Archbishop Giacomo Morandi, who was abruptly removed from his office as secretary of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith (CDF) earlier this week, is “widely believed responsible for a controversial document barring blessings for same-sex couples,” according to an Associated Press report.
Archbishop Morandi’s resignation was accepted in the same week that Pope Francis wrote a congratulatory letter to Sister Jeanne Gramick of New Ways Ministry, thanking her for her efforts to change attitudes toward homosexuality.
The archbishop, who has been moved out of Rome to head an Italian diocese, was also rumored to be unhappy with the move by Pope Francis to suppress the traditional Latin Mass.
The Vatican has not announced a replacement for Archbishop Morandi. The AP report notes that two prelates are listed as “adjunct secretary” to the CDF, and might ordinarily be viewed as candidates to become secretary. But one, the American Archbishop Augustine Di Noia, is 78 years old and overdue for retirement; moreover, he has been primarily responsible for negotiations with traditionalist groups, and that initiative is now clearly not a Vatican priority. The other, Archbishop Charles Scicluna, has other responsibilities as Archbishop of Malta; he has been the Vatican’s specialist in sex-abuse investigations.
The above comes from a Jan. 11 story on Catholic Culture.org.
It was a “shake-up” when he was appointed too.
The Internet will die without drama.
I have read a lot of news stories on this situation. Apparently, there are reports that the changes coming in the CDF, are a part of the reform of the Curia. It is increasingly difficult to trust our liberal pope and Curia. Will millions of us someday find ourselves no longer accepted as “Catholics,” according to a “new” Church– if the Catholic Church has plans to accept homosexual behavior and same-sex civil unions– or gay “marriage?” I do not see how this can possibly happen– it is theologically impossible! The other possibility is– could the Pope get deposed, or even excommunicated– for heresy? Final possibility– is a Church schism finally coming?
ummm…where exactly were these news stories that you read?
where exactly– These news stories are on all Catholic media. Try EWTN TV, EWTN Catholic News Agency, and National Catholic Register, for starters. They are good Catholic news sources. Plus, the Vatican itself has its own English language news sources, too. Many Catholics are not happy with the Pope and liberal bishops congratulating pro-homosexual Catholic clerics, as well as Sr. Jeannie Grammick. There is a lot of speculation regarding the reform of the Curia, and the CDF. The homoxexual problem and controversy in the Vatican, has been an issue for quite a long time, now. The two-year Synod on Synodality has been quite controversial, lately. Just read, you will see. Yes, homosexuality is a worry. What does it all mean? I don’t know.
Are you perhaps reading something into the stories that you read?
I am right now watching World Over Live, and they just covered the subject. Looks like the reassignment of Abp. Morandi might be more related to his objections to Traditionis Custodes.
My quotation marks for “World Over Live” and “Traditionis Custodes” were (again!) removed, when my post of Jan.13 at 5:53pm, was printed. Why?
Please don’t worry so much. God’s got this. Just pray.
If you don’t like how a Pope exercises his legitimate authority, the Church allows you to communicate to him directly.
“If you don’t like how a Pope exercises his legitimate authority, the Church allows you to communicate to him directly.”….what’s the turnaround time for responses to dubia?
There are more direct and discreet ways for a Cardinal of the Church to communicate directly to the Pope, Paul Bergeron. A cardinal has direct access to the pope. Writing a dubia and then publishing it to the whole world, would have been one of the last ways for a cardinal, a prince of the Church, to reach out to a pope. They needn’t write a dubia. I am sure those cardinals still living who wrote the dubia would have realized that by now.
“Writing a dubia and then publishing it to the whole world, would have been one of the last ways for a cardinal, a prince of the Church, to reach out to a pope.”….do you find that is particularly true if the “prince of the Church” is not considered “patriotic” if his home is ruled by the Chinese Communist Party?
Popes don’t get deposed or excommunicated because commenters on CCD don’t like them. You are making things up that have not even come close to happening, thus sowing doubt among Christians about their Church instead of building up their faith.
Really, there is no push by those in charge to favor the LGBT mafia,
just waiting… No. Catholic teaching is not subjective, based on personal likes/dislikes. It is based purely, objectively, on the holy teachings of Jesus Christ. All Truth lies in Christ Alone, Who is God, far above the poor, flawed and sinful human realm.
