“May the Lord remove the veil that is covering the hearts of Churchmen, and make them recognise that only one Peace is possible between men: that of Christ in the Kingdom of Christ…” This was the statement made by the Italian headquarters of the Society of Saint Pius X, three days ahead of the Pope and other religious leaders’ pilgrimage to Assisi, on 27 October.
The pilgrimage celebrated the 25th anniversary of the first interreligious meeting of its kind, instigated by John Paul II.
Even though Benedict XVI is not quoted, the reference to the veil being removed from the heart is aimed at him.
Benedict XVI welcomed this new meeting in Assisi, although the schedule and structure of the event are different with respect to the one which took place in 1986, placing emphasis on the common pilgrimage in the city of Poverello rather than on prayer.
The Lefebvrian communiqué comes very close to the deadline established by the Holy See for the Society of Saint Pius X to send a response.
Last 14 September, the Society received the text of a doctrinal preamble from the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei, which they had to accept and sign, in view of the re-establishment of a full communion with the Catholic Church and the canonical settlement proposed by the Holy See.
“In compensation for the celebration of the 25th anniversary of the interreligious meeting in Assisi in 1986, the communiqué read, the Society of Saint Pius X is calling for this 27 October to be a day of prayer and penitence. The Brotherhood’s convents will dedicate the day to the adoration of the Holy Sacrament, the recital of the Holy Rosary and members of the Brotherhood will fast.”
The Italian Headquarters of the Society of Saint Pius X went on to say: “We invite all faithful and friends to join together in prayer and in this day of fasting, for the following three reasons: 1) To compensate for the celebration of a historic event which more that any other, has humiliated Mary Magdalene, putting her on the same level as false religions; 2) In order for Christ our Lord to remove the veil that is covering the hearts of Churchmen, making them recognise that only one Peace is possible between men: that of Christ in the Kingdom of Christ. Pax Christi in Regno Christi; 3) So that our Lord may eliminate the growing breeding grounds for war across the world, which seem to be His answer to the “peace” meeting in Assisi.”
The communiqué was signed by the Superior of the Society’s Italian headquarters, Fr. Davide Pagliarani.
The third point stands out in particular, as it seems to portray the growing number of wars in the world, as divine will’s response to the meeting in Assisi.