Unam Sanctam – Review of the First Six Months

To all bishops, priests, clerics, religious, and laypersons who support the Unam Sanctam Initiative

To all those who view the Unam Sanctam Initiative with interest and goodwill

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Dear Friends,

As one of the well-known voices that have spoken out in support of the Unam Sanctam Initiative and having actively participated in the establishment of this movement alongside several other members of the clergy and many laypeople, I would like, through this letter, to take stock of our efforts over the first six months and offer my humble perspective on the future of the initiative.

I would like to begin by noting that, despite the fact that my humble name has been associated in many ways with the Unam Sanctam Initiative, I do not exclusively represent the movement. It was established from the outset that this initiative could not be a personal endeavor, but must be the call of the scattered Church; that individuals must, as much as possible, step back in the face of the common good at stake. These few words I address to you are therefore my personal thoughts on the subject and nothing more.

What Has Been Accomplished

Let’s begin by taking stock of the positive achievements. Since the launch of the Unam Sanctam website, the theology of the Imperfect General Council as a potential solution to the Church’s current situation has become more widely known. While a few voices had been pointing the way for several years without, however, receiving much attention, it is now difficult to find anyone who has not heard of Unam Sanctam and the solutions it proposes. How many faithful Catholics—who until then were unaware that the Church is a perfect society and that, consequently, she possesses within herself all the means necessary for her survival until “the blessed hope and the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ” (Titus 2:13)—and seeing no light at the end of the tunnel until now—have begun to pray daily that the Lord may gather His Church, and especially its bishops, so that they may study together the remedies for the evils afflicting us? God alone knows.

For the first time since the beginning of this terrible crisis, fifteen bishops have offered their support—admittedly anonymous for now—to the idea that the Church must come together to address the grave issues we are facing. Fifty-six priests and eighty-seven religious have also, to date, given their approval and support. Nothing like this had happened before—not only in terms of upholding the Mass and the sacraments, but also in terms of a genuine desire for restoration. This is cause for joy, on the one hand.

Reluctance and Opposition

On the other hand, opposition has emerged. It quickly became evident that this initiative was met with contempt by some, indifference by others, and “cautious reserve” by others still. Let us therefore take stock of what we have witnessed in terms of opposition.

From the very beginning, the Unam Sanctam initiative was intended to be as open as possible to all those who still seem to express a desire for catholicity, so that no one could question the movement’s legitimacy by claiming to have been excluded from the discussion. Need we remind you that Unam Sanctam is not—and never has been—an attempt to create yet another “garage pope”? Unam Sanctam is the fruit of a desire to gather the scattered flock so that the Shepherd who will govern it and keep it united may be found. But the current state of dispersion has given rise to many fears, and sectarianism is widespread. Not only do some oppose the legitimacy of the Imperfect General Council, but many are unwilling even to participate in a frank and peaceful discussion on the subject.

Let us therefore examine the reactions of the various factions in order to better understand the situation:

• Conservative Novus Ordo members: We were contacted by a few of them who recognize the gravity of the situation. But the initiative has received very little support: despite all the problems they observe, they have a pope.

• The FSSP showed little concern. We received questions and elicited some goodwill and curiosity. But the issue hardly arises for them: they have a pope.

• The FSSPX was, unsurprisingly, indifferent. Should we not say that, despite the fact that in practice they have no pope and are even excommunicated by the one they call by that name, in pure theory, they have a pope.

• The supporters of the Cassiciacum Thesis were undoubtedly the most opposed to the Unam Sanctam initiative. Let us give them credit for having taken even a passing interest in it. We have received many anathemas from some of their members. We gladly forgive them. Unam Sanctam is not based on bitter zeal or a desire to force the situation in a particular direction. But ultimately, the explanation is quite simple, despite the best protests of the Thesis’s supporters, one way or another: they have a pope. Materially speaking, yes, we know.

But let us now turn to those who have no pope—those with whom no spiritual bond is tied in any way to the conciliar hierarchy, not even the mere hope of a conversion that would give it the legitimacy it lacks, according to some. What possible reasons could justify rejecting the very prudent and moderate proposals of the Unam Sanctam Initiative?

