Monday, October 26, 2009

Vatican issues statement concerning SSPX doctrinal talks

The first Vatican-SSPX talk has been completed. According to reports, the meeting "lasted about three hours and dealt primarily with setting an agenda and a schedule for the talks." The Holy See Press Office released the following statement regarding the meeting:

"On Monday 26 October in the Palazzo del Sant'Uffizio, headquarters of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and of the Pontifical Commission 'Ecclesia Dei', the study commission made up of experts from 'Ecclesia Dei' and from the Society of St. Pius X held its first meeting, with the aim of examining the doctrinal differences still outstanding between the Society and the Apostolic See.

"In a cordial, respectful and constructive climate, the main doctrinal questions were identified. These will be studied in the course of discussions to be held over coming months, probably twice a month. In particular, the questions due to be examined concern the concept of Tradition, the Missal of Paul VI, the interpretation of Vatican Council II in continuity with Catholic doctrinal Tradition, the themes of the unity of the Church and the Catholic principles of ecumenism, the relationship between Christianity and non-Christian religions, and religious freedom. The meeting also served to specify the method and organisation of the work".

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