The following is a quote from a kath.net interview posted in English by Rorate Caeli. The gloves have come off and now we see the unveiled agenda of the current papal magisterium:
The Dam Burst!
"The latest developments (in the Vatican), however, point to a real breach of the dam" - "This flood could destroy what has still withstood" - kath.net interview with Pope biographer Peter Seewald about break of Francis with Benedict XVI.
kath.net: Mr. Seewald, on the occasion of the announcement of the newly nominated cardinals and the future prefect of the dicastery of the faith, Der Spiegel ran the headline, "Pope Francis Clears Up Benedict's Legacy." The Frankfurter Rundschau wrote: "Francis finally breaks with Benedict." Were you surprised by the headlines?
Seewald: Not really. On the one hand, they correspond to the wishful thinking of relevant media; on the other hand, it could be observed that Pope Francis' course becomes more radicalized with increasing age, or shall we say: unveiled. If then also a deserving collaborator like Archbishop Georg Gänswein is banished from the Vatican and at the same time a protégé is appointed as the supreme guardian of the faith, whose qualification for the most important office of the Catholic Church seems questionable, that is already an announcement.
kath.net: The future head of the Faith Authority, the Argentine Victor Fernández, defined his future task with the words, "a harmonious growth will preserve Christian teaching more effectively than any control mechanism."
Seewald: That sounds not only slippery, but downright grotesque in view of the dramatic crisis of the Church in the West. It must give one pause for thought that Pope Francis at the same time declares that in the past the dicastery "used immoral methods." How could this not be seen as a reference to former prefect of the faith Joseph Ratzinger? As well as an attempt to legitimize the change of course.
kath.net: In your latest book, Benedict's Legacy, you quote the words of praise that Francis had for his predecessor. He praised him as a "great pope": "Great for the strength of his intelligence, his contribution to theology, great for his love for the Church and for people, great for his virtues and his faith.
Seewald: I was very moved by that. And it is also apt. No knowledgeable observer would not recognize in Ratzinger one of the most important teachers on the chair of Peter. Today, however, one must ask oneself whether Bergoglio's confessions were just lip service, or even smokescreens. We all remember the warm words of Ratzinger at the Requiem for John Paul II, words that touched the heart, that spoke of Christian love, of respect. But no one remembers Bergoglio's words at the Requiem for Benedict XVI. They were as cold as the whole ceremony, which couldn't be short enough to avoid paying an inch too much tribute to his predecessor.
12 comments:
Wow. Harsh words.
The bombshell aspect of this is that Sewall has not been harsh about Pope Francis' papacy. I think the appointment of Fernandez as the Prefect of the DFC and Pope Francis' letter about Ratzinger using immoral methods to enforce Church doctrine has clearly set him off as well as Francis' treatment of Gaeswain and Mueller, not to mention others. I think most of us had given Pope Francis the benefit of the doubt about his orthodoxy. It is clear now that the veil has come off and precisely because Benedict is out of the way. I think many are now enraged at what now is quite obvioius, the canceling of not only the pre-Vatican II Church but now John Paul II and Benedict XVI.
We will survive this.....hopefully.
Should we not, I at least have the obvious path towards my Orthodox roots. Certainly, Romans can and have followed, but, that is a less organic approach that often leads to attrition. In other words, I can easily adapt and thrive in that culture and space, the same is significantly more challenging for your average Roman.
Other popes have been deposed, this one is a great candidate for deposition
TJM,
Indeed.
The Orthodox Declaration of Anathemas.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XF00JJ13l7Y
First, no surprises here.
Second, Father McDonald nails it
Third, Sewell is connecting the dots perfectly. PF is rushing toward infamy with his recent appointments and only a new Pope, with a more moderate approach can unwind some of this. If and until then, we are where we are and there is no end to this nightmare.
In regard to Peter Seewald's negative opinions in question: Countless folks have very positive opinions of Pope Francis...people who know him well.
But in regard to this, or that, opinion:
About two weeks ago, Father McDonald promoted an article from The Pillar in which Ed Condon proclaimed that then-Archbishop Fernández "seems no less qualified for the job than his recent predecessors."
From Father McDonald's headline:
-- The archbishop will lead the Vatican department in charge of fighting the abuse of minors - some have suggested he's underqualified, but is he?
