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Question
Dear Father Angelo,
I would like to know if the Mass celebrated by a priest of the St. Pius X fraternity is valid, for example, to comply with the festive precept; I specify that I’m not part of that community. Thank you for Your availability, and for such a precious service You offer to us.
Gian Luigi
Answer
Dear son,
1. The Code of Canon Law says: “Anyone who attends Mass, wherever it is celebrated in the Catholic rite, or on the same feast day, or on the vespers of the previous day, satisfies the precept of attending Mass” (Can. 1248 § 1). Therefore, it can be said that ,since the priests of the fraternity of St. Pius X (Lefebvrians) celebrate Mass according to the Catholic rite, whoever participates in such celebrations fulfills the precept
2. Among other things, it should not be forgotten that Pope Francis also authorized confessions made to a Lefebvrian priest. “In the Year of the Jubilee I had granted the faithful who for various reasons attend the churches officiated by the priests of the Fraternity of St. Pius X to receive validly and lawfully the sacramental absolution of their sins. For the pastoral good of these faithful, and trusting in the good will of their priests so that full communion in the Catholic Church can be recovered with God’s help, I establish by my own decision to extend this faculty beyond the jubilee period, up to new provisions in this regard, so that no one may ever lack the sacramental sign of reconciliation through the forgiveness of the Church” (Misericordia et misera, November 20th 2016).
3. It must be kept in mind that Pope Benedict XVI had already lifted the excommunication of the priests of this fraternity. The intent of the Catholic Church is that the fraternity of St. Pius X lives in full communion with the Pope and the Catholic Church. To achieve this goal, it builds continual bridges.
4. However, all the other points of disagreement with the Magisterium and the discipline of the Catholic Church remain open. So, if you currently participate in such Masses with a spirit of challenge and discord – although from a legalistic point of view it can be said that the precept has been fulfilled – much remains to be said about charity and the communion that derives from it. This could also be verified: under the aspect of the precept no sin is committed, but it is committed if there is hatred towards the Pope and the Roman Church.
I wish you well, I remind you to the Lord and I bless you.
Father Angelo
