A German bishop has weighed in against plans by the Society of St. Pius X (SSPX) to ordain three priests for the traditionalist order.Bishop Gerhard Mueller of Regensburg, in whose diocese the ordinations are scheduled to take place, said that the ceremony would be a "provocation" in light of the irregular status of the SSPX.
In 2009 the Pope lifted the excommunications of the four SSPX bishops whose illicit consecration in 1998 had led to the break between the traditionalist group and the Holy See.
However the SSPX bishops are not authorized by the Vatican to perform any episcopal functions.
SSPX officials are currently involved in talks with the Vatican, designed to resolve theological issues that still divide the traditionalist group from the Holy See.
Bishop Mueller said that the ordination of new priests for the order could cause a setback on that road to reconciliation.
SIC: CC