If it can come to an agreement with the priestly Society of Saint Pius X, the Vatican intends to publish the “doctrinal preamble” in which this agreement will be concluded, in view of the traditionalist society’s re-entry into full communion with Rome. The two separated in 1988. This is what authorized Vatican sources are indicating, on the eve of a meeting, during which, Lefebvrians in charge should decide whether or not to accept the principles contained in the doctrinal preamble submitted last 14 September by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, which constitutes a preliminary condition to the establishment of a personal prelacy.
“We have nothing to hide,” sources close to the matter affirmed to the Vatican before adding: “It is clear that once the text is finalized, we will publish it.” At the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei, the intention is to leave the door open to “clarifications” if necessary and make it clear that it is “a provisional text”, remitted to Msgr Bernard Fellay, Superior at the Society of Saint Pius X, and to his colleagues, during their visit to the Vatican on 14 September. The disclosure of this text would allow them to respond to the concerns of certain ecclesiastical circles, which fear that concessions made by Rome to the Lefebvrians will be excessive.
Heads of the Society of Saint Pius X met behind closed doors on 7 and 8 October in Albano, near Rome (Italy), to study the proposal made by the Vatican, for a two year term of doctrinal discussions between the experts commissioned by the Pope and representatives of the society.
In a recent interview with the Austrian internet channel Gloria TV, the Secretary of the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei made its “substantially positive” impression known at the end of the theological dialogue with the Lefebvrians, hoping henceforth that they could give a “favorable, positive, affirmative” response.
As the Vatican awaits a response from the Lefebvrians, one of them has already made their position very clear. One of Msgr Fellay’s assistants said the Society of Saint Pius X would never accept any “compromise” with the Vatican.