I would not argue against the desire for the Society of St. Pius X to preserve its identity, as long as such does not include a persistent and deliberate opposition to the rest of the Church’s self-understanding.

I would also not argue against the discernment of a silent apostasy to which we must respond. However, we must not be deaf to the loud or blatant rebellion and dissent from various members, on the right and left, that afflicts the institution founded by Christ.

ROME -- Thieves robbed Romans and tourists of the traditional end of the feast of Our Lady of the Snows at the Basilica of Mary Major.

The centerpiece of the feast -- Mass inside the basilica with white flower petals falling from the ceiling to invoke snow -- still occurred yesterday.

But the big finish -- a sound, light and artificial-snow show in the square outside the basilica -- was postponed to Aug.