• Some have refused to give any support to an initiative they had not approved before it even came into being. We hope for a change of heart on their part.

• Others have offered a form of support in principle but assert that the time is not yet right. The goal is certainly desirable, but the means to achieve it do not seem to be forthcoming—at least for now. An ineffective desire, in other words—a mere whim. We pray that they will take courage and set to work, for the first step is half the journey.

• Still others are concerned about the presence of certain members of the clergy. The open-mindedness of Unam Sanctam and its commitment not to supplant the gathering of the Church nor to make decisions that can only be made by the assembled episcopate strike them as suspect. We invite them to reflect peacefully in their hearts and to consider that one must start somewhere, and that the Church cannot be united by excluding from the outset those who wish to be part of it. The time will come when the Church will make the necessary distinctions.

• Others would like the path to be more clearly defined and certain issues to be resolved before any initiative is taken. It is worth recalling here that Unam Sanctam is not the Imperfect General Council. Unam Sanctam is a call to come together to make the Imperfect General Council possible, should it be determined that this is the appropriate course of action for the current situation.

• The anonymity of the clergy who support the Initiative is an obstacle for others. Despite the reasons cited by those who would like to see this anonymity lifted, it seems to us that maintaining it remains necessary for the time being in order to avoid partisan strife. Unam Sanctam is not a personal endeavor, and the endorsement of any particular individual must not become a criterion for discernment. Unam Sanctam has clearly established that no gathering whose direct purpose is to address the current situation of the Church may take place without the participants being identified.

Future Prospects

This, it seems to us, is the state of affairs. Where, then, is Unam Sanctam headed? First of all, I believe that Unam Sanctam must remain a beacon in the night. Surprisingly, the objections presented to us boiled down almost systematically to those that had already been raised by Unam Sanctam. The difficulties had therefore been clearly identified from the outset by the clergy. We propose a solution, but one that it is not our place to implement without the participation of our brothers. As long as they are unwilling to join us, it will be our duty to continue to be the voice crying out in the wilderness: “Prepare the way of the Lord.” (Isaiah 40:3)

Some believe this initiative is premature; others would like to see it move forward more quickly. In reality, what matters is that everyone does their duty. We believe we are doing ours by maintaining our call for as long as it takes. Unam Sanctam, in my opinion, must neither turn back nor rush ahead. Divine intervention does indeed seem necessary, as many have pointed out, but this divine intervention seems to me to consist more in a conversion of hearts than in a spectacular external miracle. We must peacefully stay the course, and God will turn hearts of stone into hearts of flesh.

Until this necessary conversion of hearts takes place—one that will make everyone feel uncomfortable about refusing to support a peaceful desire for restoration—it will be necessary to increase private initiatives and personal encounters. While we cannot yet gather together to ensure that the Church is given the Shepherd who must tend our souls, the charity we show can certainly heal many wounds. Indeed, many problems stem from a lack of willingness to reach out to one another as souls commonly redeemed by Christ and members of the same body—that of the Lord.

When I once asked a priest whether he believed the remedy for the present situation would come from a gathering of bishops or from divine intervention, that priest replied: “Your Excellency, the gathering of the bishops is the divine intervention we are awaiting. Christ founded His Church and willed that the successor of Peter be designated by the Church, although his authority does not come from the Church, but from Christ Himself. The constitution of the Church does not change, and God’s intervention will necessarily lead to a gathering of the clergy so that the supreme Shepherd of the Church may be chosen.” A response, it seems to me, full of wisdom.

Let us therefore remain steadfast in our resolve. If we truly believe that Christ is calling His Church to come together to put an end to the terrible crisis we are facing, we must continue to point the way. That will be the only “crime” of which we can be accused. Let us do everything in our power to hasten that day and await the help we need from God. Let us pray for the conversion of hearts and work toward that conversion both in season and out of season.

With warm regards, my prayers, and my blessing,

Bishop Pierre Roy