Final possibility– is a Church schism finally coming? its well on its way…
They conveniently congregate in trad communities
bohemond, the homosexual issue at the Vatican is quite controversial. That has seemed to increase, over time. The pope and many liberal bishops are quite confusing. What does it all mean? I don’t know.
@bohemod:
Schism is already here.
But what many think of as ‘the Church’ is really the schism, and the many who are thought of as ‘schismatic’ are really the Church.
Bp. Fulton Sheen foretold of it and St. Athanasius suffered a smaller version of it.
This is heresy.
This is not true but it is the belief of some Catholics who have left the Church and attend independent Chapels. They cannot admit that they left the Church so they just say something like “the Church left me.”
If you are in union with the Pope, even if you err, you are not a schismatic.
If you hold to every Catholic belief and practice and are not in union with the Pope, you are a schismatic. You can not trust the Pope, not like the Pope, be angry with the Pope, that does not make you schismatic. You acknowledge that he is the Pope and that he is the head of the Catholic Church. If you go to Mass at a parish that is not part of the Catholic Church, you are taking a great chance on being led into schism.
If you are attending a parish that is established by the local Catholic bishop or is part of the local diocese or has permission from the local bishop to say Mass, even if you disagree with some church teachings, you are not a schismatic. You are in error, though and should make every effort to conform your thoughts to the heart and mind of Christ as taught by the Catholic Church.
That is all true. Also, many people may be surprised to know, that the SSPX acknowledges the Pope as head of the Catholic Church, and also has a picture of him in all of their offices.
The beloved SSPX, apart from the sacraments of Reconciliation and nuptial Masses (thanks to Pope Francis), have no legal ministry in the Church.
Not surprised at all. The Church has done everything it can to get them to reconcile. The SSPX wants permission not to believe tenets of the Catholic Church, which the Church cannot permit. (Overly simple explanation)
I cannot understand how some branches of the Anglican Communion can announce acceptance of homosexual unions, on a strange “theological” basis, and even devise some sort of “gay marriage” ceremony. Maybe for the Anglicans, Marriage is not a Sacrament, as in the Catholic Church. I don’t know exactly what they believe. How can they bless gay unions, in the name of Jesus Christ? Or ordain gays, men and women, who may be involved in sinful gay sex unions? How can they disregard Biblical teaching? If they do this in some strange way, theologically– could our Pope and his liberal bishops be somehow following that same strange direction? On what basis? Seems impossible. Why doesn’t the Vatican consistently, publicly preach and endorse Chastity, and condemn acts of gay sex, as sinful? Why publicly praise those who promote and endorse sin? How about Chastity? I don’t know. Very confusing.
Loaded questions again from “What Will.” Presuming the worse of the Holy Father and the Catholic clergy.
New Ways Ministry and Sr. Jeannie Grammick were previously outlawed by Pope St. John Paul II, the CDF, Societies for Apostolic Life, Congregation for Institutes of Consecrated Life, etc., in the Vatican, and the USCCB. This is because of the wrongful promotion of the sinful gay lifestyle.
Well guess what, New Ways is still “outlawed”. The Pope’s thank-you letter, if there was indeed such a letter, doesn’t change that. Honestly people, and I mean this to caution you “What Will”, Our Lord was also attacked by the holier-than-thou Pharisees for being gracious to sinners. The Pope hasn’t changed any Church teaching by this gracious letter. But what the letter has revealed is the judgmentalism and accusatory attitude (just as the devil is accusatory) of the opponents of Our Lord’s own Vicar.
You are over-reacting, jon. You should try to see, that this pope now has a history of doing and saying some things that are inappropriate. For example, the Pachamama incident was a bad mistake. And failing to apply Canon Law restrictions to bad Catholic political leaders, who promote abortion. Decent people do not condemn the pope for his errors. Instead, they have good manners and simply express their concerns, hoping for the best. You, too, should express your concerns, while remaining a loyal Catholic. That is intelligent concern– not malicious criticism.
It is not the Pope who is “doing and saying some thing that are inappropriate.” It is you, “Intelligent Concern” who is saying inappropriate things about the Pope.
