URGENT MATTER - The Pope defends himself; cries against moral lynching of Traditionalists

A letter of Pope Benedict XVI to all Bishops of the world on the removal of the excommunication of the Bishops of the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X (FSSPX / SSPX) and on all aspects involving the subsequent problems related to Bishop Richard Williamson is set to be released tomorrow (Thursday). Several Italian news sources provide some excerpts of the letter this morning, and we will provide a translation as soon as possible.

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Certainly, we have long and have again on this occasion heard many dissonances from representatives of this community - pride and a patronizing know-it-all attitude, fixation into onesidedness etc. For the love of truth I must add that I have also received a series of moving testimonials of gratitude, in which was made perceptible an opening of hearts. But should the great Church not also be able to be magnanimous [in German its a play on words: "great Church - great of heart"] in the knowledge of the long wind she has; in the knowledge of the promise which she has been given? Should we not, like good educators, also be able not to hear some bad things and strive to calmly lead out of the narrowness? And must we not admit that also from ecclesial circles there have come dissonances? Sometimes one has the impression that our society needs at least one group for which there need not be any tolerance; which one can unperturbedly set upon with hatred.

Has he been reading FR's religion forum these last few years?

Unfortunately, you, and many others, have managed to pick out and emphasize the negative in the most powerful, beautiful and poignant section of what the Pope wrote.

A better translation of that section appears below with emphasis on the words of healing:

Certainly, for some time now, and once again on this specific occasion, we have heard from some representatives of that community many unpleasant things – arrogance and presumptuousness, an obsession with one-sided positions, etc. Yet to tell the truth, I must add that I have also received a number of touching testimonials of gratitude which clearly showed an openness of heart. But should not the great Church also allow herself to be generous in the knowledge of her great breadth, in the knowledge of the promise made to her? Should not we, as good educators, also be capable of overlooking various faults and making every effort to open up broader vistas? And should we not admit that some unpleasant things have also emerged in Church circles? At times one gets the impression that our society needs to have at least one group to which no tolerance may be shown; which one can easily attack and hate. And should someone dare to approach them – in this case the Pope – he too loses any right to tolerance; he too can be treated hatefully, without misgiving or restraint.

Instead of seeing the true weight of the merciful heart of what is written (emphasized above) people have pointed at the last sentence of that section, wrestling it entirely out of context and distorting the message.

I do see the true weight of the merciful heart. I have long lamented the fact that these Catholics were all but kicked out of the Church after the Council. I thought it ironic that they were still being denied charity from our bishops and priests after Pope John Paul II indicated that charity should be shown. I was bewildered by the very idea that the people and institution of Holy Mother Church were being not merely uncharitable but, as evidenced by fellow Catholics on this forum, were being blatantly hostile. In the midst of their hostility, they brazenly called it “love”.
I was accused of being a member of the SSPX cult simply because I defended them against vicious and unfair attacks. I believe that this Pope, God Bless him, has vindicated me. I do not disagree with anything in his statement, in fact, I laud it.
BTW, another justification for attacking these lapsed, wounded Catholics was obedience to the Pope. Now that Benedict XVI has spoken on the matter, I am wondering if their pious obedience is still as ardent as it was before.

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