Ad Tuendam Fidem, Ad Tuendam Fidem… Wherefore Art Thou ?
JOHN PAUL II
Apostolic Letter Motu Proprio
AD TUENDAM FIDEM,
by which certain norms are inserted
into the Code of Canon Law
and into the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches
PROTECT THE FAITH of the Catholic Church against errors arising from certain members of the Christian faithful, especially from among those dedicated to the various disciplines of sacred theology, we, whose principal duty is to confirm the brethren in the faith (Lk 22:32), consider it absolutely necessary to add to the existing texts of the Code of Canon Law and the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches, new norms which expressly impose the obligation of upholding truths proposed in a definitive way by the Magisterium of the Church, and which also establish related canonical sanctions.
1.From the first centuries to the present day, the Church has professed the truths of her faith in Christ and the mystery of his redemption. These truths were subsequently gathered into the Symbols of the faith, today known and proclaimed in common by the faithful in the solemn and festive celebration of Mass as the Apostles’ Creed or the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed.
This same Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed is contained in the Profession of faith developed by the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith,(1) which must be made by specific members of the faithful when they receive an office, that is directly or indirectly related to deeper investigation into the truths of faith and morals, or is united to a particular power in the governance of the Church.(2)
2. The Profession of faith, which appropriately begins with the Nicene-Constantinopolitan Creed, contains three propositions or paragraphs intended to describe the truths of the Catholic faith, which the Church, in the course of time and under the guidance of the Holy Spirit “who will teach the whole truth” (Jn 16:13), has ever more deeply explored and will continue to explore.(3)
The first paragraph states: “With firm faith, I also believe everything contained in the word of God, whether written or handed down in Tradition, which the Church either by a solemn judgment or by the ordinary and universal Magisterium sets forth to be believed as divinely revealed.”(4) This paragraph appropriately confirms and is provided for in the Church’s universal legislation, in canon 750 of the Code of Canon Law(5) and canon 598 of the Code of the Canons of the Eastern Churches.(6)
The third paragraph states: “Moreover I adhere with submission of will and intellect to the teachings which either the Roman Pontiff or the College of Bishops enunciate when they exercise their authentic Magisterium, even if they do not intend to proclaim these teachings by a definitive act.”(7) This paragraph has its corresponding legislative expression in canon 752 of the Code of Canon Law(8) and canon 599 of the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches.(9)
3. The second paragraph, however, which states “I also firmly accept and hold each and everything definitively proposed by the Church regarding teaching on faith and morals,”(10) has no corresponding canon in the Codes of the Catholic Church. This second paragraph of the Profession of faith is of utmost importance since it refers to truths that are necessarily connected to divine revelation. These truths, in the investigation of Catholic doctrine, illustrate the Divine Spirit’s particular inspiration for the Church’s deeper understanding of a truth concerning faith and morals, with which they are connected either for historical reasons or by a logical relationship.
4. Moved therefore by this need, and after careful deliberation, we have decided to overcome this lacuna in the universal law in the following way:
A) Canon 750 of the Code of Canon Law will now consist of two paragraphs; the first will present the text of the existing canon; the second will contain a new text. Thus, canon 750, in its complete form, will read:
Canon 750 – § 1. Those things are to be believed by divine and catholic faith which are contained in the word of God as it has been written or handed down by tradition, that is, in the single deposit of faith entrusted to the Church, and which are at the same time proposed as divinely revealed either by the solemn Magisterium of the Church, or by its ordinary and universal Magisterium, which in fact is manifested by the common adherence of Christ’s faithful under the guidance of the sacred Magisterium. All are therefore bound to avoid any contrary doctrines.
§ 2. Furthermore, each and everything set forth definitively by the Magisterium of the Church regarding teaching on faith and morals must be firmly accepted and held; namely, those things required for the holy keeping and faithful exposition of the deposit of faith; therefore, anyone who rejects propositions which are to be held definitively sets himself against the teaching of the Catholic Church.
