On January 18, 2002, Cardinal Castrillon Hoyos will
read, in the cathedral of Campos, various documents by
which Pope John Paul II erects an apostolic administration
for the (traditional) priests of Campos and the faithful who
are associated with them. Bishop Rangel is recognized as
a Catholic bishop and named as the head of the new
administration. This administration will have the right to
use the 1962 liturgical books, that is to say the Tridentine
Mass. The censures "possibly incurred" (sic) will be lifted.
The Pope accepts the offer from the priests of Campos to
combat heresy in the Church.

Bishop Rangel will make a profession of Faith, in the
name of everyone, and a declaration, in which he
ecognizes John Paul II as Pope, the bishop of the diocese
as the legitimate bishop and Vatican Council II as a
council of the Catholic Church. He will nevertheless state
that he reserves the right to criticize in a positive way
that which is not in conformity with Tradition. Likewise for
the New Mass, recognized as valid in itself, but which also
is subject to constructive criticism.

The Society of Saint Pius X remarks that this outcome
is the fruit of a peace separated from itself. In order to
obtain it, the Campos priests had to separate themselves,
to some extent, from the Society of Saint Pius X. The
Society takes note of the hastiness and the partially
hidden character of the negotiations that preceded the
present recognition. They have abandoned, for example,
the condition concerning the Tridentine Mass that would
have granted every priest the right to celebrate it freely.
All of this is not good, for strength lies in unity. We
cannot say either that by this act the crisis in the Church
has been overcome. It could be a step in this direction.
The future will tell us.

The Fathers from Campos affirm that they will continue
the combat for Tradition. It must also be acknowledged
hat no substantial concession on a doctrinal level has
been made. Time alone will determine how Rome permits
the development of this work. With respect to this, the
choice of the successor for Bishop Licinio Rangel will be of
great importance. This question is not decided. The same
can be said for the juridical status of the administration,
also not decided.

What will be, henceforth, their relations with Rome and
with us? It is again time that will determine this. The new
situation that has been created will be a test for the
uture. The Society remains very reserved, and watches
apprehensively as close as possible the development of
the work, while waiting to see its fruits. It is by its fruits
that a tree is to be judged.

It must be acknowledged that, for the first time, a
diocesan kind of structure has been granted to Tradition. A
traditional bishop is now recognized as such, as fully
Catholic.

We pray that all this work together for the good of
Tradition and of the Church, despite the mixed feelings
hat we feel for the time being. We only desire to continue
our work in the spirit and according to the principles
handed down to us by Archbishop Lefebvre.

On the feast of Saint Marcel,
+ Bernard Fellay

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Salutations à tous !

Pierre