Roma Locuta Est

January 22, 2023 (Steven O’Reilly) – Since December 2023, Roma Locuta Est has observed with close attention the activities and pontifications of Br. Alexis Bugnolo regarding the “conclave” he is organizing to elect the “successor” of Benedict XVI. Even before the passing of Benedict XVI, Bugnolo was already laying the groundwork for this “conclave.”

Given the authoritative weightiness and pretentiousness of Bugnolo’s canonical creations and declarations — such as declaring the College of Cardinals ipso facto excommunicated (see The Tome of Alexis Bugnolo), Roma Locuta Est thought it best to give Latin titles to Bugnolo’s articles/’motu proprios.’ Thus, for example, Bugnolo’s “rules and regulations” for the conclave became Regulas Ordinationes (see Pope Bugnolo I?). This seems to have been right and proper, especially given that Bugnolo appears likely to submit his records to the Apostolic Library after his “conclave” elects of the new “pope.” So, the reader may well understand why it is that from the moment of Bugnolo’s promulgation of Regulas Ordinationes, Roma Locuta Est has closely followed the developments from Rome as they were released by Bugnolo. One may read Roma Locuta Est‘s reportage on this bit of history in making in our series of articles on the topic:

1. Pope Bugnolo I?
2. The Tome of Alexis Bugnolo
3. Bugnolo is “absolutely certain” there will be a new pope within next 30 days?
4. Br. Bugnolo’s ‘Urbi et Orbi’ and the tragicomedy which Benepapism has become
5. Bugnolo’s Date with Destiny

Earlier today, RLE published its fifth article in this series, Bugnolo’s Date with Destiny.  This article documented what we called the arrival of Bugnolo’s “Date with Destiny“, i.e., the 21st day following Benedict XVI’s death on which, according to Bugnolo, the right to elect a pope had been forfeited by the College of Cardinals, and now belonged to the faithful of Rome alone. In addition, Bugnolo announced his urgent need to raise $60,000 by Monday, January 23, to rent the venue for his conclave. As of Saturday morning, it appears he had raised only $2,000.  As a significant a sum as this $60,000 may appear, only a few days earlier, Bugnolo had announced he would need over a half million dollars USD for publicity to inform the 6,000 clergy, and 4 million Catholics of Rome of the impending “conclave”  — and invite them to participate in it.

Given the historical import of the moment, and of the events that lay before us — as well as the humorous entertainment value of it all; Roma Locuta Est had hoped to continue bringing its readers regular updates on Bugnolo’s activities leading up to the conclave. But, alas, this is not to be.  It appears, Bugnolo has opted for “radio silence” with regard to the conclave he is organizing, at least until it has elected its “pope.” Tonight, there came this disappointing announcement from Bugnolo (emphasis added):

FromRome.Info will not publish articles or comments about the activity of Catholics at Rome in regard to the election of Pope Benedict XVI’s successor. This is to avoid any claim of conflict of interest or attempt to influence that election.

The next report by FromRome.info will regard the election itself, after it concludes, and contain an announcement by Br. Bugnolo as regards the conduct of the election and results. Catholics, Scholars, and Canonists will then be allowed to examine the evidence and interview Br. Bugnolo to know how the election was organized and conducted. The documents regarding this will be conserved in an archive, open to public inspection, and God willing one day be donated to the Apostolic Library.

Finally, Br. Bugnolo wants all to know, that he will not cast a vote during the election, so as to avoid any charge of bias.

(Source:  Br. Alexis Bugnolo, PUBLIC NOTICE TO THE READERS OF FROMROME.INFO, January 22, 2023)

It is not clear why Bugnolo has opted for radio silence. I certainly hope it was not Roma Locuta Est‘s tongue-in-cheek coverage of Bugnolo’s conclave planning. Regardless, aside from being disappointed at this news, we here at Roma Locuta Est were somewhat astounded as to how, precisely, Bugnolo can rent a $60,000 venue, and publicize his conclave to the 6,000 clergy and 4 million Catholics of Rome[1] without providing any report of it on his blog. Are those who have donated money to Bugnolo not to be kept abreast of how their money is being used?  Are they not to be informed as to where the conclave is to be held? Are they not to be informed as to what alternative websites or news organizations might provide updates to them on efforts to spread the word to the clergy and faithul of Rome about Bugnolo’s conclave?  In sum, it is all rather odd. But, oh well. Like I opined before, it seems most likely the election will be held at the cappucino bar around the corner from Bugnolo’s flat.