Canon 1371, n. 1 of the Code of Canon Law, consequently, will receive an appropriate reference to canon 750 § 2, so that it will now read:
Canon 1371 – The following are to be punished with a just penalty:
1° a person who, apart from the case mentioned in canon 1364 § 1, teaches a doctrine condemned by the Roman Pontiff, or by an Ecumenical Council, or obstinately rejects the teachings mentioned in canon 750 § 2 or in canon 752 and, when warned by the Apostolic See or by the Ordinary, does not retract;
2° a person who in any other way does not obey the lawful command or prohibition of the Apostolic See or the Ordinary or Superior and, after being warned, persists in disobedience.
B) Canon 598 of the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches will now have two paragraphs: the first will present the text of the existing canon and the second will contain a new text. Thus canon 598, in its complete form, will read as follows:
Canon 598 – § 1. Those things are to be believed by divine and catholic faith which are contained in the word of God as it has been written or handed down by tradition, that is, in the single deposit of faith entrusted to the Church, and which are at the same time proposed as divinely revealed either by the solemn Magisterium of the Church, or by its ordinary and universal Magisterium, which in fact is manifested by the common adherence of Christ’s faithful under the guidance of the sacred Magisterium. All Christian faithful are therefore bound to avoid any contrary doctrines.
§ 2. Furthermore, each and everything set forth definitively by the Magisterium of the Church regarding teaching on faith and morals must be firmly accepted and held; namely, those things required for the holy keeping and faithful exposition of the deposit of faith; therefore, anyone who rejects propositions which are to be held definitively sets himself against the teaching of the Catholic Church.
Canon 1436 § 2 of the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches, consequently, will receive an appropriate reference to canon 598 § 2, so that it will now read:
Canon 1436 – § 1. Whoever denies a truth which must be believed with divine and catholic faith, or who calls into doubt, or who totally repudiates the Christian faith, and does not retract after having been legitimately warned, is to be punished as a heretic or an apostate with a major excommunication; a cleric moreover can be punished with other penalties, not excluding deposition.
§ 2. In addition to these cases, whoever obstinately rejects a teaching that the Roman Pontiff or the College of Bishops, exercising the authentic Magisterium, have set forth to be held definitively, or who affirms what they have condemned as erroneous, and does not retract after having been legitimately warned, is to be punished with an appropriate penalty.
5. We order that everything decreed by us in this Apostolic Letter, given motu proprio, be established and ratified, and we prescribe that the insertions listed above be introduced into the universal legislation of the Catholic Church, that is, into the Code of Canon Law and into the Code of Canons of the Eastern Churches, all things to the contrary notwithstanding.
Given in Rome, at St Peter’s, on 18 May, in the year 1998, the twentieth of our Pontificate.
JOHN PAUL II
Read document at source here, including footnotes.
Comment:
Here we have a clear sign that Pope John Paul II wished Canon Law to be enforced against dissenters, heretics and apostates. The above Motu Proprio spells it out clearly: reject Catholic truths and you set yourself against the teaching of the Catholic Church – we are, one and all, to avoid any contrary doctrines. Yet, Pope John Paul II himself did not apply it. Odd.
So, what happened? Why was it never invoked? Or, did I miss it? Whatever, is there any offender (or a million) at the present time, to whom, one might think, the penalties might be applied, which Pope John Paul II inserted to strengthen Canon Law against dissenters, heretics and apostates? Only asking, not least because Ad tuendam fidem seems to have disappeared into thin air, which is why we ask: Ad tuendam fidem, Ad tuendam fidem… wherefore art thou, Romeo, Ad tuendam fidem ?
Comments (36)
Well, blow me – guess who’s a candidate for the application of Ad tuendam fidem? Go on, give up – you’ll never guess!
If this hadn’t arrived in my inbox, I’d never have guessed… 😀
Who else? C’mon… it can’t be THAT difficult…
What about the Edinburgh priest who ran that scandalous late night agony uncle phone in show on the east coast every Saturday night into Sunday morning?
He used to refer people to the gay switchboard, encouraged abortions and I remember reading that he even congratulated a couple who were living together on the birth of their child!
I’ve just Googled Edinburgh priest, agony uncle, to get his name – Father Andy Monaghan
https://www.dailyrecord.co.uk/news/scottish-news/forth-2-radio-presenter-priest-4824929
If he’s not a candidate, who is?
