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Given by the
Prefect of the Congregation for Bishops,
under the authority of His Holiness, Pope Benedict XVI
21 January 2009
In a letter of 15 December 2008 addressed to Cardinal Dario Castrillon
Hoyos, president of the Pontifical Commission 'Ecclesia Dei', Bishop
Bernard Fellay once again requested - also in the name of the other
three bishops consecrated on 30 June 1988 - the removal of the
excommunication 'latae sententiae' formally pronounced by a decree of
the prefect of this Congregation for Bishops on 1 July 1988. In that
letter Bishop Fellay affirmed, among other things, that "we continue
firmly resolute in our desire to remain Catholics and to put all our
strength at the service of the Church of Our Lord Jesus Christ, which
is the Roman Catholic Church. We accept her teachings in a filial
spirit. We firmly believe in the Primacy of Peter and in its
prerogatives, and for this reason the current situation causes us much
suffering".
His Holiness Benedict XVI - in his paternal compassion for the
spiritual discomfort expressed by the parties concerned, because of the
excommunication, and trusting in the commitment they expressed in the
aforesaid letter to spare no efforts in examining outstanding questions
through the requisite discussions with the authorities of the Holy See
in order to reach a prompt, full and satisfactory solution to the
original problem - has decided to reconsider the canonical position of
Bishops Bernard Fellay, Bernard Tissier de Mallerais, Richard
Williamson and Alfonso de Galarreta, which arose following their
episcopal consecration.
With this act it is hoped to consolidate reciprocal relations of trust,
and to intensify and stabilise the relations of the Fraternity of St.
Pius X with this Holy See. This gift of peace, coming at the end of the
Christmas celebrations, also wishes to be a sign to promote the
Universal Church's unity in charity, and to remove the scandal of
division.
It is hoped that this step will be followed by the prompt attainment of
full communion with the Church by the entire Fraternity of St. Pius X,
thus demonstrating true faithfulness and true recognition of the
Magisterium and authority of Pope with the sign of visible unity.
On the basis of the powers expressly granted to me by the Holy Father
Benedict XVI, and by virtue of this decree, I remit the sentence of
excommunication 'latae sententiae" declared by this congregation on 1
July 1988 against Bishops Bernard Fellay, Bernard Tissier de Mallerais,
Richard Williamson and Alfonso de Galarreta. At the same time I declare
that, as of today's date, the decree then issued is devoid of juridical
effect.
Prefect of the Congregation for Bishops
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