It is strange that Bugnolo keeps on telling us he will “not cast a vote during the election” to avoid any “charge of bias.”  It is not clear why he believes there can be any basis for such an accusation, since presumably, the “electors” are casting secret ballots. Odd, but, it seems to me the electors will be moved and touched by this seeming act of Bugnolo’s “humility” and “humbleness.” Surely they understand that by now, since Bugnolo keeps telling them repeatedly. In my opinion, these oft repeated displays of “humbleness” can only redound to the benefit of Bugnolo’s chances in the “conclave.”

Indeed, already in the first of Roma Locuta Est’s series on Bugnolo’s aspirations to organize a papal conclave, I opined in jest that Bugnolo should be considered to be among the leading papabili. However, in the weeks since that first tonque-in-cheek prognostication, I am more convinced that Bugnolo should be considered the leading papabile. Consider, while he has exhibited “humbleness” in saying he won’t vote in the election, he has not issue any Sherman-esque denial that he would not accept the papacy if elected.  Hmmmm.

But, there is much to recommend Bugnolo to the Benepapist electors. After all, Bugnolo “established” the canonical/theological ‘basis’ for this “conclave,” he has set its rules and regulations, determined the requirements for who can and cannot be an elector, published prayers for the election of his new Benepapist pope, he has issued a “warning” to the College of Cardinals, and he has taken it upon himself to begin organizing a venue, publicity, etc. No detail has escaped his attention — accept, perhaps, explaining who will ordain or consecrate the elected “pope” if he is not already a priest or bishop. But let us no quibble here over that detail.

The important thing is, with such talent and skills, and evident ‘humbleness,’ it must be considered not only possible, but probable, that if such a “conclave” should ever come to pass, that the electors” — sitting over cappucinos and cornetti — will eagerly turn their weary, and highly caffeinated eyes to Br. Alexis Bugnolo as their choice of pope.

Given Bugnolo’s announcement of radio silence until the election is done, the Benepapists of Rome, and the rest of the world, will not know where to look for that puff of white smoke. Who knows. But perhaps it might just be that white puff of smoke from the dryer exhaust vent from the roof of Bugnolo’s apartment building which provides the sign of his election.  Indeed, it appears Bugnolo will be the first Benepapist “pope”, i.e., antipope.  It may just be a matter of days before we know for sure!

Final Thoughts

Again, as I’ve noted a few times in the series on Bugnolo’s pontifications, there is some unintentional humor to be found in his writings. But, though I jest above and call attention to some of the absurdities, the unfolding of events is actually sad and tragic. Otherwise sincere Catholics have been led into error by the arch-Benepapists (Alexis Bugnolo, Ann Barnhardt, Estefania Acosta, Patrick Coffin, etc), who ought to know better. Let us pray they see the absurdity of the end point to which they are currently on course.

We at Roma Locuta Esthas have not been ‘fans’ of Pope Francis in the least. We’ve criticized the Francis-apologists, and problems we have seen with this pontificate (e.g., Abu Dhabi, Pachamama, etc., etc.), and have even explored the oddities surrounding the conclave in great detail (see The Conclave Chronicles).  Roma Locuta Est first looked into the “Benedict is still pope” theory hoping there might be something to it.  However, it soon became clear the main theories offered by the likes of Bugnolo, Barnhardt, Cionci, Acosta, et al., do not work.  It is clear Benedict XVI withdrew his will from being pope. Whatever the answer or explanation is to the last ten years of this pontificate, the authority to render any answer will come from the Church, and not from Br. Bugnolo, and company.  It will come in God’s time from a future pope and or council.

For those Catholics following the topic of Benepapism, or who have been tempted by it; Roma Locuta Est has various resources which debunk the false and spurious claims of the Benepapists (see Summa Contra the BiP Theory (Why Benedict XVI is NOT the pope), and The Case against those who claim “Benedict is (still) pope”).  Also, my book which rebuts Benepapism was recently published (see Valid?  The Resignation of Pope Benedict XVI).

Steven O’Reilly is a graduate of the University of Dallas and the Georgia Institute of Technology. A former intelligence officer, he and his wife, Margaret, live near Atlanta. He has written apologetic articles, and is author of Book I of the Pia Fidelis trilogy, The Two Kingdoms; and of Valid? The Resignation of Pope Benedict XVI. (Follow on twitter at @fidelispia for updates). He asks for your prayers for his intentions.  He can be contacted at StevenOReilly@AOL.com  or StevenOReilly@ProtonMail.com (or follow on Twitter: @S_OReilly_USA or on GETTR, TruthSocial, or Gab: @StevenOReilly).

Note:

[1]  Br. Bugnolo had once provided a rough estimate of the cost to publicize the conclave to the 6,000 clergy, and 4 million Catholics of Rome. He roughly estimated it would cost 500,000 euros, which is equivalent to more than half million dollars USD.