Pope Leo and the SSPX Crossroads
Three possible responses to the July 1 consecrations By: Brian McCall
As the Episcopal Consecrations of July 1 approach, I think Pope Leo is at a crossroads of three possible paths in response. In theory there is a fourth path—grant a papal mandate for the consecrations—but the Vatican’s reaction to the February 2 announcement seems to preclude that path. In this article we will explore the three other paths that Leo may choose.
The first path is de facto acceptance. The pope and the Vatican could simply ignore the event. They might issue hand wringing statements about how sad is such an act of disunity but as a practical matter do nothing. By issuing no juridical sanctions, Leo would simply perpetuate the status quo of legal and factual uncertainty and contradiction. The SSPX would continue to be both recognized and not recognized. The priests would have jurisdiction to hear confessions and receive delegation of the right to witness marriages but they would have no canonical standing in the Church. This legal no man’s land involving a de facto acceptance of the SSPX but a de Jure rejection of their legal legitimacy has become comfortable for most (but not all) churchmen on all sides of the issue. The destination of this path is likely to be a continuation of the current situation. There would be little movement toward or away from the SSPX. Traditionis Custodes would likely remain on the books although a de facto relaxation of some of its rigor may develop or even be encouraged by Leo. Mostly it would be the continuation of the status quo.