The weak of faith get troubled by things they see on the Internet. They judge the Pope, they malign the Pope.
They are not loyal Catholics yet, but they will get there if God gives them the grace and they do not reject it.
Just keep praying for them and for all Catholics because there are numerous things that become “stumbling blocks” for the “weak of faith.”
Blessed is he who finds no stumbling block in me. Matthew 11:6
All of Matthew 11 is good to read.
Pope Francis is one of the most hated men in the world today. Those who hate him most are not atheists, or protestants, or Muslims, but some of his own followers.
From The Guardian
It is extremely bad manners to “hate” anyone, also very immature. A true, mature Christian, hates no one– that’s ridiculous! For centuries, it has been said, that the Devil hates Christ and His Church. The Devil is also the enemy of the Pope. Also, there have always been many enemies of our Faith who have killed Christians, throughout the centuries. Many nartyrs have become Saints. Christ’s true, mature, authentic followers, hate no one. Hatred is of the Devil, and very immature.
A mature Christian is strong in his or her faith, and will put questions of concern to any Church leaders who seem to publicly express any beliefs contrary to our Faith. For example, the “Dubia” was addressed to the pope, by the four Cardinals. That is the mature thing to do. It is totally wrong, and extremely immature, exhibiting weakness of faith and morals, to merely be a “yes-man/woman” to any religious leader, even if that leader publicly says or does something wrong. Many “yes-men/women” are liars to Christ and follow powerful religious leaders for self-gain. Some do it because they are insecure and immature.
Stop worrying.
Are you praying? Making sacrifices? Morning offering? Rosary? Chaplet of Mercy? Fulfilling your duties and obeying God’s laws?
Do all you can and then leave the rest to God.
It is His Church.
Don’t get so into the news. It changes every day.
You cannot run a good Catholic home, register at a parish church, and place your children safely in the parish school, if the Church has sudden changes, and teaches and preaches a false acceptability of the LGBTQ “lifestyle,” with false teachings on the Catholic holy Sacrament of Marriage. Very scary, if some Catholic teachers contract gay civil unions or gay “marriages,” and some gay priests are “accepted” if they have gay lovers. And what if a gay priest molests a child or teen? Sr. Jeannie Grammick, and her immoral group, are a very great danger to our Church!
Sister Jeannie Grammick has been a strong promoter of gay “marriage,” women’s ordination, and abortion. She has, in the past, before Pope Francis’ pontificate, been repeatedly reprimanded by the CDF and Vatican, for her work, as a nun– and told to stop, which she refused to do. Now the Pope has been praising her. Condemning those clerics such as Abp. Lefebvre– who was excommunicated– and the SSPX, and reprimanding their love of the old Latin Mass– while praising clerics like Fr. James Martin, S.J. and nuns like Sister Jeannie Grammick.
My post of Jan. 15 at 2:32 pm was edited. I meant to say that it does not help Church unity, to praise immoral nuns and priests– while condemning the old Latin Mass, and reprimanding Catholics who love the Tridentine Latin Mass.
My post of Jan. 15 at 2:32 pm was edited. I meant to say, that it does no good, to promote a false kind of Church unity, by inappropriately praising and supporting immoral nuns and priests– while reprimanding old Latin Mass lovers, and severely restricting the old Latin Mass.
The pope is guaranteed by Christ never to fail in faith and never to lead the Church astray.
“The pope is guaranteed by Christ never to fail in faith and never to lead the Church astray.”….does that promise actually apply to the Church? What did Peter do during Christ’s trial by the Sanhedrin?
The Church hadn’t even been in existence at that time, Paul Bergeron.
“The Church hadn’t even been in existence at that time”….then what’s Peter’s excuse?
I think Paul Bergeron is going all over the map with his incessant questions. Paul Bergeron, St. Peter was not the Church, ok? When St. Peter betrayed Christ three times, that does not mean the Church is not guaranteed protection from error when teaching in matters of faith and morals. I suggest, Paul Bergeron, that you take out your copy of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and educate yourself on the basics of the Catholic Faith.
1) “I think Paul Bergeron is going all over the map with his incessant questions.”….compared to your incessant rebuttals?
