7 April 1982
Your Excellency,
I would like to inform you without delay that I have been able to give a preliminary account of our discussion of 27 March last to the Holy Father. He was kind enough to express his satisfaction with it, and decided that the results obtained on the occasion of this meeting should be examined jointly by a small group of Cardinals of my choice gathered around me. When I have obtained their opinions, I shall be in a position to inform the Sovereign Pontiff in more detail. He will then give instructions as to what is to follow.
So as to have a secure base from which to work, it seems to be to be necessary to set down in writing points taken from the letter of the late Cardinal Seper dated 20 October 1980, which could serve towards a declaration.
Meanwhile, Your Excellency, I ask you to accept, with the assurance of my prayers, my brotherly and devoted best wishes.
Joseph Card. Ratzinger
Your Excellency,
I would like to inform you without delay that I have been able to give a preliminary account of our discussion of 27 March last to the Holy Father. He was kind enough to express his satisfaction with it, and decided that the results obtained on the occasion of this meeting should be examined jointly by a small group of Cardinals of my choice gathered around me. When I have obtained their opinions, I shall be in a position to inform the Sovereign Pontiff in more detail. He will then give instructions as to what is to follow.
So as to have a secure base from which to work, it seems to be to be necessary to set down in writing points taken from the letter of the late Cardinal Seper dated 20 October 1980, which could serve towards a declaration.
- Mgr. Lefebvre declares his support for the teachings of the Second Vatican Council "understood in the light of the whole of holy Tradition and on the basis of the unvarying Magisterium of the Church" (cf. John Paul II, Allocution to the Sacred College, 5 November 1979. A.A.S. LXXI (1979/II) p. 1452). This adherence takes into account the theological qualification given by the Council itself (Note made during the 125th General Congregation, 16 November 1964).
- Mgr. Lefebvre accepts the legitimacy of the liturgical reforms requested by the Second Vatican Council. He recognizes that, when applied in conformity to the Missal and other liturgical books promulgated by the Holy See that they are neither heretical nor invalid, for all that he has considerable reservations about the way in which the reforms have actually been put into practice.
- ) In so far as pastoral ministry and works are concerned, Mgr. Lefebvre agrees to conform to the norms of Canon Law, especially in so far as ordinations, confirmations, pontifical ceremonies, the establishment of Religious Institutions, the training of clergy and apostolic activity in the dioceses are concerned. He will eventually accept the appointment of a Pontifical Delegate charged with studying with him the means of regularizing his own position as well as that of the members of the Society of St. Pius X.
- Finally, Mgr. Lefebvre regrets those of his words and deeds which have displeased the Holy See.
Meanwhile, Your Excellency, I ask you to accept, with the assurance of my prayers, my brotherly and devoted best wishes.
Joseph Card. Ratzinger
