Francis: The Pope We Need

Patheos ^ | NOVEMBER 9, 2019 | MONSIGNOR ERIC BARR, STL

[fproy2222]

The Radical Traditionalists and Francis Derangement Syndrome

The RadTrad Heresy grows exponentially with its Jansenistic emphasis on the pernicious nature of the human spirit, its legalism, its deep suspicion of human sexuality, and its hatred of the Pope. It has chosen as its spokespersons the three musketeers of clericalism: Cardinal Raymond Burke, Archbishop Vigano, and Bishop Athanasius Schneider–all three of whom criticize the Pope non-stop to the point of opposing him openly. The RadTrad’s Francis Derangement Syndrome is worth exploring and the insights we glean will tell us why Francis is the Pope we need for our times.

The growth of the RadTrad Heresy runs parallel to the focus of Francis’ pontificate. Remember the dour man from Argentina elected to the papacy? He was not known as a smiling ecclesiastic and, in fact, often appeared as a typical frowning cleric. That all changed once he took the name of Francis. Suddenly as Pope, he seemed to drop years of age and become a laughing, smiling pontiff with a focus on mercy not judgment. Francis Derangement Syndrome began the day he said, “Who am I to judge?” in answer to a question on homosexuality. The opposition took shape in the Year of Mercy 2016, when the pontiff declared that the Church would emphasize mercy over judgment.

[Amendment10]

"Francis Derangement Syndrome began the day he said, “Who am I to judge?” [???] in answer to a question on homosexuality."

The Holy Bible shows that G-d clearly condemns same-sex sexual relationships, Luke 17:29 and Romans 1:25-27 for example.

[Lee N. Field]

I am not Catholic, but this is the first pro Pope Francis I have seen.

It may be the "silo" that we pay attention to. (Which is to say, we get a skewed view of the world by seeking out and preferentially viewing what information sources we agree with.)

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

It is from Patheos.

Your one stop shopping for all heresy all the time.

[caver]

I’m not Catholic and find this extremely hard to read.

[Harmless Teddy Bear]

That is because he is using ten dollar words when five cent ones would work.

This is done for two reasons, first to confuse you as to what he is trying to say, the second is to make you feel small and stupid if you have to look up "Jansenism" to realize that he is calling them Calvinists.

[caver]

“That is because he is using ten dollar words when five cent ones would work.”

Exactly!

I understand the higher level vocabulary, but I’m not impressed when there is no reason for it.

[jmacusa]

Yes he did. He created an entire division of Bosnian, Albanian and Kosovar Muslims, the 13th. SS Handschar (Handsword) Division.

[LukeL]

Which is why I hate it when the same types insert Latin jargon into an article that is meant for lay people.

[Bigg Red]

I am a Catholic, and I say this author should be ashamed of his position. Bergoglio is a false pope and should step down. I pray regularly that the Holy Spirit will cleanse His Church.

[Bigg Red]

Well said.

[mosesdapoet]

You wrote; “I’m a Catholic. And this grinning idiot of a pope ought to thrown in the Tiber. He has single handily embarked on a mission to destroy the church. His accommodation of Muslims and this recent pagan idol worship service at the Vatican were beyond insulting. It was blasphemous.”

What should be done ?

[Mrs. Don-o]

Thank you, LW, for your reasonable response. (It's refreshing).

You are 100% correct that it's the cardinals in the 2013 conclave who chose Bergoglio to be pope.

The Holy Spirit is invoked to guide the election, but He does not control it in a direct, executive manner that would either control the electors' votes or constrain the free will of the man who is elected.

It's like you prayed to marry the right man. That doesn't guarantee that you would subsequently actually listen to the Holy Spirit, nor that the Holy Spirit would turn your sweetie into a ventriloquist's dummy, always saying and doing the right thing.

But it has been a topic of hot controversy amongst talky and thinky Catholics just how much the cardinals knew about the Argentinian candidate.

Apparently in the early 2000's, Pope John Paul II made a law saying that "politicking" before, during or after a papal conclave would nullify the results of their election.

My general impression (and I'm neither a gossip nor an insider) is that the really good Cardinals tended to over-comply, to the extent that they avoided any talk about this-or-that man's faults and failings. Meanwhile the really bad cardinals, who consider themselves "above the law", were campaigning like crazy.

There are tales of the now-laicized Cardinal (now "Mr.) Ted McCarrick prowling around the Termini with fat envelopes full of euros. And McCarrick is known to have been an early, active Bergoglio supporter.

Campaign manager,so to speak.

[Mrs. Don-o]

I'm pretty sure FReeper Catholic would consider the posted article a contemptible piece of trash.

And that's putting it politely.

[Bigg Red]

You are a dear lady.

[Bigg Red]

Well said, as always.

[LibertyWoman]

Is there anything that can be done by the Church to remove him? Has that ever happened?

[jmacusa]

He should be removed by the Vatican and a new pope installed. One who gets rid of the hand clapping, guitar playing rainbow flag waving Father Flapdoodle stuff needs to go. And no to homosexuality as being ‘’normal’’ and adheres to the Gospels as they were written down and preached by Jesus Christ..

[hinckley buzzard]

The critics are beginning to hit home and have an effect, so the Vatican is mounting a defense and counteroffensive. Francis continues to deconstruct the Holy Church one brick at a time.

[hinckley buzzard]

Please supply a link or a reference for your allegations. I do not doubt them but want confirmation beyond being able to say “I read it on the internet.”

[Mrs. Don-o]

That's --- uh --- complicated. On the one hand, Canon Law says that anyone who commits a mortal sin (meaning a deliberate, serious sin you knew full well was wrong) is automatically deposed from any church office. On the other hand, you can appeal an excommunication. Since the pope is basically the court of final appeal, there's no way you can convict him, finally, under canon law, and make it stick.

Since a pope can only be judged by another pope, I reckon that would mean:

• A past pope.That could only be B16 escaping his handlers, jumping spryly over a wall in the Vatican Gardens, and finding his voice

• The present pope. Pope Francis could see the light, repent his sin, convict himself of heresy, and depose himself. That has actually happened: Pp Marcellinus, regnal years 296-304.

• A future pope. This has historic precedent, too. I'd have to check my list, but I think this happened to Pp Liberius, whose heresy was opposed by St. Athanasius; Pp Zosimus (ally of the heretic Pelagian); Pp Vigilius; Pp Boniface VI.

Best bet is probably that Bergoglio's successor convicts him posthumously of heresy and nullifies all (or, selectively, many) of his official acts.

Better yet, perhaps, would be: Christ comes again.

No matter which way it goes, it is not going to be easy. I would argue it's going to ge a lot worse before it gets better. Faithfulness in the midst of the most subtle and perplexing warfare imaginable, is going to be very difficult. But absolutely necessary.

Let us pray.