Here’s the moneybyte:
What is striking, in all of the first statements of the new pope, is the happy naturalness with which he continually appeals to the tradition of the Church through great authors who are witnesses to it: from Ignatius of Antioch to Ephrem the Syrian, Isaac of Nineveh, Symeon the New Theologian, Benedict of Nursia, Leo the Great, and repeatedly to “his” Augustine. Brief references, but not affected, rather all of them relevant for their pertinence to the themes that the pope was touching on. These patristic references are accompanied by the constant one to the magisterium of the modern popes, in particular Leo XIII and Francis.
It is precisely to this last fact that I would like to draw attention. This could easily be interpreted either as evidence of the new pope’s substantial continuity with his predecessor, from whom he would be distinguished only on the surface, due to obvious and expected differences in temperament; or, on the contrary, as a mere tactical and instrumental expedient, aimed at preventing and easing possible hostile reactions toward a papacy that would be effecting with discretion a substantial rupture with the so-called “Church of Francis.”
I believe that both approaches are wrong. What Pope Leo has expressed, in every act and word of his during these first weeks of his pontificate, is nothing other than the authentically Catholic conception of tradition.
One fundamental factor of safety in the new pontificate seems already to be a given, based on the experience of these first weeks. Unlike his predecessor, Leo will not give us cause to fear that he will play the pope “as he sees fit.” He made this clear from the beginning, when, referring to a phrase of Ignatius of Antioch (but echoing reflections that Benedict XVI had also made in his time), he defined “an indispensable commitment for all those in the Church who exercise a ministry of authority. It is to move aside so that Christ may remain, to make oneself small so that he may be known and glorified, to spend oneself to the utmost so that all may have the opportunity to know and love him.”
7 comments:
"It is in this sense that I would hazard to predict that the style of his pontificate will be Ratzingerian and patristic."
That sounds great to me.
The bottom line is that holy Pope Leo XIV will teach, govern, and sanctify us in continuity with Popes Francis, Benedict XVI...all the way back to Saint Peter.
As Pope (Emeritus) Benedict XVI had declared in regard to Pontificate, as well as Pope Francis' Pontificate, there was not any opposition between said Pontificates.
Temperaments and emphases differ among Popes. But there is wonderful continuity as our holy Popes have always held the One True Faith.
God has blessed us in monumental fashion via His gift to us in Pope Leo XIV.
Pax.
Mark Thomas
MT Suit,
In your own words, please explain Ratzgerian and patristic. Thank you!
With Father McDonald's permission:
Father, I believe that including today, Big Pulpit (bigpulpit.com) has, for
the seventh time during the past couple of weeks, disseminated threads, including comments, that you have posted to your blog.
Father, you have an important blog.
Pax.
Mark Thomas
Yikes 😳
MT Suit,
Have you prepared your Ratzgerian and Patristic analysis?
MT Suit,
Other than cut and paste, do you think at all?
Do you actually read and absorb Father McDonald’s criticisms of Pope Francis?
Do you support the evil Borgia popes merely because they wore the Tiara?
TJM,
Why ask questions of one who never answers them, much less using an iota of critical thinking?
Nick
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