FSSP with Pope Benedict

Recently, Very Rev Fr John Berg FSSP, the Superior General of the Priestly Fraternity of St Peter, met with the Holy Father in the library of the Apostolic Palace. Fr Berg was given the opportunity to speak privately with the Holy Father for fifteen minutes - something less common now that under Pope John Paul II. Afterwards Pope Benedict greeted Fr Bisig and the other founders of the FSSP. He gave his blessing to the FSSP which has 350 members. (There are also 2600 members in the Confraternity of St Peter.) The Holy Father's particular message was "remain ever faithful."

The FSSp website shows some interesting statistics. As of September 2008, there were 347 members: 208 priests, 11 deacons, and 128 seminarians. Average age of members: 37. ("The Church is alive. The Church is young."

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