Laura,
Fr (Call me Andy) Monaghan is one of the priests who featured often in our early newsletters and we wrote separately to the then Archbishop, later Cardinal, O’Brien to ask him to discipline this priest. Always, excuses, excuses, excuses – in fact, the Cardinal defended him even in the face of a public rebuke from the Vatican. All recorded in the newsletter, over time.
So, yes, he’s definitely one priest who should be disciplined, better late than never. But don’t hold your breath…
I think the priest in Cambuslang who openly supports TIE in schools, is a definite candidate for Ad tuendam fidem. He should have been disciplined long ago.
Michaela,
You refer to Father Paul Morton, Parish Priest of St Bride’s Cambuslang, who has worked with the LGBT “Time for Inclusive Education” (TIE) lobby to promote LGBT rights in schools in Scotland.
I agree. Were the bishops faithful to Canon Law and the additions inserted via Ad tuendam fidem, he would have been disciplined long ago.
Having engaged in extended email correspondence with his Bishop, Joseph Toal of Motherwell, I can tell you that that ain’t gonna happen – believe me.
I’d like to see all the Irish politicians of the last few years, including the former President Mary McAleese excommunicated. They have publicly gone against the Church’s teaching on morality and in McAleese’s case, also on women’s ordination.
The reasons why the bishops don’t do this, IMHO, is because they also should be excommunicated! Half the time they agree with these politicians. The Church is really and truly the suffering Mystical Body of Christ in our times. It’s very sad.
Josephine,
Your list is my list! Added to which I would include all pro-abortion “Catholic” politicians in the UK.
Your final paragraph – spot on.
I think every pro-abortion politician should be excommunicated, not just refused Holy Communion.
Am I right in saying that only Archbishop Lefebvre and his four bishops have been excommunicated throughout this whole period of crisis, post-Vatican II?
Fidelis,
I think some dissenters have been excommunicated since V2, but often these are set aside, like the Call to Action people in America, when they said they did accept all Church teaching.
Margaret Mary,
Thank you for that information. I did go searching and found on Wikileaks that quite a few excommunications had been doled out but most were later taken back. I saw that Call to Action one but I don’t believe they gave up their dissent. There’s a group of the same name in England https://acalltoaction.org.uk/
They use code, but I think it’s likely that they are dissenters, and if so, they should be reminded about Ad tuendam fidem!
Fidelis,
I didn’t know there was a Call to Action group in the UK – WOW! Thanks for that. Will study the link later. Like, maybe, 2021, the way things are going!
https://i.pinimg.com/736x/3d/58/48/3d58483d23d5e7f29d106c9aad63fe24.jpg
Gosh, I looked back now, a couple of hours after posting my question and still no answer! I’m beginning to see why you have decided to close the blog, Editor. I thought this would be a quick way to get the answer to my question but I think I’ll go search to see if I can find the answer myself. I know some folk will say I should have done that to begin with, LOL! Touché!
Fidelis,
” I’m beginning to see why you have decided to close the blog, Editor.”
Well, like Brexit, there’s no guarantee it will happen after all, but the less said for now, the soonest mended, she said mysteriously 😀
Interesting….. Could this be the REAL reason for the historic visit to the UAE?
http://leozagami.com/2019/02/04/the-pope-chrislam-and-the-ai-takeover-begin-today-in-the-united-arab-emirates/?fbclid=IwAR1ijrLx9TIBzf3j1Fw3eS81whHtsg5hFn4puNwWeY8kbdo0tK27uCK2-Jo
Pat McKay,
I am not sure I go for all the stuff about artificial intelligence, but I found the video, the part at the start showing the drive to the palace, with the soldiers carrying flags alongside, quite remarkable. I copied the video on YouTube
https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=117&v=EENouo7weDU
What surprises me is that the Moslem believe they are the one true religion so they won’t be keen on the idea of religious liberty. I wonder if they’ll tell him that, put a spoke in his wheel, LOL!
MM.
I’ve taken a peek at the “drive” and, as you say, it makes remarkable viewing. Chilling, is the word that springs to my mind, actually. Chilling. Sub-Zero temperatures, truth be told…
Excellent final point.
