According to the statement, issued by SSPX superior general Bishop Bernard Fellay, the society "does not primarily seek recognition from the Vatican".

Bishop Fellay met Pope Francis for the first time in April.

For the Year of Mercy, Pope Francis granted faculties to SSPX priests to offer absolution of sins.

In the statement, Bishop Fellay said "a large number of pastors, including the Pope himself" have encouraged errors.

The bishop said a "painful confusion" currently reigns in the Church.

He affirmed that, in such times, the proclamation of Catholic doctrine requires the denunciation of such errors.

The statement did not specify the "errors" it was referring to.

And it didn't say how the the society believes Pope Francis is encouraging them.

The SSPX society "has a right" to full canonical recognition, Bishop Fellay stated.

But its primary aim is to teach the fullness of Catholic faith, "which shows the only route to follow in this age of darkness in which the cult of man replaces the worship of God, in society as in the Church".

"The 'restoration of all things in Christ' . . . cannot happen without the support of a pope who concretely favours the return to sacred tradition," the statement said.

"While waiting for that blessed day, the Society of St Pius X intends to redouble its efforts to establish and to spread, with the means that divine providence gives to it, the social reign of Our Lord Jesus Christ."

The statement added: "The Society of Saint Pius X prays and does penance for the Pope, that he might have the strength to proclaim Catholic faith and morals in their entirety."

The statement was issued after a meeting of the group's leaders from 25-28 June.

Sources

• National Catholic Reporter
• Catholic Herald
• The Tablet
• DICI (Statement from SSPX)
• Image: Inside the Vatican

Last September, Francis decreed that during the Holy Year of Mercy, anyone who confesses their sins to an SSPX priest will be considered validly forgiven.

Now, SSPX superior Bishop Bernard Fellay has said Francis told him during a recent meeting that he wants to extend this authorisation.

A private meeting took place between the Francis and Bishop Fellay on April 1 at the Pope's personal residence at the Vatican.

In a homily at a Mass in France, Bishop Fellay also shared that Francis had said he'd never condemn the society, and that in his eyes, they were "part of the Church".

In the April 10 homily, Bishop Fellay expressed "happiness" over his encounter with Francis.

"You are Catholics, you're not excommunicated, and we must continue to work towards full communion", is what the bishop claims the Pope told him.

The canonical status of the SSPX was not addressed during the meeting between Pope Francis and Bishop Fellay.

But both reportedly determined that the exchanges between them have to continue "without haste".

In the homily, Bishop Fellay also spoke of Francis's recent apostolic exhortation on the family, Amoris Laetitia.

The bishop says the document "makes us cry", adding that its stance on access to the sacraments for divorced and civilly remarried couples makes this a "terrible document which harms the Church".

Talks between the Vatican and the SSPX have been ongoing since 2000, so far with no success.

Last year, Cardinal Mario Poli, handpicked by Francis as his successor in Buenos Aires, helped the society earn recognition as a juridical person.

Sources

• Crux Now
• Image: Catholic Herald