Statement from the Opus Dei Press Office about the Society of Saint Pius X

If the Society of Saint Pius X achieves full communion with the Apostolic See, it will be an occasion of great joy.

Regarding the proposed juridical configuration, it is important to bear in mind that the canonical figure of a personal prelature is very broad and can encompass distinct realities. These all have in common that they are composed of prelate, clergy and faithful who continue belonging to the diocese in which they live. Therefore, it is not surprising that this solution for achieving unity was chosen for the Society of Saint Pius X.

The flexibility of this juridical figure explains how the same framework of personal prelature can embrace two different entities: Opus Dei, which has a specific pastoral mission of fostering union with God in the middle of the world and the apostolate of the faithful, especially through the sanctification of professional work and family life, and this possible new prelature, which is expected to provide a more general jurisdiction over the faithful for the administration of the sacraments according to the liturgical norms prior to the reform of Pope Paul VI.

In any case, we are grateful to God for the Holy Father's efforts to achieve unity.

Press Office of the Prelature of Opus Dei, Rome, June 14, 2012