[narses]

You have valid points. The problem, to mix metaphors, is that one cannot be "a little bit" pregnant. Regularizing the SSPX is different than the SSJV in Campos. They are, and always have been, a diocesan order. The SSPX is essentially a missionary order with worldwide scope. Once they are regularized, the opening for the Tridentine, no matter how regulated, will create a firestorm amongst the liberals. It works against inculturation, against ecumenicalism, against novelties and liturgical "innovations" and the conservatives in the Church will use it.

[sitetest]

Dear narses,

"Once they are regularized, the opening for the Tridentine, no matter how regulated, will create a firestorm amongst the liberals."

It doesn't matter. The liberals are not superhuman. They can't do what cannot be done. Should our Holy Father dramatically liberalize the rules governing the Tridentine Rite, the liberals cannot use that at this time to go into open schism. If they do, they will be walking out onto the tenderest parts of the limb, and using a band saw to cut it off. Should they go into open schism at this time, mark my words, they will vanish without a trace, and only academics will remember them 50 years hence.

I would still appreciate comments about the latter part of my post, discussing the difficulties inherent in liberalization of the use of the old Mass. Do you see that there is an inherent tension between granting to each individual priest the right to celebrate the old Mass, and the need for discipline and order at the parish and diocesan level? How does one resolve that tension? How open is SSPX to a resolution that might stop short of an absolute right of an individual priest to celebrate the old Mass? Not rhetorical questions. They are really fuzzy in my own mind.

sitetest