Replies

Name for me one Saint, Athanasius isn't one, who died unreconciled to the Church?

Yes, I read the CE entry for Joan of Arc. However, you left off the next sentence:

The illegality of the former proceedings was made clear, and it speaks well for the sincerity of this new inquiry that it could not be made without inflicting some degree of reproach upon both the King of France and the Church at large, seeing that so great an injustice had been done and had so long been suffered to continue unredressed.

Although the injustice was addressed after her death, it appears that she died unreconciled to the Church. Not a proud moment in Church history. And although with hindsight it was acknowledged that the former proceedings were illegal, I'm sure had some FReepers on these threads been there, they would have joined the Bishop of Beauvais and the Vicar of the Inquisition in lighting the match because the "prudential" judgment of the Bishop and Vicar are to be accepted without question. Unfortunately for Joan, no one questioned their judgment while she was alive.

Although the injustice was addressed after her death, it appears that she died unreconciled to the Church.

Not really, she died unreconciled with a Bishop and a branch of the Church. The Pope had no role in it, directly contrary to the role the Pope had with respect to Archbishop Lefebvre. The local churches and bishops are subject to canon law, and there is a very good argument that their trial of Joan in violation of canon law was a nullity. (well, since the Church ruled that way, its better than a good argument, its true.)

Had Archbishop Lefebvre been excommunicated by the Bishop of Hawaii, for example, or a French Cardinal, he would have the same types of arguments, as these individuals are subject to the Pope AND subject to canon law. This is not true for an excommunication issued by the Pope.

Not a proud moment in Church history.

True.

And although with hindsight it was acknowledged that the former proceedings were illegal, I'm sure had some FReepers on these threads been there, they would have joined the Bishop of Beauvais and the Vicar of the Inquisition in lighting the match because the "prudential" judgment of the Bishop and Vicar are to be accepted without question.

Who is arguing that a prudential judgment of a Bishop is to be accepted without question?

Dominus Vobiscum

patent +AMDG