Pat
I have a feeling you’re hinting that Papa Francis should be excommunicated, but that takes us to a whole new level of Ad tuendam fidem… WAY above my pay grade 😀
The plot thickens….PF says religious pluralism is “willed by God” — and calls Christians and Muslims to enter the “ark of fraternity”….!
https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/popes-claim-that-god-wills-many-religions-seems-to-overturn-gospel-church-h?fbclid=IwAR3efKQZKtLVL_aiEACKNbBmVomMzBrRkb6oPILJZR-IJcEQ3rTxo7w7d8o
Pat,
Shocking in the extreme.
I can see it all now.
Before long we’ll have both sides assuring us we ‘have to go down the Chrislam road’ in order to achieve world peace and prevent further terrorist atrocities, such as Sept. 11th.
There’s more.
https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/muslim-converts-to-pope-francis-if-islam-is-a-good-religion
Ooops, try this link
https://www.lifesitenews.com/news/muslim-converts-to-pope-francis-if-islam-is-a-good-religion…as-you-seem-t?fbclid=IwAR1ubA5-Dl6EQnOe0IC4USYVuQCQW8F3lJq10FjLA5PozOlBBetUUp_s9jk
Sorry, still no good. Best to visit the lifesitenews website and read it there.
Editor: that doesn’t work either – this report seems to have disappeared, or at least the link; it’s possible to read the report, just not copy the link. Below is the text of the actual article:
FROM LIFESITENEWS…
Muslim converts to Pope Francis: ‘If Islam is a good religion…as you seem to teach, why did we become Catholic?’
January 16, 2018 (LifeSiteNews) – Muslims who have converted to Catholicism have penned an open letter to Pope Francis challenging him on his attitude towards and preaching on Islam.
“If Islam is a good religion in itself, as you seem to teach, why did we become Catholic?” the converts ask Francis in the letter. “Do not your words question the soundness of the choice we made at the risk of our lives?”
The letter continued to gain signatures over the weekend, approaching 3,700 by Monday afternoon.
The letter asks the Pope frank questions on the hot-button issues of Islam and immigration, questions that posed at great risk to those doing the asking. Sharia law forbids conversion by Muslims to other faiths and it is considered by many Muslim countries to be a crime punishable by death.
The letter came after years of attempts by the letter’s promoters to communicate with Pope Francis on the subject, organizers say. It was originally composed in French and posted Christmas Day, first with just 10 signatures at the outset. Those behind the letter aim to present it to Pope Francis when it reaches a significant number of signatures.
The signatories consist of former Muslims and their friends who have connected via social networks for associations that support ex-Muslims or evangelization of Muslims.
Organizers are not commenting on how many Muslim converts to Catholicism have signed the letter, though they say the names of the ex-Muslim signatories and the associations to which they belong would be revealed to the Pope only, in the event he should ask.
“As we said in the presentation of our letter,” they said in a statement provided to LifeSiteNews, “the ex-Muslims, in general, knowing themselves condemned to death by Islam, avoid making themselves known.”
The letter’s organizers told LifeSiteNews it is “a deep mystery” to them why Pope Francis is so accommodating to Islam.
They are not ready to leave the Catholic Church over Francis’ approach to Islam, they say.
Instead, “We will continue to suffer and ask God’s forgiveness for him, hoping again for a pope according to His heart.”
Everyone has a stake in this
The open letter is available online for “former Muslims who became Catholics and their friends” to sign. It differs in this respect from the “Correctio filialis” published last fall, which is signed by some 250 Catholic clergy and scholars charging the pope with propagating heresies about “marriage, the moral life, and the reception of the sacraments.”
“We believe that it is not necessary to be a recognized theologian to recognize the demonic nature of Islam,” a representative of the group of former Muslims told LifeSiteNews, “but that anyone of a sense, without even having faith, can understand that [one] cannot serve both the Church and Islam.”
The letter asks the Pope specifically about his teaching on Islam in Evangelii Gaudium (paragraphs 252 and 253), in which Francis writes in part, that “authentic Islam and the proper reading of the Koran are opposed to every form of violence.”