2) “St. Peter was not the Church, ok? When St. Peter betrayed Christ three times, that does not mean the Church is not guaranteed protection from error when teaching in matters of faith and morals.”….thanks for recognizing that distinction
3) “I suggest, Paul Bergeron, that you take out your copy of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and educate yourself on the basics of the Catholic Faith.”….did you notice that the assertion concerning the pope originated with “never to fail in faith January 15, 2022 at 7:46 pm -“, and not with me?
Before the 1960s, a teaching sister who adopted a strange career, promoting gay sex and gay marriage, abortion, and women’s ordination, never existed. If we were in that era today, and if the Pope praised her– a worldwide uproar would happen.
@ Intelligent Concern – Your are completely correct. I started to have major concerns about Pope Francis when he made this comment in 2015: “Catholics should practice responsible parenthood, and do not have to breed like rabbits”. My God. I couldn’t believe that he would be so deprecatingly dismissive toward the families who have filled the Church’s pews for close to a millennium. Out of the other side of his mouth, he recently told us to “take the risk of welcoming children instead of being selfish”. We are right to question and even scold our Church’s leaders if they sow doubt and confusion.
Nah, you have no “right” to scold anyone in the Church, save your own children. This “right-speak” is novel in the Church (ahem). The way to address concerns to the leaders of the Church is privately, either in person or in writing. Not by going online and thrashing them. That behavior too is “novel.” This commentariat is just full of modernists and people who embrace such “novelties” as as this “rights’ speak” and going online and scandalously, sinfully dissing the clergy..
jon, people need Good Manners and respect for others, always. That is what is missing in today’s extremely self-centered, immoral, ill-mannered society. To express concerns with Good Manners and respect for others, is mature and rightful Christian behavior. I would suggest that you also address others with Good Manners, respect, and care, just as Christ would do, for each of us.
“What Will”, I agree we need people with good manners. I therefore propose that you give us all an example by writing graciously, calmly, fairly, about the Pope and the rest of the bishops of the Church. For example your throwing out notions like the Pope getting deposed or excommunicated is the height—the height, people—of ill-manners and shows contempt for him.
jon, don’t get so upset. Did you have these same anxieties, during the pontificates of previous popes? What did you do, during the summer of 1968, when Pope Paul VI issued Humanae Vitae– and there was a huge uproar– did you have a nervous breakdown, trying to defend the Pope? I simply closed my ears to deviant Catholics at that time, and promised Jesus I would always love and obey Him.
Me? Upset? Try again, “Reply.”
I do not think, Jon, was old enough to get upset in 1968. He seems to be repeating what others have told him. I do not think he actually saw the devastation that went on — some churches stripped for no good reason. The Von Hildebrands wrote about it, but I saw it happen with my own eyes. One lovely church in California had its high altar torn out, the statues dumped and, yes, banners put up. After the pastor destroyed the church, he ran off with a woman, and left the mess for others to fix.
Silent Observer, you obviously took his comment wrong or personally or something.
There is nothing wrong or new in responsible parenthood.
It is not deprecating to those who have large families nor dismissive.
It did not cause me doubt or confusion.
What did you think the Church’s teaching was and why?
Pope Francis might have been worried about the woman’s health in that situation, but what he said did not come out very well.
I do understand why some Trads do not want to associate with some in the newer mass communities. Many men who go to the newer masses have cheated with wives of other Catholics, and many women have cheated with the husbands, and families destroyed — one after the other. Trads want to keep their marriages intact, so they avoid such people and stress modesty They want priests they can trust not to molest. Who can blame them?
We need the trads to leave their TLM bubbles and improve the Novus ordo parishes
1) “I think Paul Bergeron is going all over the map with his incessant questions.”….compared to your incessant rebuttals?
2) “St. Peter was not the Church, ok? When St. Peter betrayed Christ three times, that does not mean the Church is not guaranteed protection from error when teaching in matters of faith and morals.”….thanks for recognizing that distinction
3) “I suggest, Paul Bergeron, that you take out your copy of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, and educate yourself on the basics of the Catholic Faith.”….did you notice that the assertion concerning the pope originated with “never to fail in faith January 15, 2022 at 7:46 pm -“, and not with me?