I know of one independent parish that is actively negotiating with the local ordinary and is not schismatic. I will be glad to FReepmail you the information, but I'm not going to post it on a public forum.Please freepermail me. I am curious though, if the priest is still not regularized, why is he not schismatic? I think I would agree that one could suggest he no longer has the schismatic mentality, depending on what he was asking for in the negotiations, but it seems to me that the issue is at least vague.
Now who's "twisting words"? I asked "What if the Pope himself recognizes the achevement and effort of this [Catholic] priest?" Does the Pope recognize the achievement and effort as a Catholic priest of those who are not in communion with him? I doubt it.You didn’t say as a Catholic priest, so I didn’t understand that, sorry. What did the Pope say?
No. If I know that the person is taking steps then there is evidence that he may or may not be planning to stay schismatic. If there is no evidence to the contrary though, it is my normal course to assume one who acts outside of the Church’s communion is in fact outside it. I also don’t know what Orthodox priests, Lutheran ministers, etc. are working towards entering the Church, but I regard them as schismatic (as they regard me) because all the evidence points in that direction.If the pastor is working on regularizing the situation my normal course would be to withhold comment on him.Since you don't know how many pastors of independent parishes may be working toward regularizing their situation, it is at least slightly inconsistent for you to choose to not follow your normal course.
patent +AMDG
From leprechaun9's reply #15 (I confirmed with him that he and I are referring to the same priest):
This priest was recognized by the POPE in a special papal citation for his dedicated service and devotion to his priestly vocation three years ago.
nb: leprechaun9, I flagged you because I quoted you, not to drag you into this discussion.