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Volume
2, Chapter XXX
30
November 1978
Sacra
Congregatio
pro Doctrina Fidei
Prot. N.1144/69
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00193
Romae,
Piazza del S, Uffizio,11
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Your
Excellency,
Because
of events you know, I have not been able until now to send
you the sequel of my letter under the same protocol dated
16 June 1978. I am now able to do so.
I
mentioned a probability to you in that letter, and I now ask
you to be so good as to take part in a conference which will
be held at the seat of the Sacred Congregation for the Doctrine
of the Faith.
Such
a meeting is the normal conclusion to the examination of your
positions by our Congregation, an examination in which you
assisted in our previous exchange of letters. The conference
will take place according to the prescriptions and with all
the guarantees of the Ratio agendi in doctrinarum examine
of this Congregation, notably articles 13 and 14 (cf.
AAS 63,1971, pp. 234-236). It is of course indispensable that
it take place in the most absolute discretion.
As
for its duration, I ask you to count on two consecutive days
(as far as possible a Thursday and a Friday, to allow for
the other regular meetings of the Congregation); and as to
the date I suggest that you choose between next 21 and 22
December and 11 and 12 January 1979.
I
shall be grateful if you will kindly let me know as soon as
possible, through the Apostolic Nuncio in Switzerland, which
of those dates you choose, or an alternative date if you are
unable to accept either of them.
I
thank you in advance for your reply, and with respect and
devotedness in the Lord I am Your Excellency's
Franc.
Card. Seper
Prefect
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12
December 1978
Letter
of Mgr. Lefebvre to Cardinal Seper
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Your
Eminence,
Through
the Nunciature I have received your invitation to come to
the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.
You
offer me two dates. The 11 and 12 January suits me better,
and I shall go to Albano to be ready for that date.
It
would help me very much to know beforehand the special subjects
of the interview. I should tell you, in this connection, that
if it is a question of doctrine it would be more effectively
dealt with in writing than in speech.
Is
it possible for you to tell me who are the persons I shall
be meeting?
On
the occasion of my conversations with R. Fr. Dhanis and R.
Fr. Duroux, Mgr. Benelli authorized me to have a companion.
I think you will allow me to be accompanied on this occasion
also.
With
respect and cordial devotion in Christ and Mary,
+Marcel
Lefebvre
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19
December 1978
Letter
of Cardinal Seper to Mgr. Lefebvre
Sacra
Congregatio
pro Doctrina Fidei
Prot. N.1144/69
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00193
Romae,
Piazza del S, Uffizio,11
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Your
Excellency,
I
thank you for your reply, dated 12 December last, to my letter
of 30 November 1978, which reached me through the Apostolic
Nunciature in Switzerland.
I
note that you accept the date, 11 and 12 January 1979. We
shall expect you at the seat of this Congregation on Thursday,
11 January, at 10 o'clock.
As
I have already told you in my previous letter, the conference
will be held according to the prescriptions and with all the
guarantees of the Ratio agendi in doctrinarum examine of
this Congregation. That Ratio does not provide
that the person being heard shall be assisted by anyone else.
Its article 14 prescribes the drawing up of a protocol – the
only document receivable in evidence – submitted for approval
and for possible observations to the person heard, who can
later be given a copy.
I
can tell you that your interlocutors will be the higher Authorities
of the Congregation, assisted by one or two experts. The interview
will not deal with the sum of the doctrinal questions, which
have already been touched upon extensively in writing, but
only with some precise points concerning doctrine and the
discipline of the Church together, points already raised in
our correspondence and on which the questions to be asked
will not require previous preparation.
At
the approach of the Christmas feasts I send you my best wishes,
with an assurance of prayers.
Yours
respectfully and devotedly in the Lord,
Franc.
Card. Seper
Prefect
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Courtesy of the Angelus
Press, Regina Coeli House
2918 Tracy Avenue, Kansas City, MO 64109
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