Hinting at a willingness to continue discussions with the Vatican and recognising the full authority of the pope over the church, the traditionalist Society of St Pius X said it must defend church teaching from error, reports the Catholic News Service.
"As for all the novelties of the Second Vatican Council, which remain tainted with errors, and for the reforms derived from it," the statement said, "the society can only continue to uphold the affirmations and teachings of the constant magisterium of the church."
The statement from the society's general chapter meeting, which ended on July 14, was posted in French, Italian, English, German and Spanish on the society's website yesterday.
Chapter participants "determined and approved the necessary conditions" for an eventual, full reconciliation with the Vatican, it said. If the conditions are met, "an extraordinary chapter with deliberative vote will be convened."
The website said the statement had been sent to the Vatican prior to publication.
Jesuit Father Federico Lombardi, Vatican spokesman, said the Vatican does not consider the statement to be "a formal response" by the SSPX to the last document it asked Bishop Bernard Fellay, the society's superior general, to sign.
Because "we do not consider it - and it is not - a formal response," Father Lombardi said, the Vatican would not comment on the statement's content.
"The Holy See has taken note of this declaration, but awaits the forthcoming official communication" of the society as its "dialogue with the Pontifical Commission 'Ecclesia Dei' continues," he said.
FULL STORY SSPX recognises Papal authority, hints discussions will continue (CNS)