Dueling Fellays

We can only wonder what is going on in the brain of the Superior-General of the Society of St. Pius X.

Five days ago, in his homily at Flavigny, Bernard Fellay said of rumours that the schismatic splinter-group he heads would reconcile with the Catholic church that

Certainly, the devil, as is his normal manner of acting, is spreading rumors, mistrust, speaking of a "secret accord" or that the Society would become an Apostolic Administration, something that is supposedly to be signed around Easter time. This is completely false, nothing but empty air.

But on 13 January, in a transcript of a press briefing released by DICI -- the SSPX's own news agency -- Fellay said on the same question that (emphases unique)

I think Rome will grant [a special status] to us, so in this respect there is no need to claim for it. We find ourselves rather in the reverse situation, that is to say, we keep telling Rome: but we want to be normal Catholics, we have no desire for a marginalized status, if you will forgive me the comparison, in the zoo, we do not feel at all like playing the part of the dinosaur to whom a special status is granted. Because in the discussions we have been having with Rome for some time already, we are always told: very well, your special charisma will be respected.... We are talking about an Apostolic administration....

Journalist: So this Apostolic administration could be granted to you, but outside of the bishops, guardians of the unity of Catholics in the diocesan territory.

Bishop Fellay: I think there would be an exemption.

Journalist: You are sure?

Bishop Fellay: I said: "I think" and yes, I am pretty sure.

Journalist: After the manner of what was done in Campos for instance, or maybe in a broader way?

Bishop Fellay: That’s it, it is along the lines of Campos. That is to say that per force, at some point, there still are some relations, it is not a completely independent status. The status of the faithful, in such a case, is called a status of mixed jurisdiction, that is to say, Rome does not withdraw those faithful from the authority of the bishops, but it allows them to benefit from the parallel authority found in an administration.

So if, according to Fellay, "the devil... is spreading rumours... that the Society would become an Apostolic Administration," and Fellay himself is openly "talking about an Apostolic administration," does that mean, ergo, that Fellay is the devil?

Don't scream at me -- he said it.

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