Post by cato on Nov 20, 2019 13:06:32 GMT
We have a thread on Pope Francis but I would like to discuss the pope specifically as he relates to conservatives and how conservatives react towards him. I read Maolsheachlann's recent post on this subject on the Irish Papist .I agree with some of what he says and disagree with other bits. It is useful exercise to discuss this momentous papacy in a calm , sober and charitable manner.
I am not a fan of this papacy. It is not a requirement of faith to be a cheer leader for a pope who now claims to have his own personal Magisterium. This is a novel , dangerous and egocentric claim. A pope does not own the teaching role. It is part of a gift given to the church to preserve her divine teaching. Politicising and personalising this mission may lead to the Magisterium becoming a political platform that changes according to what party is in power. So Pope Francis II will be contradicted by Pope Augustine I and he will be overturned by Pope Mary Ist!
Pope John Paul called for a discussion on the papacy in the 1990s so this us not disloyal or anti papal. Popes have modified their role by dropping titles and changing the papal style since Vatican II. Conservatives have a weak point in that they viewed the previous two papacies in particular as proof the church was repudiating the liberalism of the 1960s and 1970s. A possible liberal pope never entered their world view.
I have heard some conservatives defend Francis even when he is attacking them and contradicting the teaching of previous popes.
It appears to me the catholic teaching on the papal office is deficient at present. There are no limits on papal authority and no methods of challenging poor decisions or mismanagement. Traditionally the college of cardinals has the role of advising the pope but Francis , a great advocate of dialogue has only called all the Cardinals together on one occasion so far. Lest this be seen as an attack on the pope , there are no provisions to deal with a pope who may become senile or mentally ill . Sidelining the college of cardinals is a serious error in how the constitution of the church is implemented.
Conservatives traditionally supported an absolute monarchy style of papacy. Perhaps it is time for sensible limits on that authority ? The only absolute rulers in the world are now the dwindling band of Marxist rulers . Absolute power is too much for any human being. Even the pope.
More thoughts later.
I am not a fan of this papacy. It is not a requirement of faith to be a cheer leader for a pope who now claims to have his own personal Magisterium. This is a novel , dangerous and egocentric claim. A pope does not own the teaching role. It is part of a gift given to the church to preserve her divine teaching. Politicising and personalising this mission may lead to the Magisterium becoming a political platform that changes according to what party is in power. So Pope Francis II will be contradicted by Pope Augustine I and he will be overturned by Pope Mary Ist!
Pope John Paul called for a discussion on the papacy in the 1990s so this us not disloyal or anti papal. Popes have modified their role by dropping titles and changing the papal style since Vatican II. Conservatives have a weak point in that they viewed the previous two papacies in particular as proof the church was repudiating the liberalism of the 1960s and 1970s. A possible liberal pope never entered their world view.
I have heard some conservatives defend Francis even when he is attacking them and contradicting the teaching of previous popes.
It appears to me the catholic teaching on the papal office is deficient at present. There are no limits on papal authority and no methods of challenging poor decisions or mismanagement. Traditionally the college of cardinals has the role of advising the pope but Francis , a great advocate of dialogue has only called all the Cardinals together on one occasion so far. Lest this be seen as an attack on the pope , there are no provisions to deal with a pope who may become senile or mentally ill . Sidelining the college of cardinals is a serious error in how the constitution of the church is implemented.
Conservatives traditionally supported an absolute monarchy style of papacy. Perhaps it is time for sensible limits on that authority ? The only absolute rulers in the world are now the dwindling band of Marxist rulers . Absolute power is too much for any human being. Even the pope.
More thoughts later.
