According to sources, John Paul II is eager to heal the schism, perhaps as early as mid-April in time for Easter celebrations. Perl told NCR he could confirm that talks are in progress but could not say anything more. According to Richard Williamson, one of the four bishops ordained by Lefevbre in 1988, the current negotiations began in the summer of 1999. Though the event had not been on the Vatican calendar, officials acknowledged it had taken place with the approval of the Holy See. More recently, John Paul named four high-profile new members to the Ecclesia Dei commission on Feb. 24.
Sources say the appointments indicate the talks have entered a final decision-making stage.
Ratzinger had handled the initial discussions in 1988 and had signed an agreement with Lefevbre, but it fell apart when Lefevbre went ahead with the ordinations. If Williamson, based at the society's Thomas Aquinas Seminary in Winona, Minn., is any indication, debate within the St. Pius X Society over the wisdom of an accord with the Vatican will not be easy to resolve. Another delicate issue is what happens to groups such as the Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter, created by the Vatican for priests devoted to the Latin Mass who did not want to join Lefebvre's schism. A source close to one such group told NCR that some of its members might join the Pius X group if it is welcomed back, while others, fearing what they see as the ultra-conservative character of some Pius X leaders, would likely opt to stay where they are.