A BOMBSHELL THAT IS SLOWLY EXPLODING: THE HETERODOX ARE RENDING THEIR GARMENTS, BUT DO THEY HAVE A POINT ABOUT AN EMERITUS POPE REINSERTING HIMSELF ON THE WORLD CHURCH STAGE??????????
What if Pope Francis also resigns and a very traditional pope is elected and the emeritus pope makes known that he is not pleased with his agenda being erased? How would orthodox Catholics feel about Pope Francis writing things that appear to contradict his successor?
But with that said, is it the will of God that this most peculiar situation of two popes in the Vatican with two visions of what the Catholic Church should be, is preordained to help the Church pick one over the other, with the Benedict option the preferable? Is this why God has kept Pope Benedict alive for the entire papacy of Pope Francis??????????? Just wondering!
Press this title from the
National Chismatic Reporter to see their horror at this development:
Apr 12, 2019
An excerpt:
Even the Vatican appears to be struggling to understand
what to do with a former pope who wants to engage in public debate. As
Benedict's latest letter appeared on several right-wing Catholic
websites overnight April 10, the Holy See Press Office seemed
unprepared, unable even to respond to questions about whether the text
was authentic.
In fact it was Archbishop Georg Ganswein, Benedict's personal
secretary, that confirmed for many journalists that the text was indeed
from the former pontiff.
"The institution of the pope emeritus in the age of mass media and of
social media must be regulated carefully," said Massimo Faggioli, an
Italian church historian and theologian who teaches at Villanova
University.
"This is something that must be done especially about the papal
entourage," he said. "The Vatican is a Renaissance court and it is
difficult enough to govern one court without having to deal with a
'shadow papal court' — which is what we have today."
Gaillardetz and Bellitto, a professor of history at Kean University
in New Jersey, both said Benedict's decision to continue wearing white
after his resignation and to call himself the "pope emeritus," instead
of some other title such as the "emeritus bishop of Rome," have not
helped make clear that there is only one pope at a time.
"These decisions have rather predictably fed deeply troubling 'two pope' theories," said Gaillardetz.
14 comments:
If the bishops were of a better quality resulting in a reasonably consistent voice on the throne, we wouldn't have this problem or, one that is this amplified. But, as that isn't the case and, Benedict XVI felt compelled to resign for reasons not definitively known, here we are. Is this the ideal? Clearly not. Am I comforted by Benedict's continued presence during these turbulent times? Absolutely! Am I beyond weary of the "mess" and resultant distraction of this particularly papacy? You bet!
"The institution of the pope emeritus in the age of mass media and of social media must be regulated carefully," said Massimo Faggioli, an Italian church historian and theologian who teaches at Villanova University.
Ordinarily, I would agree. It seems, however, that the current pontificate has made a compelling case for it itself to be regulated.
Benedict's "encyclical" is a gift of clarity after 6+ tedious years of the converse.
well it could be arranged, I know a guy in Naples!
And what if a pope gets Alzheimer's , something that can last 10 years or more? We're just supposed to endure it? I mean, does anyone really need to be holding that office---or any office--- at age 85 or 90? I think not....dioceses have lived with 2 or 3 bishops (active and retired before); Savannah has a retired bishop (Kevin Boland), but I don't hear that he interferes with the governance of the current bishop.
Why would it bother them? They ignore Church teaching why not some old German in a convent. It might be because books don’t actually speak until you read them. Even old men can interrupt your dinner to point out your mistakes.
Benedict's intervention is raising the intensive controversy not because he is the Pope-Emeritus but because even his enemies recognize the he is a superior theologian, pastors, teacher, and a living martyr of the faith. Compare hime to the current office holder and the issue becomes crystal clear: he is more of a Pope now than Pope Francis no matter how one looks at it.
Benedict XVI possesses a degree of respect and authenticity and legitimacy than the current Holy Father. He coundn't even hide it. This is why Faggioly wants to silence Him. I am also certain that Benedict XVI would not have spoken unless he was convinced that the situation in the Church is so critical that his desperately needed words were justified by it. The jig is up. Vigano and Benedict spoke. The 4 Cardinals spoke.
Luke 19:40
And he answered and said unto them, I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.
"...living martyr..."?
Oh, please....
Anonymous,
Well stated. When I review the Popes of my lifetime, starting with Pius XII down to today, I can't think of a man so inadequate and ill suited for the job than the current occupant of the throne of St. Peter. As misguided as Paul VI was, he was at least doctrinally orthodox.
I realize that when he resigned the Papacy, Pope Benedict XVI planned to fade into the background. However, he has changed his mind about that.
Fine. Let him speak and write...that's his right.
I don't understand the uproar as to Pope Emeritus' decision to offer his opinions via his latest essay.
1. Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI declared to journalist Peter Seewald that Pope Francis' Pontificate in in perfect continuity with his (Pope Benedict XVI) former Pontificate.
2. He has thanked and praised throughout the years Pope Francis' defense and promotion of the True Religion.
Pope Benedict XVI ended his recent essay in praise of Pope Francis' great efforts "to show us, again and again, the light of God."
Pope Benedict XVI, has, during the past few years, deferred to Pope Francis while praising Pope Francis' Pontificate.
Again, Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI stated to journalist Peter Seewald that Pope Francis' Pontificate is in line with Pope Benedict XVI's Pontificate.
Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI has made it clear that Pope Francis is Pope...that they share the same Faith...that the current and previous Pontificates are in harmony.
What on earth is the problem with allowing Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI to speak about Church-related issues?
Pax.
Mark Thomas
Anonymous at 5:38,
Your idea of a living martyr is a priest forced to say Mass ad orientem! Oh the horror, oh the inhumanity!
Why not seek his council? Why not surround yourself with the best minds and hearts you can find and let them lift and inspire you? Then in your dotage they will continue as if you were there. Until you are gone.
The concept of a 'pope emeritus' is an odd one, like 'two forms of the one Roman Rite'. (There are in fact two distinct rites.)
Following the precedent of the last pope to resign (Gregory XII in 1415) Benedict could have taken a titular bishopric on his abdication. Then he would be free to speak as a bishop, and there would be no 'two pope' nonsense (a concept which is inherently schismatic).
There is controversy because Benedict is the "emeritus". If the positions were reversed and Benedict was the "active pope" and F. Bergolio was the "emeritus" the same crowd would be publicly expressing their gratitude for him sharing his "wisdom:. You know, I know and the American Catholic people know it.
Recovering Liberal,
Yep. Except PF has little to share other than criticizing faithful Catholics and slobbering over fake ones.
John Nolan,
How dare you criticize the ridiculous fiction of two forms of one Roman Rite! Get with it!
ps:
you nailed it. Only the gullible would fall for that one
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