Bishop Fellay: press conference in Rome, radio broadcast in Paris
In Rome Bishop Fellay was keen to specify that the document on ecumenism, addressed to all the cardinals in January, did not constitute a declaration of war, nor did it express a wish to break away, but that it is a question of an appeal, and even a cry of alarm, justified by the gravity of the situation in the Church.
He pointed out that what provoked this approach to the cardinals, was the conference by Cardinal Kasper on May 24 2003, which raised very grave problems. (see DICI n° 85)
The Superior of the Society St. Pius X said how much he was in agreement with the analysis that John Paul II gives, on the state of Europe today, speaking very justly, in Ecclesia in Europa, of a silent apostasy(see DICI n° 79). However, he deplored the incapacity of the Roman authorities to see in ecumenism the cause of this apostasy, and from this fact, their impotence to propose any real solutions to the present crisis.
He then went on to explain the meaning of the study From Ecumenism to Silent Apostasy, establishing a connection of cause and effect between ecumenism and apostasy. To those who would reject this analysis, and who consider that the present state of Catholicism is explained uniquely by the situation in the contemporary world, the Bishop proposed the image of a fox devastating a chicken coop. No doubt if the chickens are devoured, it is the foxs fault; but it is also the fault of the person who left the door open, allowing the fox to commit his crime. In the same way, the Church is ravaged by the spirit of the world, because this spirit has penetrated it, but equally, the men of the Church wanted to throw open the doors at Vatican II, leaving the faithful unprotected.
Bishop Fellay vigorously denounced the ecumenism of Cardinal Kasper, which no longer consists in favoring the return of separated brethren to the one fold, as Pius XI taught in Mortalium animos. He gave the example of the schismatic bishop, who wanted to return to the unique Church, One, Holy, Catholic, Apostolic and Roman, and who was dissuaded by Cardinal Kasper himself in the name of ecumenism, showing that it was no longer necessary to convert since Vatican II.
This ecumenism has for its prime objective the favoring of unity, and not the salvation of lost souls, - a unity in accepted diversity in Kasperspeak. It is therefore necessary to destroy all the conflicting points which damage this unity, in the liturgy as well as in doctrine.
Such a wish can only end in a general confusion, as Cardinal Kaspers expressions illustrate eloquently: unity in pluriformity, differentiated consensus, to go beyond the contradictions in order to make of them complementary assertions There is nothing like this for maintaining relativism of faith, source of sure and certain apostasy.
Bringing his exposé to a close, the Superior General called for strong measures against this false ecumenism. He then answered questions put to him by the 45 Vatican journalists and personalities present, amongst whom were Fr. Adriano Garuti, O.F.M., departmental head at the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, Frs. Antonio Miralles and Nicola Bux, both consultants at the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, which is headed by Cardinal Ratzinger.
Through his responses, the Bishop insisted on the fact that the Society of St. Pus X was Catholic, that the bishops consecrated in 1988 by Mgr. Lefebvre did not constitute a parallel hierarchy, and that they considered themselves only as auxiliary bishops. He recalled that these consecrations were not to be explained through a situation of personal necessity, but rather through the grave situation of necessity, in which the Church finds herself in consequence of todays ecumenism.
When asked if he did not renounce the proposed agreement presented by Cardinal Castrillon Hoyos, Bishop Fellay replied that he wanted the bridge that he was proposing, but the roadway of the bridge must stand firmly on doctrinal pillars.
One of the journalists let it be known his astonishment at discovering through the press dossier which included the Letter to Friends and Benefactors (see DICI n° 89), the plan for an inter-religious sanctuary at Fatima. (see DICI n° 83)
To the question: What qualities should the next pope have, in your opinion?, the Swiss prelate replied wisdom and fortitude, an heroic faith and great mercy.
At the conclusion of the press conference, several journalists did not hesitate to admit privately how much they had been impressed by the calm resolution of the Superior of the Society of St. Pius X, who spoke with authority and, at the same time, with simplicity.
In Paris, Bishop Fellay responded to the objection put to him by the Vatican journalists, inspired by the specialists on ecumenism at the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith: In your document, you denounce Cardinal Kaspers proposal in a simple conference, you do not quote the texts of the Roman Magisterium: Fides et ratio, Dominus Jesus, Ut unum sint. For this last document, which deals explicitly with ecumenism, the Bishop recalled that it had been quoted no less than 22 times.
For Fides et ratio, which condemns the relative conception of the truth, he wondered how the Roman authorities were able to make this condemnation compatible with the ecumenical doctrine and practice, at work in the Church since the Council. Concerning Dominus Jesus, he affirmed that the main part of this encyclical was the object of a critical analysis in From Ecumenism to Silent Apostasy: namely, the question of subsistit in which makes a distinction between the Church of God and the Catholic Church, where Tradition has always seen them, purely and simply as indistinguishable.
Bishop Fellay insisted on making it clear that his criticism of Cardinal Kasper was not directed at his person, but rather at the disastrous principles, which his official function as president of the Pontifical Council for the Promotion of Christian Unity, allowed him to implement in a very concrete way.
The Bishop certainly demonstrated that he did not intend to stop there. Indeed, from this study and the responses he receives from the cardinals, he hopes to be able to engage in a deep and meaningful debate. This is a long-term enterprise, for the ecumenical train boarded by the conciliar Church is never going to be stopped in an instant. But the Society of St. Pius X does not have the right to stand by and allow the Cardinal Kaspers of this world to pursue their insidious work unopposed.
The complete recording of the interview with Bishop Fellay can be obtained by writing to Radio Courtoisie, 61 boulevard Murat, 75016 Paris, France (Tel. +33 (0) 1 46 51 00 85, Fax: +33 (0) 1 46 51 21 82), specifying: Libre journal de Claude Giraud du 5 février 2004, 2ème partie.