“You do not like to beat around the bush,” the letter writers say, “and neither do we, so allow us to say frankly that we do not understand your teaching about Islam.”
“Because it does not account for the fact that Islam came after Christ, and so is, and can only be, an Antichrist,” they continue (see 1 John 2:22), “and one of the most dangerous because it presents itself as the fulfillment of Revelation (of which Jesus would have been only a prophet).”
‘Catholic violence?’
The letter also takes issue with Francis’s controversial comments comparing Islamic violence with individual violent acts committed by some Catholics.
The Pope made the statements on the papal plane in August 2016 in answer to a journalist’s inquiry as to why he never speaks of Islamic violence. The journalist’s question came in the wake of the brutal murder of French priest Father Jacques Hamel – who was beheaded in the name of Islam as he celebrated Mass.
The Pope had said in reply, “I don’t like to speak of Islamic violence, because every day, when I browse the newspapers, I see violence, here in Italy … this one who has murdered his girlfriend, another who has murdered the mother-in-law … and these are baptized Catholics! There are violent Catholics! If I speak of Islamic violence, I must speak of Catholic violence.”
“Islam prescribes death for apostates (Quran 4.89, 8.7-11), do you know?” the former Muslims ask in their letter to Pope Francis. “How is it possible to compare Islamic violence with so-called Christian violence?”
They know of what they speak
“In accordance with His teaching (Luke 14:26), we preferred Him, the Christ, to our own life,” they add. “Are we not in a good position to talk to you about Islam?”
Citing the Qur’an, they illustrate that Islam seeks to make an enemy of all and declares that Christians “are only impurity” and that Allah must exterminate them.
The Catholic converts also entreat Francis to not be deceived by the Quranic verses that are considered tolerant, because they say the verses are annulled by the Verse of the Sword (Qur’an 9.5).
“Where the Gospel proclaims the good news of Jesus’ death and resurrection for the salvation of all, and the fulfillment of the Covenant initiated with the Hebrews,” they tell Francis, “Allah has nothing to offer but war and murder of the ‘infidels’ in exchange for his paradise.”
“In fact,” they state, “as long as Islam wants us to be its enemy, we are, and all our protestations of friendship cannot change anything.”
They clarify that they do not confuse Islam with Muslims, but they also stress that, “naiveté in the face of Islam is suicidal and very dangerous.”
The letter signatories ask Pope Francis about his January 20, 2014, remarks for World Migrants and Refugees Day, in which he encouraged a primarily Muslim audience to find hope in the Qur’an.
“That the Pope seems to propose the Quran as a way of salvation, is that not cause for worry?” they ask. “Should we return to Islam?”
Partnering with those who deny Christ is king
The Catholic converts also beg Francis in the letter not to seek an ally in Islam for fighting totalitarian forces in the world, because of the shared rejection of the kingship of Christ (Luke 4:7) with those forces.
They acknowledge the temptation to speak in a conciliatory tone in hopes of averting suffering for Christians in countries that have become more Muslim. But, they said, such a temptation must be avoided: “Jesus has never indicated any other way than that of the Cross, and “that only the proclamation of the truth brings with it not only salvation, but freedom as well.”
The letter signatories take on Francis’ strident call for migrants to be welcomed, when other leaders will qualify their immigration stances with some limits.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip and others have asked their countrymen not to integrate into their host countries, and Saudi Arabia and other oil monarchies do not take refugees, they point out in the letter to him.
And these occur, they tell Francis, as various Islamic organizations have proclaimed the conquest and Islamization of Europe for decades, “While you, Most Holy Father, preach the welcoming of migrants regardless of the fact that they are Muslims.”
This is forbidden by apostolic command, the Catholic converts say, citing 2 John 1:10-11: “If anyone comes to you but refuses this Gospel, do not receive him among you nor greet him. Whoever greets him participates in his evil works.”
“Just as ‘For I was hungry, and you gave me no food.” (Mt 25:42) cannot mean that Jesus would have liked to be a parasite,’ they continue, “so ‘I was a stranger and you welcomed Me’ cannot mean ‘I was an invader and you welcomed Me,’ but rather ‘I needed your hospitality for a while, and you granted it to me.'”
