January 26th 2009

*Ecclesia Dei Society New Zealand applauds Pope Benedict XVI’s decree released yesterday, cancelling the excommunications of the four new bishops consecrated by Archbishop Lefebvre in 1988.*

The Ecclesia Dei Society New Zealand [EDSNZ] is the only New Zealand group that has been promoting appreciation of the Traditional Latin Mass, and its availability for all Catholics, for the past fifteen years.

EDSNZ expresses total support for the decree released yesterday and wishes to draw attention to the statement made by the superior of the order concerned, Bishop Fellay, Society of St. Pope Pius X.

As New Zealand is still missionary territory, many NZ Catholics appreciate the missionary efforts of the SSPX which has been serving NZ and other parts of the Catholic Church in Oceania for decades.

EDSNZ is aware that interest in the Extraordinary Form of the Latin Rite has burgeoned worldwide under Benedict XVI’s pontificate, especially among the younger priests and faithful. The Ecclesia Dei Society New Zealand will continue to support the Pope by assisting in the provision of this traditional form of the Mass contained in the 1962 Missal.

We appreciate the difficulties our New Zealand media might experience in obtaining and interpreting accurate reports on the above matter, relating solely to the excommunication of SSPX bishops. We would urge direct contact specifically with the NZ SSPX themselves if possible (phone 06 344 7634), in the interests of justice and fairness.