Traditionis Custodes: Francis fuels the battle. Ecclesial Communion is in danger
The Pope signs a Rescriptum contradicting what he wrote in 2021.
No desire for reconciliation or to diminish tension. Francis continues his ideological battle against all those who have a sensibility different from his own. Guiding him in these choices that seriously undermine the communion between Rome and the traditional realities are the prelates Arthur Roche and Francis Victor Viola.
With a Rescriptum Ex Audientia Ss.mi, the Pontiff this morning ordered an ‘implementation of his Motu Proprio Traditionis custodes’. A very questionable way of legislating is the one used by Jorge Mario Bergoglio. Yet, as we have pointed out in quite a few other situations, Francis uses Rescripta at will and signs hundreds of them.
At the same time, as emerged in the London trial, he very often forgets the rescripts he has previously signed and the Church becomes a circus. The papal authority, which Francis likes to exercise in a despotic manner, thus becomes less and less ‘divine’ and more attackable by those who do not agree with what is done by the Pontiff himself.
The Rescriptum, obtained by Roche, says: “the use of a parish church or the erection of a personal parish for the celebration of the Eucharist using the Missale Romanum of 1962 and the granting of a licence to presbyters ordained after the publication of Motu proprio Traditionis custodes to celebrate with the Missale Romanum of 1962” is reserved to the decision of the Apostolic See.
The Pope, therefore, contradicts what he said in the Motu Proprio Traditionis Custodes of 16 July 2021. In fact, in the text of the Motu Proprio he wrote: The diocesan bishop “is to designate one or more locations where the faithful adherents of these groups may gather for the eucharistic celebration (not however in the parochial churches and without the erection of new personal parishes)” and “Priests ordained after the publication of the present Motu Proprio, who wish to celebrate using the Missale Romanum of 1962, should submit a formal request to the diocesan Bishop who shall consult the Apostolic See before granting this authorization”.
Let us not forget that in recent months many bishops have adapted to apply the provisions of the Motu Proprio and have acted according to this clear dictate. Today, with this Rescript, Francis says: “Should a diocesan bishop have granted dispensations in the two cases mentioned above, he is obliged to inform the Dicastery for Divine Worship and the Discipline of the Sacraments, which will evaluate the individual cases”. In essence, we are starting from scratch? Once again, therefore, the bishops are deprived of their power of governance over their dioceses and their decisions are trampled on by Rome. Francis spoke of Synodality, Listening, Collegiality. In practice, though?
Finally, from a canonical point of view, questions arise. The Rescript speaks of ‘integration’ not ‘abrogation’. Does the Pontiff want to amend a Motu Proprio with a Rescript? There is also a hierarchy of sources. A certain coherence would also be necessary. If I write on 16 July 2021 that it is the bishop’s duty, can I, after only a year and a half, cut everything to the ground and start from scratch? Francis continues to be contemptuous of the law.
Bergoglio said he was concerned about unity, concord and peace. Can we spend words for world peace when we do not even promote that peace in our Church?
R.I.
Silere non possum
