Faith Section Society (FSSP) and Its Relationship with the Catholic Church

Understanding the relationship between the Faith Section Society (FSSP) and the Catholic Church, particularly with its sister society the Society of St. Pius X (SSPX), can be complex and nuanced. This article explores the key elements of FSSP's existence, its position within the Church, and the criteria for achieving full communion with Rome.

Establishment and Background

The Priestly Fraternity of Saint Peter (FSSP) was officially established by Pope St. John Paul II in 1988 for the traditional Latin liturgy. This religious order is distinct from the SSPX, which is not in full communion with the Catholic Church.

The FSSP operates based on a specific apostolate: preserving and promoting the 'extraordinary form' of the Roman Rite, also known as the Mass of Pius V/Council of Trent, which was the norm from 1570 to 1970. The FSSP adheres to this liturgical tradition and seeks to uphold it.

In Communion with Rome?

The question of whether FSSP is in communion with Rome is multifaceted. While FSSP is closely associated with the Vatican and operates under diocesan bishops, it has a unique structure that differs from other canonical entities within the Church.

Full communion with the Church requires adherence to Vatican II and acceptance of its teachings, a condition that FSSP has not fully embraced. They view Vatican II as a pivotal point that led to current ecclesiastical confusion. The SSPX, in contrast, refuses to accept these reforms and maintains they were a mistake.

SSPX and the Challenge of Communion

The Society of St. Pius X (SSPX) is not in full communion with the Catholic Church. This society operates with its own hierarchy and does not recognize the authority of the Bishop of Rome. They have maintained this stance despite Vatican II, which is central to the structure of the modern Catholic Church.

The SSPX has called for dialogue and has sent delegates to Rome, expressing their desire for canonical regularisation. However, the key issue remains their unwillingness to accept the fundamental principles of Vatican II. In their vision, communion with Rome would require acceptance of Vatican II teachings, which they reject.

Ecumenical Dialogue and Communion

Pope Benedict XVI took a significant step in opening the path for dialogue with the SSPX by lifting the personal excommunication on four SSPX bishops in 2009. This action, like the mutual excommunication of 1054 between Rome and Constantinople, did not restore full communion but initiated a process of engagement.

Pope Francis has taken further steps towards ecumenism by recognizing the validity and legality of SSPX priests' confessions, although this applies to communion in a limited way. These gestures aim to bridge the gap between the differing viewpoints of the SSPX and the Catholic Church.

Requirements for Full Communion

To achieve full communion, the SSPX would need to accept the teaching of the Church in Vatican II and subsequent papal documents. This requires a significant shift in their doctrinal position, particularly in areas such as anti-Semitism, modernist ecclesiology, religious liberty, ecumenism, and synodality.

Parallels can be drawn between the SSPX's situation and other Christian denominations like the Orthodox, Anglicans, and Lutherans, all of which have distinct traditions but acknowledge theological differences. For the SSPX to fully integrate, they must adapt their understanding and practices to align with the broader Catholic tradition.

In conclusion, while FSSP operates within the canonical structure of the Church, the SSPX remains outside full communion due to their rejection of Vatican II. The path to achieving full communion involves significant theological and practical adjustments.