Hopes of reconciliation between Rome and the Society of St. Pius X appear to have suffered a serious setback.

The Italian news agency ANSA has reported that Bishop Bernard Fellay, superior general of the traditionalist society, told the Swiss daily Le Courier yesterday that the society will not accept the reforms of the Second Vatican Council.

Vatican officials have made it clear that, even in the wake of Pope Benedict’s lifting of the excommunications of Bishop Fellay and three other Society of St. Pius X bishops, reconciliation with the society is possible only if it accepts the authority of all of the Council’s documents.

But Bishop Fellay told Le Courier that the Second Vatican Council has caused the Church “only damages,” ANSA reported.

“The aftermath of the Council has been to empty seminaries, nunneries and churches,” Bishop Fellay said. “Thousands of priests have left their orders and millions of faithful have stopped being practicing Catholics and have joined sects.”

Bishop Fellay stressed the SSPX is not prepared to budge on its opposition to the Second Vatican Council before the start of discussions with the Vatican about coming back into full communion with the Church.

“The Vatican has acknowledged the need for preliminary talks aimed at dealing with basic issues which stem from the Second Vatican Council,” said Bishop Fellay. “Making the acceptance of the Council a preliminary condition is putting the cart before the horse.”

According to the ANSA article, there was no immediate comment from the Vatican about Bishop Fellay’s remarks.