Posted on 11/12/2014 4:47:52 PM PST by ebb tide
The Pope inasmuch as he is supreme pastor of the universal Church, has full right to remove a bishop or cardinal from his office, even a distinguished one. A well-known case was the one of Cardinal Louis Billot (1846-1931). He was one of the greatest theologians of the 20th Century, who replaced his cardinal’s hat into the hands of Pius XI, with whom he had had differences regarding Action Francaise, and ended his days, as a simple Jesuit, at the house of his order in Galloro.
Another striking case is Cardinal Josef Mindszenty, who was removed by Paul VI from his office as Archbishop of Esztergom and Primate of Hungary, as a result of his opposition to the Vatican ostpolitk.
Many bishops moreover, in recent years, have been dismissed as a result of their involvement with financial or moral scandals. However, while nobody can deny the right of the Sovereign Pontiff to dismiss any prelate, for reasons he retains the most opportune, nobody can take away the right the faithful have, as rational creatures, even before being “the baptized”, to question the reasons for these dismissals, particularly if they have not been explicitly stated. This explains the disorientation of many Catholics when faced with the news formally communicated by the Vatican Press on the 8th of November, about the transferring of Cardinal Raymond Leo Burke from his office of Prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura, to the position of Patron of the Order of Malta.
In fact, when the move concerns a Cardinal (as it is in this case) who is still relatively young (66 years old), and comes to pass from a position of maximum importance to another purely honorary, without even respect for the rather questionable principle promoveatur ut amoveatur, we find ourselves evidently faced with a public punishment. Yet, in this case it is legitimate to ask ourselves the nature of the accusations made against this prelate. Cardinal Burke, in effect, carried out his role in a commendable way as Prefect of the Supreme Tribunal of the Apostolic Signatura and is esteemed by everyone as an eminent canon lawyer and a man of deep interior life; he was recently defined by Benedict XVI as a “great cardinal”. What is he guilty of?
Vatican observers of the most diverse tendencies answered this question with clarity. Cardinal Burke has been considered guilty of being “too conservative” and in disagreement with Pope Francis.
After the wretched report by Cardinal Kasper at the Consistory of the 20th February 2014, the American Cardinal promoted the publication of a book wherein five respected cardinals and other scholars voiced their respectful reservations on the new Vatican line open to the hypothesis of allowing communion for the divorced and remarried along with the recognition of de facto unions. The concerns of these cardinals were confirmed by the Synod in October, when the most perilous theses, along orthodox lines, were even gathered into the synthesis of the works that preceded the final report.
The only plausible reason is that the Pope has offered the head of Cardinal Burke on a plate to Cardinal Kasper and, through him, to Cardinal Karl Lehmann, the ex-President of the German Episcopal Conference. Everyone knows, actually, at least in Germany, that the one who is still pulling the strings of dissent against Rome is precisely Lehmann, an old disciple of Karl Rahner. Father Ralph Wiltgen, in his book The Rhine Flows Into The Tiber, highlighted Rahner’s role in the Second Vatican Council from the moment the Episcopal Conferences carried out a determining role.
The Episcopal Conferences were dominated in fact by their theological experts and since among them the most powerful were the Germans, the role of their principal theologian, the Jesuit, Karl Rahner, was decisive. Father Wiltgen sums it up efficaciously, describing the power of the progressive lobby united in what he calls the “European Alliance”. “Since the position of the German Bishops was adopted by the European Alliance and again, given that the position of the Alliance was generally accepted by the Council, it was enough for one theologian alone to convince the German language Bishops of his personal ideas so that the Council would make them its own. This theologian existed: Father Karl Rahner of the Society of Jesus.”
Fifty years after Vatican II, Rahner’s shadow is hovering once again over the Catholic Church, making his voice heard in the pro-homosexual positions of some of his followers, younger than Lehmann and Kasper, like Cardinal Archbishop of Munich, Reinhard Marx and Archbishop of Chieti, Bruno Forte.
Pope Francis has made statements against the two tendencies of progressivism and traditionalism, without however clarifying what these two labels encompassed. Yet, if by words he distances himself from the two poles which confront each other in the Church today, by facts all tolerance is reserved for “progressivism”, while the axe falls upon what he defines as “traditionalism”.
