Are SSPX in Communion With Rome?
The Society of St. Pius X (SSPX) is a controversial group within the Catholic Church. Since its founding in 1970 by Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, the SSPX has been at odds with the Vatican over matters of doctrine and liturgy. One of the key questions that arise when discussing the SSPX is whether or not they are in communion with Rome.
What is Communion?
In the context of the Catholic Church, communion refers to being in full unity with the Pope and the Magisterium (the teaching authority of the Church). This unity is expressed through shared beliefs, participation in sacraments, and acceptance of papal authority.
The Status of SSPX
At present, the SSPX does not have official canonical recognition from Rome. In 1975, Archbishop Lefebvre established a seminary without proper authorization from the Vatican, leading to his suspension a year later. In 1988, he consecrated four bishops against papal orders, resulting in his excommunication along with those bishops.
Despite these actions, there have been ongoing discussions between representatives of the Holy See and the SSPX to reconcile their differences and bring them back into full communion with Rome.
Pope Benedict XVI’s Initiative
In 2007, Pope Benedict XVI issued a document called Motu Proprio Summorum Pontificum. This document aimed to promote greater use of the traditional Latin Mass and address some concerns raised by traditionalist groups like SSPX.
- It allowed for wider celebration of Mass using pre-Vatican II liturgical forms.
- Priests were granted greater freedom to celebrate Mass in the extraordinary form without needing explicit permission from their bishops.
- Pope Benedict XVI hoped that this initiative would encourage dialogue and reconciliation with groups like SSPX.
Current Developments
In 2009, Pope Benedict XVI lifted the excommunications of the four SSPX bishops as a goodwill gesture toward reconciliation. Discussions continued over the following years, and in 2017, Pope Francis granted the SSPX priests the ability to validly administer sacraments during the Jubilee Year of Mercy.
While these actions have been seen as positive steps toward full communion, it is important to note that the SSPX still lacks canonical recognition. Their priests do not have official faculties to administer sacraments outside of specific circumstances granted by Rome.
Conclusion
The question of whether or not the SSPX is in communion with Rome remains a complex and ongoing issue. While progress has been made through various initiatives and gestures, full reconciliation and canonical recognition have not yet been achieved. The future relationship between the SSPX and Rome will continue to be a topic of interest for those within and outside of the Catholic Church.