So Pope Benedict has lifted the excommunications on the four SSPX bishops, and is also (it is rumoured) proposing to admit the Traditional Anglican Communion (TAC) into communion with Rome under a personal prelature.
Over on Damian Thompson’s blog, the hardline rad-trads are hoping for the full reintegration of the SSPX and for a full return to Tradition with a capital “T” (i.e. to 1950s Catholicism in its most “integralist” form). On the same blog, the one or two liberal Catholics seem to agree that that is the Pope’s long-term plan, and are horrified by it.
But if the Pope’s long-term plan is a return to an SSPX vision of Catholicism, why integrate the TAC? Certainly his understanding of “Tradition” seems much more pluriform than that of the SSPX and the rad-trads.
One of the few bloggers who has truly understood what is going on here, I think, is Fr Ray Blake at St Mary Magdalen, who writes that the Pope's real goal (bold italics mine) is “the Reconciliation of East and West” and that “the bringing into communion of the SSPX and other traditional groups, as well as the Anglican group TAC, is both a model for the East and an ‘experiment’ in plurality for the West”.
Absolutely. My guess is that, in addressing the SSPX and the TAC, is Benedict also has more than half an eye on addressing Patriarch Bartholomew and Patriarch Kirill.
In effect, he’s saying to them “look, we respect your tradition and your autonomy, and we’re open to exploring structures which will enable you to preserve your tradition and autonomy in a way that is nevertheless fully in keeping with Catholic doctrine and ecclesiology”.
Recent announcements reflect Pope Benedict’s genuine pastoral concern for Lefebvrists and traditionally-minded Anglicans, but my hunch is that all the time he’s looking at the bigger picture, which is the healing of the schism of 1054.
5 comments:
I don't think so. My gut feeling is that the great 1960s ecumenism operation is now being shut down. This move with the TAC, as with the SSPX, is really a sign that the Vatican is cutting and running. The Vatican II dream of unifying the different Christian religions (and then the different religions of the world) around a single liberal, American-inspired consensus, is now in its final death agonies. Those that can still get on board the barqe of Peter will grab hold of the hands of friendship proferred. The majority though will be left behind simply because they never had any real interest in going anywhere. For me, this is Vatican II's Saigon moment.
I half agree with you (and with your post on your own blog). Yes, I think the great 1960s ecumenism operation maybe is now gradually being shut down on its western (Protestant) front, but I also think Pope Benedict wants to keep the eastern (Orthodox) front very much open. I think he regards Protestantism and Orthodoxy as completely different entities. And I guess he regards the TAC as closer to Catholicism/Orthodoxy than to Protestantism.
I like "the wider picture" as it keeps the focus away from the SSPX. As much as I am glad that the excommunications are lifted, I have been disappointed with the declarations of SSPX bishops.
I think, the prelature for the TAC would be wonderful, especially considering the recent crisis among the Anglicans. Looking forward to it >:o)
I think you are right that Benedict has his eyes on healing the split with the Orthodox - that would be historic and bring great blessings to the Church. The path with Protestant communities seems to have reached a dead end. But the news and speculation around the SSPX and the TAC raises questions:
Can one have valid bishops (SSPX) without (geographical) jurisdiction?
Can the Church simply recognise the TAC without at least conditional ordinations? The Orthodox would not react well to married bishops!
So perhaps sees will have to be found for the SSPX bishops and the Society itself should become a regular congregation or even personal prelature of the Pope. Perhaps with the TAC their clergy could be ordained as priests and the whole movement be a prelature as well or better still find integration with the wider Roman Church. I don't envy those who will have to negotiate those agreements.
It must be true.
It's on the internet.
Pass it on.
http://www.liturgy.co.nz/blog/anglican-personal-prelature/467
Post a Comment