The removal of Cardinal Burke has an exemplary significance comparable to the ongoing destruction of the Franciscans of the Immaculate. Many observers have attached the project of the Institute’s dissolution to Cardinal Bras de Aviz, but today it is clear to everyone that Pope Francis fully shares that decision. It is not about the matter of the Traditional Mass, which neither Cardinal Burke nor the Franciscans of the Immaculate celebrate regularly, but it is about their position of nonconformity to the dominant ecclesiastic politics of today. Then again the Pope entertained at length the representatives of the so-called “Popular Movements” of ultra-Marxist orientation, which gathered in Rome from 27th to 29th of October, plus he nominated consultant to the Pontifical Institute for Culture, an openly heterodox priest, a certain Father d’Ors.
We wonder what the consequences of these politics will be, keeping in mind two principles: the philosophical one of the heterogeneous of the ends, for which certain actions produce effects contrary to the intentions, and the theological principle of the action of Providence in history, through which, according to the words of St. Paul omnia cooperantur in bonum. (Rom 8.28). All things in the designs of God work for the good.
The cases of Cardinal Burke and the Franciscans of the Immaculate, like the one of the Society of Saint Pius X (although on a different level) are only signs of a widespread malaise which makes the Church look like a ship adrift. Yet even if the Society of St. Pius X were closed down, the Franciscans of the Immaculate dissolved or “re-educated” and Cardinal Burke reduced to silence, the crisis in the Church would not cease to be grave.
The Lord promised that the Barque of Peter will never sink not due to the skill of the helmsman, but because of the Divine assistance to the Church, which, can be said, lives amidst the tempests, without ever allowing Herself to be submerged by the waves (Matt. 8, 23-27; Mark 4, 35-41; Luke 8, 22-25).
Faithful Catholics are not discouraged: they close ranks, direct their eyes to the perennial and immutable Magisterium of the Church, which coincides with Tradition; they look for strength in the Sacraments, continue to pray and act, in the conviction that in the history of the Church, as in the life of men, the Lord intervenes only when everything appears lost. What is asked of us is not resigned inaction, but a confident struggle in the assurance of victory.
[Translation: Constributor Francesca Romana]
Ping
Without diving into Vatican p old it is too deeply, is it fair to say the pope is a thorough lib?
Politics. Darned phone
We, the Roman Catholic laity, are bulwarks of the mother church. The hierarchy comes and goes.
I have not been to mass in a very long time as I thoroughly disagree with Vatican II. As for what has happened recently, it just showcases the works of Satan, for the sodomites and communists are taking over the church. Damn them!
The Christian leader is Christ alone and I thank God that saved Christians can go directly to His throne of Grace in the heavenlies without a pope or a bishops approval, as the Scriptures teach.
Hebrews Chapter 4
1Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it.
2For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.
3For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world.
4For he spake in a certain place of the seventh day on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works.
5And in this place again, If they shall enter into my rest.
6Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief:
7Again, he limiteth a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts.
8For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day.
9There remaineth therefore a rest to the people of God.
10For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his.
11Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief.
12For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
13Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
14Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
15For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
16Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
The Pope is a thorough lib, but he is also not a very smart or well educated man, and like many such people, has a huge ego that is gratified by publicity. He is being manipulated by many people more leftist than he, and, strangely enough, has brought a lot of VII Golden Oldies back onto the stage. Many of them are actually already retired, but the VII Geezers’ Club of Theological Failures seems to be his go-to group.
Interestingly enough, he has two opponents: a few hyper-brilliant and hyper-learned people like Burke, and then the regular layfolk in the pews. Pope Francis was popular to begin with because he had a sort of warm and fuzzy approach, but now that the fangs have come out, many just average pewsitting people I know are way less enthusiastic and are actually very concerned about the Faith.
...and Cardinal O'Malley and Cardinal Wuerl and all the other limp-wristed American prelates Burke's uncompromising witness to Truth has put to shame.
Passionately, and at the same time vaguely. Open to various interpretations --- which makes some think, are these gaffes? Or deliberately crafted ambiguities?
This leaves people saying he's either a fool or a knave.
At the present moment --- still watching and listening --- I don't think it's as accurate to call him a liberal as to call him an enigma.
What ever happened to the good old “Bell, Book and Candle” process?
That's pretty harsh. Are you sure? I mean, he's fired a few bishops. All new CEO's clean house and bring in their own folks. Isn't that what's happening here?
