Despite SSPX excommunication: Fraternity of St. Peter does not expect influx

Unlike the Priestly Fraternity of St. Pius X, the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter is part of the Church. Here is how it views the schism.

Following the break between the traditionalist Priestly Fraternity of St. Pius X (FSSPX) and the Pope, the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter (FSSP) does not anticipate a significant influx of new members. "One would naturally hope that some will not follow the path into schism," Father Sven Leo Conrad, President of the FSSP’s Academic Council, told katholisch.de. "But I fear the social 'bubble' is already too entrenched."

SSPX and FSSP 

The members of the Pius Fraternity reject key church reforms from the Second Vatican Council (1962–1965). They oppose the recognition of religious freedom and ecumenical dialogue with other churches. Furthermore, they insist on the 1962 liturgy.

Last week, the SSPX carried out episcopal ordinations—actions expressly forbidden by the Vatican. This resulted in the exclusion of those involved from the Church community. A statement from the Vatican’s doctrinal office on July 2, along with several other Vatican declarations, extended the excommunication to include the SSPX's nearly 800 priests.

The FSSP was canonically established in 1988 by Pope John Paul II (1978–2005). Its aim is to provide a home for traditionalist Catholics and integrate them into the Church.

Keeping channels of dialogue open

"Unfortunately, even after 40 years, some within the Church still view us as identical to the Society of St. Pius X in terms of theology and ecclesiastical politics," Conrad lamented. Yet, the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter has repeatedly emphasized its acceptance of the Second Vatican Council "in the light of the Church's entire tradition."

This includes the Church of today and the Magisterium of today, said the Oresident of the Fraternity’s academic council. Traditionalism, on the other hand, has become an ideology. "At the beginning, there was an important conviction: the Magisterium of today does not stand in contradiction to the entire tradition. The ideology, however, separates tradition from the current Magisterium and condemns it," the clergyman explained. In this respect, he is "anything but happy" about the Fraternity being labeled as traditionalist.

When asked whether he saw possibilities for reconciliation between the SSPX and the Vatican, Conrad replied: "One should absolutely always try to reopen channels of dialogue and keep them open. After all, the whole situation is deeply tragic."

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