Introduction

The question of whether the Society of St. Pius X (SSPX) is in communion with the Holy See of Rome is a complex and multifaceted issue. This article aims to clarify the relationship between the SSPX and the Roman Catholic Church, examining the historical context, theological differences, and the current status of their communion.

Understanding Communion

The term 'in communion' refers to the spiritual and ecclesiastical unity of the faithful with the Holy See. The SSPX's relationship with Rome hinges on several key factors, including the acceptance of Vatican II and the structure of the Church.

The Role of Vatican II

Vatican II marked a significant turning point in the Church's history. The SSPX, however, views this council as the root cause of the current confusion within the Church. They refuse to accept its teachings, believing it introduced changes that deviated from traditional Catholic practices and doctrines.

Historical Context

Since its establishment, the SSPX has sought canonical recognition from the Holy See. They have consistently sent delegates to Rome to discuss the issue of regularisation, indicating their willingness to be part of the Church hierarchy. However, this desire is contingent upon maintaining their stance against some of the teachings of Vatican II.

The Key Conditions

The holy See's requirement for canonical regularisation is full and complete acceptance of Vatican II. This is a non-negotiable condition for the SSPX, leading to a schism that has persisted for decades. The SSPX hierarchy believes that submitting to this requirement would amount to direct disobedience.

Communion and Ecclesial Communities

Communion, in the broader sense, is a category that includes all baptized Christians and their churches or ecclesial communities to varying degrees. The SSPX falls into this category but with limitations. They maintain a 'real but imperfect communion' with the Church.

Ecumenical Considerations

There are interesting ecumenical examples within the Church that illustrate the complexities of communion. For instance, Pope Benedict lifted the personal excommunication on the four SSPX bishops put in place by John Paul II, paving the way for ecumenical dialogue. However, the SSPX eventually pulled out of the dialogue, realizing they would have to accept the Church’s teaching as articulated in Vatican II to be readmitted.

Recent Developments

Pope Francis has made significant ecumenical gestures, including praising Luther and encouraging people to determine for themselves if they meet the Church’s requirements for intercommunion. He has also proposed a common date of Easter with the Coptic pope and recognized the validity and legality of SSPX priests' confessions, placing them almost in the same range as the Orthodox, Old Catholics, and others.

Requirements for Full Communion

For the SSPX to achieve full communion with the Catholic Church, they must:

Submit to the teaching of the Church in Vatican II and the popes since, particularly in rejecting anti-Semitism and modernist ecclesiology, accepting religious liberty, ecumenism, interreligious dialogue, and synodality. Stop supporting individuals who call the pope a heretic, whether John Paul II or Francis. Accept the reform of the liturgy, at least in principle if not in every particular.

Conclusion

The relationship between the SSPX and Rome is a delicate balance of historical, theological, and ecclesial considerations. While full communion remains elusive due to the SSPX's refusal to accept all of Vatican II's teachings, there are ongoing efforts towards ecumenical dialogue and mutual understanding. The key to achieving full communion lies in the SSPX's willingness to re-evaluate and accept certain teachings that have been central to the modern Catholic Church.