The community pictured last week on the day of their canonical erection
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A traditionalist religious order that used to be part of the breakaway Society of St Pius X has received formal recognition as a diocesan institute within the Catholic Church, reports the Catholic News Agency.
“On this festive solemnity of the Assumption of the Holy Mother of God body and soul into Heaven our spiritual joy and fraternal rejoicing is great indeed,” read the statement issued on August 15 by the Congregation of the Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer.
The religious community is based on the tiny island of Papa Stronsay in the Orkney Isles off the north coast of Scotland.
“Our community,” it announced, “has been granted canonical recognition as a Clerical Institute of Diocesan Right by His Lordship the Right Reverend Dom Hugh Gilbert, OSB, Bishop of Aberdeen.”
The move brings to a completion a process of reconciliation that began in 2008 when the community joined the Catholic Church following Pope Benedict XVI’s issuing of “Summorum Pontificum.” The papal decree allowed traditional Latin rites to be more widely used within the Church.
“I am pleased that the process of canonical recognition has been completed and I hope that The Congregation of the Sons of the Most Holy Redeemer will be able to contribute fully to the life of the Church,” Bishop Gilbert said.
Since becoming bishop in August 2011, Bishop Gilbert has undertaken two official visits to Papa Stronsay to help formalize the order’s position within the Church. On August 22 he returned to conclude matters by celebrating the community’s public profession of vows.
FULL STORY Former SSPX community granted formal status in Church (CNA)
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www.catholicherald.co.uk/news/2012/08/15/traditionalist-group-granted-formal-status-within-the-church-after-a-four-year-wait/