The Bible is without mention of welcoming a foreigner who would keep his religion and its customs, the letter signers point out.
“Also, we do not understand that you are pleading for Muslims to practice their religion in Europe,” the tell Francis. “The meaning of Scripture should not be supplied by the proponents of globalism, but in fidelity to Tradition. The Good Shepherd hunts the wolf, He does not let it enter the sheepfold.”
A shared concern
The group of converts to Catholicism behind the letter is not alone in expressing concerns about Francis’ commendation for Islam. After the Pope’s comments equating individual instances of violence committed by specific Catholics with “Islamic violence,” Catholic author William Kilpatrick queried in a Crisis magazine column, “Is the Pope doing more harm than good by continuing to deny—in the face of a mountain of evidence—that Islam has anything to do with violence?”
Christendom College co-founder Jeffrey Mirus said Francis had reflexively adopted popular secular language to smear those who take Christianity seriously.
“It is exactly the sort of speech that undermines the Petrine ministry,” Mirrus said. “Our Lord prayed for Peter so that he could confirm his brothers in their faith (Luke 22:32), not so that he could throw them under the bus.”
Writing about Francis having been lauded by various Muslim leaders as a defender of Islam, Catholic Islam expert Robert Spencer referenced him as “The Pope of Islam.”
“Pope Francis is not only disastrously wrongheaded about an obvious fact that is reinforced by every day’s headlines,” Spencer said, “he is also deceiving and misleading his people about a matter of utmost importance, and keeping them ignorant and complacent about a growing and advancing threat.”
Complacency towards Islam is treasonous
The open letter from the Catholic converts to Pope Francis warns in detail of impending danger from Islamization, stating, “This is a matter of life and death, and any complacency towards Islam is treasonous. We do not wish the West to continue with Islamization, nor that your actions contribute to it.
Where then would we go to seek refuge?”
The former Muslims ask the Holy Father to convene a synod on the dangers of Islam, addressing the state of the Church in areas where Islam has gained prominence.
“In the interest of justice and truth, the Church must bring to light why the arguments put forward by Islam to blaspheme the Christian faith are false,” the letter’s signatories say. “If the Church had the courage to do that, we do not doubt that millions, Muslims as well as other men and women seeking the true God, would convert.”
See the full text of the letter here. (Laura has posted the link to the original letter below.)
I think this will work – it’s the link to the original letter given at Lifesitenews
http://exmusulmanschretiens.fr/en/
Laura & Pat,
Thank you for that link (well, the one that opens, anyway) because that letter from convert Muslims is a real rebuke to Papa Francis.
Amazingly, only today I was discussing with a friend, whether or not Muslims in this country or in the west generally, would be allowed to convert (I mean, without being punished by their own families).
That’s two very interesting pieces of information given on the blog after I was involved in lunchtime discussions with a friend (see the Church Authority/Medjugorje thread) so maybe, instead of excusing myself from social events because I’m so busy, I really ought to go out to lunch more often… like, every day, since it’ll save me time in the long run! 😀
When you consider the pathetic crop of unworthy men who populate the hierarchy, you are forced to the conclusion that there seems to be a serious, even mortal defect in the way bishops are appointed, and also elevated to the Cardinalate. Are these candidates actually examined, or are they just the beneficiaries of intense lobbying by special interest groups in the hierarchy/clergy? The Lavender Mafia lobbies for its “man,” the Freemasons for theirs, the Communists for theirs, the ecumaniacs for theirs, the embezzlers for theirs….and certainly there’s much overlap among all these cabals.
It seems to me that a rigorous examination of faith should be required for anyone being considered for acceptance into the Apostolic succession. Rigorous, not perfunctory; deeply challenging, not a list of check-boxes. In fact, something like what the old canonization process was, before JPII ruined it.
Speaking of JPII, it would be interesting to investigate how many in the hierarchy currently embroiled in scandals were appointed/elevated by him.
RCA Victor,
“It seems to me that a rigorous examination of faith should be required for anyone being considered for acceptance into the Apostolic succession. “
I couldn’t agree more, and I’m sure that was the case at one time, but not now. I think they’re just picked on the recommendation of other bishops – the blind leading the blind!
