Vatican warns against Society of St. Pius X ordinations

Earlier this year, to encourage their return to full communion with the Church, Pope Benedict XVI lifted the excommunication of 4 SSPX Bishops.  Then the Pope was attacked in the media because of holocaust denying statements made by one of those Bishops, Bishop Williamson.  Now, the SSPX intends to ordain 23 priests illegitimately.  Perhaps their response to this Vatican statement will show how serious they are about communion with the Church.  Pope Benedict has done his part; let's see if they do theirs.

News that the Society of St. Pius X (SSPX) intends to ordain 23 priests in late June caused the Vatican to issue a statement on Wednesday saying that the ordinations will not be legitimate.

The statement from the Vatican made reference to the Holy Father’s “Letter to the Bishops of the Catholic Church” from last March. The letter states, “As long as the Society (of St. Pius X) does not have a canonical status in the Church, its ministers do not exercise legitimate ministries in the Church.”

The status of the SSPX within the Catholic Church remains in question because it has previously rejected certain portions of some key Vatican II documents.

“Until the doctrinal questions are clarified,” the Holy See's press office said, the Society has no canonical status in the Church, and its ministers ... do not legitimately exercise any ministry in the Church.” Therefore, ordinations by the Society are not valid within the Catholic Church.

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