SCHISMATIC GROUP RE-UNITES WITH VATICAN


VATICAN, Jan 18, 02 (CWNews.com) - The traditionalist
Society of St. Jean Vianney, in Campos, Brazil, has been
restored to full communion with the Holy See.

The Vatican has announced the promulgation of an apostolic
letter by Pope John Paul II welcoming the Lefebvrist group,
and announcing that Bishop Luciano Rangel, the leader of the
traditionalist group, will be named as apostolic
administrator of the Campos diocese.

By uniting with Rome, the Brazilian traditionalist group
has broken with other followers of the late Archbishop
Marcel Lefebvre. Active negotiations to restore communion
between the Holy See and the schismatic Society of St. Pius
X broke down last year, when the Lefebvrist group refused to
acknowledge the authority of Vatican II teachings. Bishop
Bernard Fellay, the head of the Society of St. Pius X,
traveled to Brazil in a vain effort to dissuade the Campos
group from returning to the Vatican fold.

The formal reception of the traditionalist group-- bringing
an end to the only schism in the history of Latin America--
will take place at a ceremony held in the Campos cathedral
on Friday evening, January 18, Cardinal Dario Castillon
Hoyos, the prefect of the Congregation for the Clergy (and
the lead Vatican negotiator in talks with the
traditionalist groups) will act as the Pope's personal
representative at the ceremony.

Today's Vatican announcement revealed that Bishop Rangel
had written to Pope John Paul last August 15, expressing
his desire for "perfect communion with the See of Peter."
In that letter the bishop also recognized the primacy of
the Pope, and his authority over the universal Church.

On Christmas Day, the Holy Father responded positively,
announcing that he would create an apostolic administration
for the Brazilian traditionalists within the Campos diocese.
The Pope's apostolic letter makes it clear that the Society
of St. Jean Vianney may continue to use the Tridentine-rite
Mass. And the letter removes all canonical penalties against
the traditionalists, lifting their excommunication.

Bishop Rangel-- who, at the age of 65, is suffering from
cancer-- has announced that he and the 26 priests of the
Society of St. Jean Vianney will plan a pilgrimage to Rome,
hoping to meet with Pope John Paul and convey their
gratitude for his apostolic letter.

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