Vatican restates: Pius X ordinations 'remain illegitimate'

Source: VIS

The Vatican has issued a statement reaffirming that clergy ordained by the breakaway Fraternity of Pius X can not be recognised by the Catholic Church.

"The statement said: "In response to the frequent questions that have been raised over recent days concerning the priestly ordinations by the Fraternity of St Pius X, scheduled to take place at the end of June, suffice it to refer to what the Holy Father wrote in his Letter to the Bishops of the Catholic Church on 10 March this year: "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. ... Until the doctrinal questions are clarified, the Society has no canonical status in the Church, and its ministers ... do not legitimately exercise any ministry in the Church".

"In the same Letter, the Pope also announced his intention to change the status of the Commission 'Ecclesia Dei', making it part of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith. There is reason to believe that the definition of this new status is imminent. This constitutes a premise for launching dialogue with the leaders of the Fraternity of St Pius X, with a view to clarifying the doctrinal questions, and consequently the disciplinary questions, which remain unresolved".

Source: VIS