprincipal consecrating bishop, assisted by Monsignor Bernard Fellay as co-consecrator.
Don Pagliarini: “We wish to serve the Church”
“I simply ask you to consider the authenticity of this intention, which is not at all artificial. Paradoxically, in the current context, it seems to us It’s our duty to do everything we can to mend things the tunic of Christ, torn by forces and pressures incompatible with an authentic Catholic spirit”. Superior General of the Priestly Fraternity Saint Piustear apart the useless tunic of Christ It is an extremely serious sin.”
“I simply ask you to consider the authenticity of this intention before making a decision regarding the Society of Saint PiusFar be it from us to think of separating ourselves from the Catholic Church Roman; on the contrary, we wish to serve her in extraordinary ways, as we come to the aid of a mother in difficulty who needs special help, even if this help is not understood by everyone.”
The Holy See, continues Don Pagliarani, “has already demonstrated its ability to understand very complex situations and to take the necessary time. I therefore take the liberty of ask her, with a filial spiritto dedicate the necessary time to this discernment”. The Superior General adds that for some time he wanted to have the opportunity to meet the Pontiff to personally express the “sincere desire to serve the Church” but “unfortunately this opportunity has not yet arisen”, he adds.
He does not expressly write either to accept the Pope’s appeal or to reject it even if he recalls that the Fraternity was declared schismatic as early as 1988“for reasons and in circumstances completely similar to those today”. “And yet, after so many years, we speak to each other like a father to his son.” “His Holiness paternally urges me to avoid a schism that, theoretically, would have already occurred – continues Don Pagliarani. “Don’t think that this very attitude, whose concern I deeply appreciate, constitutes proof that the Fraternity is neither schismatic nor hostile to the Church?”.
“One day, all the difficulties between the Holy See and the Fraternity will be resolved – he continues – gesture of understanding on your partfar from harming unity, could only demonstrate to the world and to all Christians His concern for unity and His paternal benevolence. I entrust all this to your benevolent consideration. I renew my prayer to Your Holiness. For some time, even before your election, I have been praying to Saint Rita for the current situation. I saw in the election of an Augustinian Pope a sign of hope. I am sure that the saint will intercede. It’s never too late. I kindly ask you to give us your blessing”, concludes the letter Don Pagliarana with the renewal of the expression of his most deep devotion to the Lord.