Here in Provence, as in much of Europe, we have had an exceptionally hot summer – so much so that in the past few weeks we have watched and waited and prayed as the wildfires that have broken out around us have been fought valiantly and professionally by the emergency services who, thus far, have succeeded in limiting the untold damage of which they are capable. It seems that most started accidentally, though it is clear that some were deliberate acts of arson.
It has been a relatively calm summer ecclesiastically; the Pope and his officials went on holiday in July and no major fires broke out to disturb them. No doubt some of the time was spent studying and praying and thinking about ‘hot’ topics – amongst them the excommunication of the Society of St Pius X and the related, but also distinct, question of whether and how the severe restrictions imposed on the older liturgical rites by the previous pope should or could be relaxed or overturned. They are not small questions and, whilst those concerned naturally want the Holy Father to move forward quickly, at a practical level they may take some time to resolve.
