Saint Joseph Catholic Church

“It is a troubled history, marked by generous attempts, doors kept open, and opportunities offered,” Tornielli began. “It is a painful story, characterized by two grave ruptures that led the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X, founded by Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre, to separate itself from the Pope and from communion with the Church of Rome by committing the schismatic act of consecrating bishops without the pontifical mandate and against the will of the Vicar of Christ.”

The overview has six sections:

• Lefebvre’s decisions
• The doctrinal agreement signed by Lefebvre
• The first schismatic act
• The pilgrimage of 2000 and Pope Benedict’s concessions
• The 2011 doctrinal preamble and Pope Francis’ faculties
• New schism, invalid confessions and marriages

“People who pride themselves on their orthodoxy should know that schism is a grave sin against the Church and against charity,” said Archbishop Anthony Fisher, O.P., who recently wrote a pastoral letter on Eucharistic adoration. The prelate asked the faithful to “pray for the unity of the Church at this time and for the repentance of these schismatics.”

Bishop George Pallipparambil of Miao described the act as a “two-way educational effort.”

“It teaches children to love, respect, and serve their parents, recognizing that their lives are built upon their parents’ sacrifices and hard work,” he said. “At the same time, it reminds parents that their children love them, are willing to listen to them, and possess unique gifts that deserve to be recognized and nurtured.”

The Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith published procedures for the return of priests and lay faithful of the Society of Saint Pius X (SSPX) into full communion with the Church.