Cardinal John Henry Newman expert Fr. John Hunwicke says:
"I suggest that Jorge Bergoglio's formal refusal to respond to the Five Dubia constituted a formal entry into a period of Temporary Suspense of the function of his Petrine Magisterium."
(Liturgical Notes, "Suspense of the Magisterium," November 25, 2016)
Hunwicke gets this from Cardinal Newman which means there is a temporary "cessation of the Magisterial teaching or office during a 'suspense.'"
Liturgical Notes, "The temporary suspense of the Ecclesia Dozens," February 26, 2018)
Newman saw the Suspense of the Magisterium during the "Arian controversy, in which the great majority of the Bishops... including the Successor of S Peter, were either heretics or were cowed into silence" according to Hunwicke.
The Newman expert by this means that the Arian compromised pope and bishops as well as Pope Francis and those who follow him into error "lost their function" temporarily, but not their papal or episcopal office as Sedevacantists would hold who claim that there hasn't been a pope since Pope Pius XII.
In the above article Hunwicke asks:
"During a 'suspense', does the episcopal ministry of those bishops who are heterodox on just one point still call for religiosum obsequium [religious submission or assent] on other matters?"
One of the greatest saints in history St. Athanasius gives us an answer to the question.
Athanasius fought the Arian heretic bishops tooth and nail on matters other than the Arian heresy.
How does this apply to us in our current crisis?
In the Hunwicke's "Temporary Suspense" post, a well-known blog commenter Fr. VF, who I know knows canon law (and spelling) very well, gave us a battle tactic in the Liturgical Notes comment section:
"Since 2004, the American bishops have repeatedly approved a document, 'Catholics in Political Life,' which declares that a bishop may 'legitimately' give Communion to pro-abortion politicians."
"I.e., the bishops have nullified canon 915. Canon 915 exists precisely because the thing it prohibits is grave matter."
"I.e., the bishops have voted themselves permission to commit mortal sin!"
"Surely, the teaching function of such bishops is "'in suspense'!"
Canon 915 says:
Catholics who "obstinately persist in manifest grave sin, are not to be admitted to Holy Communion."
What does this mean to the laity and ordinary good faithful priests and bishops?
Laity must first pray for God's grace as well as wisdom and then they can demand that priests and bishops who still have the Catholic faith refuse to give Communion to heterodox bishops, cardinals and popes.
I am sure the greatest Catholic hero of orthodoxy St. Athanasius never gave Communion to Arian bishops.
How does this apply to us in our current crisis?
In the Hunwicke's "Temporary Suspense" post, a well-known blog commenter Fr. VF, who I know knows canon law (and spelling) very well, gave us a battle tactic in the Liturgical Notes comment section:
"Since 2004, the American bishops have repeatedly approved a document, 'Catholics in Political Life,' which declares that a bishop may 'legitimately' give Communion to pro-abortion politicians."
"I.e., the bishops have nullified canon 915. Canon 915 exists precisely because the thing it prohibits is grave matter."
"I.e., the bishops have voted themselves permission to commit mortal sin!"
"Surely, the teaching function of such bishops is "'in suspense'!"
Canon 915 says:
Catholics who "obstinately persist in manifest grave sin, are not to be admitted to Holy Communion."
What does this mean to the laity and ordinary good faithful priests and bishops?
Laity must first pray for God's grace as well as wisdom and then they can demand that priests and bishops who still have the Catholic faith refuse to give Communion to heterodox bishops, cardinals and popes.
I am sure the greatest Catholic hero of orthodoxy St. Athanasius never gave Communion to Arian bishops.
Pray an Our Father now for the restoration of the Church.