"Cordial, Respectful, Constructive": The "Peace Talks" Begin

Following today's first session of the much-awaited "doctrinal dialogue" between the Holy See and the Society of St Pius X, the Holy See Press Office released the following statement, here below in an official translation:

On Monday 26 October 2009 in the Palazzo del Sant'Uffizio, headquarters of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and of the Pontifical Commission "Ecclesia Dei", the study commission made up of experts from "Ecclesia Dei" and from the Society of St. Pius X held its first meeting, with the aim of examining the doctrinal differences still outstanding between the Society and the Apostolic See.

In a cordial, respectful and constructive climate, the main doctrinal questions were identified. These will be studied in the course of discussions to be held over coming months, probably twice a month. In particular, the questions due to be examined concern the concept of Tradition, the Missal of Paul VI, the interpretation of Vatican Council II in continuity with Catholic doctrinal Tradition, the themes of the unity of the Church and the Catholic principles of ecumenism, the relationship between Christianity and non-Christian religions, and religious freedom. The meeting also served to specify the method and organisation of the work.

In comments picked up by the AP over the weekend, the head of the SSPX delegation Bishop Alfonso de Gallarreta said in recent days that "in the best case... we have several years of discussions ahead of us."

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