Cardinal Müller proposes a new Ecclesia Dei in response to SSPX consecrations

Schism stirs the Consistory: "We must respond to the Lefebvrians"

IlGiornale can reveal the content of a cardinal's address calling for a rebuttal to the Society of Saint Pius X following their accusations of deviation from tradition. The issue of welcoming back those returning to Rome after the illicit consecrations will also be addressed.

Leo XIV had asked the Cardinals for frankness. And some took him at his word. Indeed, as we can reveal, while the agenda made no mention of the looming Lefebvrian schism, a cardinal—on the very first day of proceedings—pointed out the "elephant in the room": the Society of Saint Pius X’s open challenge to Rome.

The address

On the eve of the Consistory, the Fraternity founded by Archbishop Marcel Lefebvre threw down another gauntlet to the Pope and the cardinals by sending them a profession of faith that effectively accuses Rome of deviating from tradition and the perennial Magisterium. Cardinal Gerhard Ludwig Müller—former Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith—urged that this "j’accuse" be rejected outright. Hence the proposal to draft a response to the Lefebvrians, asserting that Rome has never abandoned the path of tradition—contrary to their claims. This stance is all the more significant considering that the German cardinal once headed the very dicastery that will be tasked with dealing with this rift. 

A New Ecclesia Dei

Furthermore, the address addressed the consequences of one of the scenarios we had anticipated in recent days: the declaration of schism following the consecrations of new Society of St. Pius X bishops without a papal mandate will lead various Lefebvrians to seek a return to Rome. The cardinal therefore emphasized the need to prepare to welcome them, proposing a structure modeled on the Pontifical Commission "Ecclesia Dei"—established in 1988 by John Paul II to welcome those wishing to return to full communion with Rome following the illicit consecrations performed by Archbishop Lefebvre.

The illicit consecrations

On July 1st, the Fraternity will proceed to illicitly ordain four new bishops at Écône—the Swiss town housing their first seminary—just as their founder did 38 years ago. At the root of the conflict lies, above all, the rejection of the teachings of the Second Vatican Council and, secondarily, of the liturgical reform. Despite the Holy See’s openness to dialogue, the Fraternity has decided to press ahead on this path, causing dissatisfaction even among some of its own members who would prefer not to go any further.

Welcoming those who leave the Fraternity is a matter of great concern, and the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith is already addressing it. Among the Lefebvrians, there is anxiety regarding the prospect of excommunication; unlike the situation 38 years ago, this might not be limited solely to the bishops being consecrated and the one performing the consecration. If it were to apply only to them, for instance, Davide Pagliarani—Superior General of the Society of Saint Pius X and the leading proponent of the hardline stance—would be exempt. In any case, while there is currently no certainty regarding the reaction from the former Holy Office, it is anticipated that a number of priests, religious, and nuns will leave the schismatic group and seek to return to full communion with Rome.

Liturgy

Today, thanks to the work previously carried out by the Pontifical Commission "Ecclesia Dei," there are institutes within the Church—in full communion with Rome—that celebrate the ancient liturgy while accepting the Second Vatican Council. The "Ecclesia Dei" commission was suppressed by Pope Francis in 2019. Restrictions on these celebrations were subsequently introduced in 2021 with *Traditionis Custodes*, yet today a stance of greater tolerance appears to be prevailing within the College of Cardinals. This is partly because—as Vatican correspondent Diane Montagna revealed about a year ago—the majority of bishops consulted prior to the measure's introduction had expressed opposition to the bans.

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