Conversely, in today's story that Father McDonald has promoted, Peter Seewald said of Cardinal-designate Fernández:
Pope Francis has appointed a protégé "as the supreme guardian of the faith, whose qualification for the most important office of the Catholic Church seems questionable..."
Is Peter Seewald to be taken seriously in regard to his opinion of Cardinal-designate Fernández? Or do we take seriously Ed Condon's opinion in question?
==============================================================================
Anyway, that which matters the most is that God raised Jorge Bergoglio to serve as Pope.
God has empowered Pope Francis to teach, govern, and sanctify us.
But If I were to place credibility in anybody's opinions of Pope Francis, then the following is the person I would trust the most:
Pope Benedict XVI.
Pope Benedict XVI heaped tremendous praise upon Pope Francis...Pope Francis the man, Pope, theologian. Perhaps the most telling assessment of Pope Francis is the praise that Pope Benedict XVI offered posthumously via his (Pope Benedict XVI's) book:
Having left this earth, Pope Benedict XVI, who was, if you will, free to talk, declared:
"At the end of my reflections, I want to thank Pope Francis for everything he does to constantly display the light of God, which, even today, has not faded. Thank you, Holy Father!"
Pax.
Mark Thomas
Father McDonald said...... Pope Francis' letter about Ratzinger using immoral methods to enforce Church doctrine has clearly set him off..."
Pope Francis did not say that. Not even close.
Thank you.
Pax.
Mark Thomas
MT,
Is the sky blue or grey today!
ByzRus, Agreed!
Although, these days I observe the Romans from afar...There is a certain freedom to not having to think about what the higher ups are always doing (Or for that matter not doing). I think the West would be much more open to Syndality, if the majority of the Bishops had the Faith (and Liturgy) to back it up...
Within the the CCC there is a principle of subsidarity, not to leave to a higher power what can be done by a lower power, that principle is a lot easier to pull off if everyone is of one mind....
Let us examine some of Peter Seewald's statements from his interview in question.
Let us also examine the following vital question: What vile technique does Peter Seewald employ to justify his statements against Pope Francis?
======================================================
Example:
Peter Seewald said:
"It must give one pause for thought that Pope Francis at the same time declares that in the past the dicastery "used immoral methods." How could this not be seen as a reference to former prefect of the faith Joseph Ratzinger??
How?
Pope Francis has portrayed Joseph Ratzinger as a holy man. A man of tremendous integrity. A great man. A man who loved/loves God, as well as Holy Mother Church.
Therefore, it is impossible to square Pope Francis' positive portrayal of Joseph Ratzinger with the notion that he (Pope Francis) also viewed Joseph Ratzinger as an evil, immoral man.
Peter Seewald acknowledged that Pope Francis heaped tremendous praise upon Joseph Ratzinger.
Interviewer: "In your latest book, Benedict's Legacy, you quote the words of praise that Francis had for his predecessor. He praised him as a "great pope": "Great for the strength of his intelligence, his contribution to theology, great for his love for the Church and for people, great for his virtues and his faith.
Peter Seewald: I was very moved by that."
That brings us to my earlier vital question? What vile technique does Peter Seewald employ to justify his statements against Pope Francis?
Answer: Peter Seewald is forced to attribute evil to Pope Francis. Peter Seewald is forced to portray Pope Francis as a liar.
Peter Seewald, contrary to Church teaching, must trample Pope Francis' good name. Peter Seewald, after having acknowledge Pope Francis' positive assessment of Pope Benedict XVI, declared:
"Today, however, one must ask oneself whether Bergoglio's confessions were just lip service, or even smokescreens."
Okay. Got it. Pope Francis was two-faced in regard to his public praise of Joseph Ratzinger. The respect, brotherly love, as well as numerous friendly visits that Pope Francis had for/with Joseph Ratzinger were fake.
That is what I am compelled to believe should I wish to throw in with Peter Seewald.
Well, I will remain with Pope Francis.
Pax.
Mark Thomas
Father McDonald, I wish please to clarify the following:
Father McDonald said...... Pope Francis' letter about Ratzinger using immoral methods to enforce Church doctrine has clearly set him off...
I replied, "Pope Francis did not say that. Not even close."
Father McDonald, I apologize if my "not even close" comment seemed harsh...or akin to a zinger. I did not mean that.
Thank you.
Pax.
Mark Thomas
Post a Comment