The Superior General of the Priestly Fraternity of Saint Pius X, Davide Pagliarani, has addressed a letter to the faithful in which he thanks them for the support received following the episcopal consecrations celebrated on 1 July in Écône and rejects the sanctions decreed by the Holy See.
In the text, dated 19 July in Menzingen, Pagliarani states that he had hoped until the very last moment for “a gesture of benevolence, or at least of simple understanding” from Rome. However, he maintains that the consecrations were condemned and that the sanctions imposed “are without precedent.”
The Superior of the FSSPX considers that the measures affect not only the bishops involved, but also the members of the Fraternity and the faithful linked to it. He describes the condemnation as “perfectly unjust” and affirms that those who took part in the consecrations sought to “defend the true faith and work for the salvation of souls.”
Gratitude to the faithful present in Écône
Pagliarani devotes a significant part of the letter to thanking the faithful for their presence and prayers during the ceremony.
He recalls that numerous attendees from various countries participated in the consecrations and highlights the attitude of those who remained in place during the storm that broke out during the celebration.
According to his account, among those present were elderly women kneeling, young mothers with children in their arms, and faithful who continued to pray for the new bishops, for the Church, and for the Pope.
The Superior General interprets that scene as a sign of the centrality that the Mass holds in the life of the faithful linked to the Fraternity.
The sanctions and the defence of Tradition
In his letter, Pagliarani maintains that the consecrations were carried out for the benefit of the faithful and with the aim of ensuring the continuity of doctrinal teaching and the administration of the sacraments within the FSSPX.
He also states that the sanctions seek to reach the faithful themselves and links the condemnation received with the Fraternity’s position regarding Tradition.
“It is Tradition itself, which we love above all else, that is excommunicated in all those who incarnate it,” he writes.
Pagliarani adds that, in his view, a condemnation of this kind cannot have validity before God, because it would mean condemning what he considers essential for the life of the Church.
Appeal to keep the faith
The Superior General concludes the letter with an appeal to the faithful to keep the faith “whole and alive” amid the present crisis.
He uses the image of the candle received at baptism to urge them to preserve that faith even in adverse circumstances.
He also entrusts the faithful to the Virgin Mary and asks for prayers for the new bishops so that they may remain faithful to their mission.
“The Fraternity will never abandon you,” Pagliarani affirms at the end of the message.