August 28, 2018 (Steven O’Reilly) – Yesterday, Roma Locuta Est published an article (All roads lead to Rome – to Francis and Benedict) suggesting what is obvious to all – to all but Pope Francis apparently. That is, Pope Francis needs to answer the allegations of Archbishop Vigano (see here). It being clear – in fact explicitly stated by Pope Francis – that he will not answer any questions on the matter of Vigano’s claims; the next best option is to ask the Pope Emeritus, Benedict XVI, who would certainly have knowledge of some of Vigano’s claims, if they are true. While we still await a detailed response from Benedict to questions arising from Vigano’s testimony – there are now reports that Benedict has in fact corroborated the essential element of Vigano’s account, i.e., that as pope, Benedict XVI had put in place secret or private penalties upon Theodore McCarrick for his homosexual abuse of seminarians (see here).
The proverbial noose continues to be tighten around Pope Francis. It would be comforting to know that at this moment of great crisis that Francis would be the sort to consider the good of the Church and resign. However, a man such as Francis – so cynical and morally crass as to avail himself of the counsel of an evil man like Theodore McCarrick to aid in creating a Church to overturn the Sixth Commandment – is hardly one with the virtue, humility and grace to surrender the papacy voluntarily. Therefore, I believe it will be necessary to pursue additional options against Pope Francis. Here I am speaking of the long awaited, but elusive “formal correction” (see here). Now is the moment to bring the formal correction forward, just as bishops are beginning to find themselves and their backbones – showing signs of remembering their responsibilities as successors of the Apostles in calling for an investigation of Archbishop Vigano’s accusations against the Pope. Let any investigation now also examine potential charges of heresy over the confusion caused by Amoris Laetitia (see Summa Contra Stephen Walford and Why the Case of Pope Honorius Matters, Mr. Alt) and the death penalty (More Papal Confusion: Footnoting Francis throws his predecessors under the bus). In addition to these, there are – in my opinion -additional lingering and nagging questions about Francis’ orthodoxy which predate his election (see here), as well as a question about dispensation from his Jesuit vows (see here). Without a thorough accounting demanded of Pope Francis – of his actions and beliefs, I do not believe Francis will go quietly into the night. And, at this moment of great crisis for the Catholic Church, in the immortal words of Cardinal Tobin, we need to say to Francis: “nighty night, baby.”
Steven O’Reilly is a graduate of the University of Dallas and the Georgia Institute of Technology. He is married to Margaret O’Reilly. He lives near Atlanta with his family. He has written apologetic articles and is working on a historical-adventure trilogy, set during the time of the Arian crisis. He asks for your prayers for his intentions. He can be contacted at StevenOReilly@AOL.com (or follow on Twitter: @S_OReilly_USA).
Roma Locuta Est 
Send in the Swiss Guard!
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Linda, ha! There’s a suggestion.
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Problem is, only GOD can “depose” any Pope or Anti-Pope. At least, that’s what I was raised to believe.
Still, “’tis a consummation devoutly to be wish’d.”
HEY HEY HO HO FRANKENPOPE HAS GOT TO GO!!!
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Steven, thanks for the comment. What appears to be an open question is whether a pope, should he fall into formal heresy, would in effect, depose himself so to speak. My understanding is, historically, the common opinion has/had been this was a theoretical possibility. Bellarmine was of the opinion it was not possible – but he still discussed the potential procedure of what might happen if it did happen. I think the “formal correction” over the Dubia/Amoris Laetitia – and perhaps questions over the Death Penalty – might test that hypothetical. We are in uncharted waters.
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People really need to be careful about judging the Pope (any Pope). We can’t possibly know all the facts and circumstances regarding the Pope Francis’ decisions. And he doesn’t owe any of us an explanation for his decisions. We do not have authority over him – it’s the other way around.
I don’t know about you, but I believe the Pope is chosen by God. And instead of thinking God made an awful mistake, I think about why He chose Pope Francis to lead His Church. One reason that comes to mind is to challenge conservative Catholics. Can we be faithful to the Church and Her Magisterium even if it is lead by a liberal Pope? Or have we let conservatism become our faith? It seems many are failing the test.
Rather than calling for the Pope’s resignation or his being deposed, we should trust in Jesus! We should trust that He continues to guide His Church, with the Vicar of His choosing. And the Pope probably will resign – just not on your schedule.
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Thanks Matthew for your comments. Certainly, no man has authority over the pope on this earth, so yes, no one can judge him. I don’t think anyone is doing this in a juridical sense. We all have common sense. In my opinion, the pope should resign owing to what the evidence suggests – he used an evil, corrupter of seminarians (McCarrick) as a valued adviser in making episcopal appointments, and in the care care and governance of the Lord’s Church. Each day goes by, his moral authority declines. I believe he is harming the reputation of the Chair of St. Peter each moment he sits upon it. I think we will have to agree to disagree: you think he should stay, I think he needs to “go.” Either way, thank you for reading the article and expressing your viewpoint.
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Don’t forget his repeated claims that there is no hell and the soul of the damned is annihilated.
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Thanks, John for the comment. Without a doubt….Pope Francis has some serious “splaining” to do on a whole lot of topics.
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Synod of Sutri, part two.
Other precedents also.
With so many questions about the validity of resignation and election, an investigation is called for. Benedict resigned free and yet it was because if the wolves (Francis being one).
His heresies are much weightier than these few and a trial is in order only when they are not pertinacious and notorious. Not the case here. He has been corrected more than twice and moved ahead anyways. Unlike the questionable words and deeds of his predecessors, concerning Francis I have no doubt, with a deep knowledge of what he has done, said , and not said.
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Thanks for the comments, JR. I am definitely for a process that examines and “corrects” Francis, and more if necessary.
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Israel was “the people of God” in the Old Testament. All the types of the Old Testament refer to Christ, fulfilling all ancient prophecies. The Church is God’s chosen people in the New Testament; she is the bride of Christ, and as such recapitulates in history the life of Christ. We know that the Church is now undergoing her agony and passion.
I see parallels with the corrupt Cardinals of the Vatican and the Old Testament Sanhedrin. Not all in either group were corrupt, however the decisions of the majority held sway. I look at the disastrous papacy of Pope Francis, and am reminded of Annas / Caiphas in his judgements.
The contemporary passion of the Church began with persecutions of Christians in the middle east and Africa; soon the Crucifixion will begin with active persecution of European and New World Catholics. We are assured that the true church will endure to the end of the world, though it be only a remnant; which will survive, and rebuild society before the final Anti-Christ who will be destroyed– along with death and the devil– at Christ’s second coming in glory.
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Thanks, Adrian, for the comments.
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