Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter

Geschichte

The Priestly Fraternity of St. Peter (Fraternitas Sacerdotalis Sancti Petri; FSSP) is a traditionalist Catholic society of apostolic life for priests and seminarians which is in communion with the Holy See.The society was founded in 1988 under the leadership of 12 priests who were formerly members of the Society of Saint Pius X, another traditionalist Catholic organization, but were unwilling to remain part of it following the Écône consecrations, which resulted in its bishops being excommunicated by the Holy See.Headquartered in Switzerland, the society maintains two international seminaries: the International Seminary of St. Peter in Germany and Our Lady of Guadalupe Seminary in Denton, Nebraska. The society is officially recognized by the Holy See and its priests celebrate Mass in locations in 124 worldwide dioceses.Canonical statusAccording to canon law, the FSSP is a "Clerical Society of Apostolic Life of Pontifical Right". It is not, therefore, an Institute of Consecrated Life, and members take no religious vows, but are instead bound by the same general laws of celibacy and obedience as diocesan clergy and, in addition, swear an oath as members of the society. The fraternity's pontifical-right status means that it has been established by the Pope and is answerable only to him in terms of its operation (through the Pontifical Commission Ecclesia Dei), rather than to local bishops. A local bishop still governs the fraternity's work within his respective diocese. In this sense its organization and administrative reporting status are similar to those of religious orders of pontifical right (for example, the Jesuits or Dominicans).