ABOUT THE CHURCH AND THE VATICAN

This has been reported in the blogs in the past week, but I have only now gotten round to it. Thanks to

for the link to the original story on a Spanish Catholic website.


Bishop Galarreta will head
FSSPX panel for theological
discussions with the CDF
Translated from



The Spanish-Argentine Bishop Alfondo de Galarreta has been named president of the FSSPX theologians' commission that will be holding doctrinal discussions with the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.

He will coordinate and direct meetings for that purpose with the corresponding panel from the CDF.



Galarreta is currently in charge of the Our Lady Co-Redemptrix Seminary in La Reja, near Buenos Aires, Argentina, taking the place of the disgraced Mons. Richard Williamson.

He will therefore have to program his time to allow for him to travel to Rome as and when needed for the discussions expected to begin in the fall.

Usually very low profile, he is known to have hardline doctrinal positions. Nonetheless, he is known to be very reasonable in his dealings and is also known to be a realist.

But he hardly ever deals with the media. His pastoral style has gained the respect of the faithful adn teh clergy of the FSSPX, particularly for his ability to give counsel, and the clarity in exposing his thoughts.

FSSPX sources said that Galarreta will continue to head the seminary in Argentina, but a determination will be made later whether his role in the discussions with the Vatican will require him to stay away too long or too often from the Seminary.

The current practical impossibility that Bishop Williamson can carry out any responsibility within the FSSPX has only added to the burden of the three other FSSPX bishops.

No date has yet been set for the first meeting between CDF and FSSPX theologians. The FSSPX has requested a definitive clarification of ambiguous language in the documents of Vatican II, particularly those that have to do with religious freedom, inter-religious dialog and liturgy.

Meanwhile, Father Christian Bouchacourt has been confirmed for another six years as Superior of the FSSPX South American District