Bishop Bernard Fellay on the Rosary Crusade & doctrinal talks

19,142,065 rosaries from traditional Catholics worldwide!

By Brian Mershon

Published May 11, 2010 at The Remnant (remnantnewspaper.com)

Houston, Texas — Superior General Bishop Bernard Fellay of the Society of St. Pius X recently spoke to The Remnant in an exclusive interview following the completion of their third Rosary crusade for the Holy Father.

Despite Cardinal Kasper's most recent obvious attempt to "poison the well" and upend the ongoing discussions with the Society's theologians and representatives of the Holy See (talks for which it should be noted he has no role whatsoever), the Holy Father will visit Fatima this week and deliver an intense message.

Our Blessed Mother cannot be undone in answering prayers as the mediatrix of all graces. Dare we hope and pray that the Holy Father's message is an answer to the most recent rosary crusade as quickly as the first two requests were answered during our Holy Father's visit this week?

The third Rosary Crusade, completed March 25, for the consecration of Russia to the Immaculate Hear of Mary and for the Triumph of her Immaculate Heart was completed with 5.5 million rosaries from the U.S. and a total of 19,142,065 rosaries by Traditionalist Catholics worldwide.

Your Excellency. What is your reaction to the Society's request for 12 million rosaries with a result of more than 19 million?

First of all, I am very, very happy to see such enthusiasm and such an answer to our call. I'm certain that this number isn't only from the Society's faithful; I'm sure that many many others have joined for whom we don't have the total figures. That's the first thing.

Secondly, I'm pleased with the enthusiasm for understanding the importance of this matter. This subject matter is very, very important.

The two other rosary crusades previously, delivered quick answers to the prayers — the freeing of the Traditional Latin Mass to all priests everywhere and the dissolving of the excommunications of the Society bishops, then the beginning of doctrinal talks. Do you expect such quick answers to prayers for the consecration of Russia with all of the bishops of the world from this third rosary crusade?

I leave it totally in the hands of God and the Blessed Virgin Mary.

But, probably not. One never knows, but I would be very surprised if the Pope consecrated Russia. It would be a great, great surprise. But we have already been surprised before, so I would not be amazed if that were to happen so quickly.

This time what we're asking for is so important and so big and it is so directly involved in all the events of the history of our times.

Ever since Pope Benedict was elected and the new Russian Orthodox Patriarch was since chosen, there is an obvious mutual thaw in relations for the better? The Russian Orthodox Patriarch even published a book of the Pope's writings to disseminate to his lay faithful!

How do you read this? Is this related to the Third Secret of Fatima?

I personally believe there is something on the move in Russia. There definitely does seem to be something moving in Russia. There is something in the air.

How far and how deep? I do not know.

But, there are many things that show there is a revival of religion in Russia.

Has the Society already sent the bouquet yet or is it going to happen?

It is going to happen [soon].

What is the Society's attitude on the worldwide media's recent coordinated attacks to personally discredit the Holy Father and the Church as "recent" news stories?

I think we have there a good demonstration that the Church really does still really have enemies. And these enemies have real names. You can see that through this ongoing campaign. It is very revealing.

On the one hand, we have the old-guard U.S. enemies and on the other hand, we have the leftists from Europe both working together.

Do you think these attacks are related to the chastisements foretold by Sister Lucia in the Third Secret?

It's too difficult to say. But if there is one quote from Fatima that I would quote that applies — it is this:

The Pope will suffer a lot. The Pope will suffer a lot."

And you have it there.

The ongoing doctrinal talks with the Holy See are occurring outside the media spotlight for obvious reasons.

What do you expect to happen as the concrete result? What has to happen in the doctrinal talks for the Society to agree to a canonical structure? Are the talks even related to a possible canonical solution?

It's impossible to say. Absolutely impossible. It depends upon too many factors right now. I don't have the answer.

Some critics say that the Society's rejection of a canonical or practical solution is a sign of obstinance or ill will. How do you answer that?

It is very simple. The Holy See has agreed that the doctrinal talks should happen, so that should answer the questions without putting the burden on me.

Besides that, it is very clear that whatever practical solution that would happen without a sound doctrinal foundation would lead directly to disaster. We don't want that.

We want and need the security of a sound solution on the level of doctrine to go ahead. So to pretend there is something definitive prior to engaging in the doctrinal talks...

We have all these previous examples in front of us — the Fraternity of St. Peter, the Institute of Christ the King and all of the others are totally blocked on the level of doctrine because they first accepted the practical agreement.

Do you believe the Pope personally sincerely desires a canonical solution with the Society of St. Pius X?

Yes, I think so. Yes, I do.

I think the Pope desires this. He wants the Church to be better and he wants to complete the quest of the consecration of bishops with the Society.

You have mentioned in previous interviews that the Society has positive acquaintances or even friends as bishops, cardinals — and even in the Roman curia. What advice do they give you while the doctrinal talks are ongoing these days?

Nothing at all. They are very discreet right now.

I think the discussions we're having right now are very good and are happening at a very discreet level.

The next talks are taking place in May.

Are you aware of any group of priests, lay faithful or dioceses in the recent history of the Church who have offered such large bouquets of rosaries to the Holy Father as the Society has now done thrice?

Not to my knowledge. It might have happened, but I don't have any reference.

But it is obvious that such a crusade is something unique. I believe that now Fr. Gruner is now going to do the same thing.

What is your advice to Catholics who desire to open a chapel in their area? Is the Society putting the breaks on expanding chapel locations due to the doctrinal talks?

First, the lay faithful should contact us and then we try to do something for them. Right now, we have so many requests, that we can hardly fulfill them. This year, we have a good year for ordinations, but even with this, we are too short of priests [to fulfill all the requests]. We can hardly answer all the requests.

But we continue our normal life as before. It would be totally counterproductive to think we would have to stop any increase in our life because of talks with Rome. It should be quite the contrary.

Your Excellency, Do you have any final thoughts?

Prayers to the Blessed Virgin Mary have to continue. Some might think that since we achieved our rosary crusade, now everything is fine. No. No. No.

It is now very clear that we are now engaged in a battle with the real enemies of the Church. So Catholics, be ready! Gain the victory with the rosary!

© Brian Mershon