What if Burke continues to criticize and speak out? I think he should.
Is the Pope going to muzzle him, threaten him with excommunication? Put him on the rack?
Grump, such talk is foolishness.
Some of Cardinal Burke's supporters are heaping on the victim rhetoric, but Burke himself has never characterized himself as either a victim or an opponent of Pope Francis.
Burke was head of the Apostolic Signatura. Nobody in that post since 1994 has served more than 6 years. He served 6 years. Everybody before him as reassigned as expected. And Burke was reassigned.
Burke himself has not complained --- not a word --- but again, his supporters, having wrapped him in the garb of gulag victim and martyr, are grousing that he was reassigned to a largely ceremonial post, as Patron of the Knights of Malta.
It may in fact be perfect for him. He spent six years as chief justice at the Signatura, writing scholarly judgments on Canon Law with 135 footnotes apiece, which bishops didn't feel the least obliged to honor or obey. Virtually the entire U.S. hierarchy is in open violation of his ruling on Canon 915 --- God only knows how deep in disobedience they are on his other rulings. There's not much point in wasting his prime years and energies toiling over canonical judgments that prelates will use as doorstops.
On the other hand, as Cardinal-Patron of the Knights of Malta, he is master of his daily agenda: his time is his own. He's unfettered from his desk like a galley-slave whose chains have been struck off. The Knights are influential movers 'n' shakers AND DONORS, and they can jet Burke all over the world to celebrate TLM Masses in Austria, to speak at a symposium in Poland, to keynote a conferences in Africa, to publish at Navarre, to rally the faithful in Peoria, to go wherever the Spirit listeth, and to emerge at peripheries as the voice of the Fear of the Lord.
Yes, prophets are at the peripheries (to use Pope Francis' favorite word) and not at Roman dicastery desks. Wittingly or unwittingly, Francis has set up Burke in the catbird's seat.
I personally think it might be "wittingly," --- but that depends on how long of a "long game" this pope is playing--- whether he's playing checkers or chess. The Holy Spirit unquestionably owns the long game.
I know it won’t happen but wouldn’t it be great if he resigned? As long as he remains pope he is doing nothing but causing great scandal in the Church and faithful Catholics that are trying to raise their children to be faithful Catholics are scratching their heads. Everything they were taught about Catholicism their entire lives is being turned upside down by Francis. He is causing discord in the Church not seen in years because he thinks he can pick and choose what Catholic doctrine to enforce while ignoring the rest. If Benedict or JP2 were Pope and a bishop came out and openly defied Church doctrine, which is defying Christ himself, his head would roll and he would no longer be a practicing priest, but less a bishop.
May I assume you did not sign the petition thanking Cardinal Burke for his service?
I don’t hear the Franciscans of the Immaculate characterizing themselves as opponents of Francis, either. But that doesn’t mean Francis’ brutal oppression of traditional Catholics isn’t obvious to all.
And how many of those above were removed from said post before they reached the age of 67? Is that in your little book of factoids (e.g. Mark Shea, perhaps)? How many were exiled to purely ceremonial posts?
Amen Brother!!
In other words, Francis' intention is to encourage Burke's particular brand of evangelization?
A side by side comparison between the truths explained in the book “Remaining in the Truth of Christ: Marriage and Communion in the Catholic Church” and Kasper's destructive, "serene theology" indicates quite the opposite. There is an indisputable conflict between Burke's fidelity to Christ and Kasper's attack upon Truth. Since Burke opposes a replacement of the current judicial process of the marriage tribunals with a rapid administrative process which increases the risk of error, while Kasper and the Pope are not opposed to destroying the integrity of the process in the name of "mercy", there is an unresolvable conflict. Burke's stance is in line with that of St. JPII, who said "...these people also have the right not to be deceived by a sentence of nullity which is in contrast to the existence of a true marriage. Such an unjust declaration of nullity would find no legitimate support in appealing to love or mercy, for love and mercy cannot put aside the demands of truth."
Burke's faithfulness to the perennial teachings of the Church earned him this slap-down from Francis. His demotion to the "periphery" is intended to lessen his influence by humiliating and marginalizing him. Such treatment of a faithful servant is shameful.
I suspect that at this point, those who continually attempt to minimize Francis’ open attacks on orthodoxy do so because they are in accord with his destructive ideology.
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