Francis’ reform: evangelisation before doctrine
With the new Apostolic Constitution “Praedicate Evangelium”, Francis intends to alter the Roman Curia, diminishing the importance both of the role of Secretary of State and the function of the Congregation of the Doctrine of the Faith (which will be re-entitled as a Dicastery), and will delegate to himself the control of the new Dicastery of Evangelisation, which will precede all others in order of importance. However, to consider evangelisation as a precedent to doctrine, not necessarily connected to it in any fundamental way, represents a serious problem.
Pfizer-Vatican connection
A mini-investigation by the National Catholic Register reveals private meetings in the Vatican of Pfizer's CEO, while the Secretary of State, Cardinal Parolin, singles out the Pfizer vaccine for exclusion from possible conscientious objection. This contradicts the famous Note of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith.
Bergoglio vs. Francis. A new concept of the papacy
Today the dominant Catholic theology holds that the Christian faith and the life of the Church is a historical process and that all life in the Spirit does not come from outside but passes through the concreteness of history. Remaining Bergoglio is therefore essential to being pope, because the papacy is not something that is "above" or "beyond" the man Bergoglio, but the Spirit opens up avenues of self-communication precisely from within that personal history.
And in Slovakia the Pope rehabilitates “gay” bishop
Pope Francis' visit to Slovakia ended with the rehabilitation in public opinion of the former bishop of Trnava, Robert Bezák, who was deposed by Benedict XVI in 2012 and also accused of having created a network of homosexual priests. Embarrassment at the Bishops' Conference.
Resignation and Pope Emeritus, another mess is brewing
A new Motu Proprio to regulate the "emeritus papacy", a canonical problem effectively left open by Benedict XVI, is expected soon. What according to his predecessor was to remain an exception, for Francis it would become an institution along with all the problems that this entails because by its very nature only one person can assume the title of “pope.” The proposed hypothesis of retirement at 85 would be a blow to the heart of the Petrine office.
McCarrick on trial, but it's not Benedict XVI's fault
Theodore McCarrick is to take the stand for pedophilia. He had already resigned as a cardinal in 2018, after Pope Francis suspended him from exercising any public ministry. It’s wrong to insinuate a sort of impunity guaranteed with previous pontificates. Here's why.
Latin mass thrown out along with Benedict XVI
With the Motu proprio that does away with the vetus ordo, Pope Francis erases Benedict XVI's effort to ensure the development of the Church in continuity with Tradition, to prevent the Second Vatican Council from being understood as a rupture.
Marx: farcical resignation in the footsteps of Luther
The path marked out by Cardinal Marx to support the German synod follows the route already taken by Luther, with its well-known results. And now that the Pope has rejected his resignation, his position in the German Church is strengthened.
Latin Mass, the Pope's clampdown: protests on the way
While a schism is underway in Germany, there are protests against the Latin Mass inside the Vatican. Rumours of a restrictive revision of Summorum Pontificum have filtered through the latest Italian Bishops' Conference assembly after the Pope's speech. Confirmations of this are coming from France. It would be a slap in the face of Benedict XVI who signed the motu proprio Summorum Pontificum, but behind the scenes tug-of-war is happening between the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith and the Vatican Secretariat of State. Faithful from well-formed groups supporting the Latin Mass stand ready to descend on Rome and for what would be a clamorous protest.
The Chinese martyrs will be our judges
Today the Church celebrates the 120 Chinese martyrs: bishops, priests, nuns, lay people. An awkward story for those today, who have overturned the values at stake to indicate compromise rather than martyrdom as a model. Moreover, what happens in the relationship between the Holy See and China concerns each one of us.
