It may give us some insights into the position of the FSSPX and what they are going to bring to the table in discussions with Rome.
PARIS, 10 February 2009 (AFP) - Bishop Fellay of the Society of Saint Pius X, speaks his reservations about Vatican II
Bishop Bernard Fellay, superior of the Fraternity of Saint Pius X, does not reject the whole of the Second Vatican Council but shares some of his reservations in an interview with the weekly Famille chrétienne and La France catholique.
He distinguishes between "the spirit and letter" of the Council: "There is a dangerous spirit which moved across the Council and in this sense we do refuse it," he says, "but when speaking of the letter [of the Council], we do not reject it in full as it is" he adds.
He recalled the position of Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, founder of the Fraternity, for whom only those things which are in line with tradition in the council should be kept and the rest should be rejected.
Bishop Fellay adds that "the Church can not get rid of her past".
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He also explains his position on ecumenism where he sees a risk of "connivance with the world" and regrets that the Church no longer has "the will to convert."
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Asked about the spiritual and/or doctrinal challenge of rapprochement with Rome, Bishop Fellay sees "a benefit for the whole Church" if "one manages to restore clarity on many issues."
Finally he feels that the discussions between Rome and the Fraternity Saint Pius X will "certainly start quickly" but he does not know in what form.
This interview will be available in full on Wednesday and excerpts will be published by Famille Chrétienne et La France catholique.