RCA Victor,
“…there seems to be a serious, even mortal defect in the way bishops are appointed.”
Too true there is a defect, mortal, as you say – they don’t consult me ! Nor moi !
Seriously, your final point is one for the history books. You put your finger on a key aspect of the problem: what Pope John Paul II was good at, no great at, was producing documents. Ad tuendam fidem is one such treasure, as is Veritatis Splendor, where he instructed the bishops to toe the moral line and, among other things, remove the word “Catholic” from any institution which either failed to deliver Catholicism or openly attacked it, thus causing immense scandal. The school system springs to mind.
What he was NOT so great at – indeed, what he admitted openly in his final book – was that he failed to act against dissenters himself. Murmured something like he should have been more firm with them, blah blah, and I do mean “blah blah”.
So, excellent final point. On the button, as ever.
Editor,
I believe the failure to discipline dissent is one of the hallmarks of Vat. II, started by Paul VI, who took John XXIII’s baloney about “mercy” to heart and decided that all that was needed to correct dissent was a written document re-stating the truth. No disciplinary action required! Clergy and theologians will recant on their own, because, after all, modern man, with all his new-found “dignity,” has outgrown all that archaic discipline!
And people wonder why we have anarchy in the Church….
Editor: I’ve no idea why this comment went into moderation. The wonders of WordPress yet again! Apologies.
RCA Victor,
I completely agree – there is no authoritative voice in the Church at all today, the pope and bishops just think if they write a document or make a public statement, just re-stating Church teaching, that’s all that is required. I totally agree with you there. It’s an excuse though, it’s really moral cowardice, to stop them becoming unpopular with the liberal elite. They know they are already unpopular with real Catholics.
I found this list of bishops appointed by JP II. Cupich (now Cardinal) and Mahony (now disgraced) are the first ones that caught my eye. I’m sure the bloggers will know about others.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Bishops_appointed_by_Pope_John_Paul_II
RCA Victor,
Unfortunately, I haven’t had time to study the list but will do so in due course.
It’s all go, here in the fast lane 😀
Another interesting piece of data: according to this list, “Bishops by appointing Pope,” JP II appointed 28 during his long pontificate; Francis has already appointed 40! Talk about stacking the hierarchy with poison….
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Bishops_by_appointing_pope
RCA Victor,
Well, Pope JP II is famous (?infamous) for his record number of canonisations so as long as Francis doesn’t try to outdo him on that front, that’ll be something. Not much, but something 😀
More questions Pope Francis will NEVER answer
Wash the feet of Muslims ——–yes please
Answer honest questions———no chance
https://remnantnewspaper.com/web/index.php/headline-news-around-the-world/item/4323-media-coalition-pope-must-clarify-lbgt-position
“Please, please,” said the high voice of a wooly lamb, who was so young that everyone was surprised he dared to speak at all.
“What is it now? said the Ape, “Be quick.”
“Please,” said the Lamb. “I can’t understand. What have we to do with the Calormenes? We belong to Aslan. They belong to Tash. They have a god called Tash. They say he has four arms and the head of a vulture. They kill Men on his altar. I don’t believe there’s any such person as Tash. But if there was, how could Aslan be friends with him?”
All the animals cocked their heads sideways and all their bright eyes flashed toward the Ape. They knew it was the best question anyone had asked yet.
The Ape jumped up and spat at the Lamb.
“Baby!” he hissed. “Silly little bleater! Go home to your mother and drink milk. What do you understand of such things? But you others listen. Tash is only another name for Aslan. All that old idea of us being right and the Calormenes wrong is silly. We know better now. The Calormenes use different words but we all mean the same thing. Tash and Aslan are only two different names for you know Who. That’s why there can never be any quarrel between them. Get that into your heads, you stupid brutes. Tash is Aslan: Aslan is Tash.”
You know how sad your own dog’s face can look sometimes. Think of that and then think of the faces of all those Talking Beasts–all those honest, humble, bewildered birds, bears, badgers, rabbits, moles, and mice–all far sadder than that. Every tail was down, every whisker drooped. It would have broken your heart to see their faces.
— C.S.Lewis “The Last Battle”
That was very prophetic that book.
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