(From the TM/+Viganò interview. It is important to point out that Pope Benedict’s purported resignation was not only invalid, but very likely invalid for multiple reasons. -nvp)
What do you think of the munus vs. ministerium argument that Benedict XVI did not truly resign?
The Resignation of Benedict XVI, due to the procedural defects and the canonical monstrum that it produced [of two apparent “popes”], is certainly invalid, as Professor Enrico Maria Radaelli has excellently explained. The invention of the “papacy Emeritus” further undermined the Petrine Primacy and opened the way to that “shared papacy” – in a surreal division of munus and ministerium without any theological or canonical basis – which is today evolving into a reinterpretation of the role of the Pontiff in an ecumenical key, as we see in the Study Document “The Bishop of Rome” that was recently published by the Dicastery for Promoting Christian Unity. A unity that is already a mark of the one true Church of Christ, which is the Catholic Church, and which Vatican II significantly presents as an objective to be achieved by interpreting dogma in a way that does not cause conflicts with the errors of the non-Catholic sects.
The fact that Ratzinger may have subjectively believed that he abdicated from the Papacy does not affect the nullity of the Renunciation. Despite the aura of orthodoxy that surrounds the Pontificate of Benedict XVI, especially within moderate conservative circles, his redefinition of the Petrine institution and his creation of the “papacy emeritus” constitute the maximum expression of the heretical instances present in Ratzingerian theology, and as such must be the object of a very precise condemnation, together with the other heresies (well highlighted by the studies of the eminent Professor Radaelli) that the German theologian never disavowed.
Ignorance of the law is not an excuse.
For anyone who thinks that the whole “Pope Emeritus” thing makes sense, please realize that there was no such thing as a “bishop emeritus” until Paul VI changed the law around 1970. Prior to that, it was normal for bishops to die in office, no matter how old they were, or, if they retired, they were always given a “titular see.” Fulton Sheen, who retired as bishop of Rochester in October of 1969 was made titular Archbishop of Newport, England upon leaving office, for instance. That Benedict XVI would employ something so novel to the Papacy, which is the only particular office in the Church that was established by Christ, and which is essential to the Church’s life shows what a radical he was as a theologian. That anyone considers him a bastion of orthodoxy just shows how bad things have gotten. It is, and must be possible for Pope’s to resign, as a Pope must be completely sovereign to make decisions on anything not divinely revealed. But, he needs to leave the papacy behind, as Pius XII was prepared to do had the Nazis kidnapped him, not continue to live “in the enclosure of Peter” in some novel way.
John,
That is very well said.
The bit about Emeritus Bishops I did not know, but it doesn’t surprise me. It shows how the acceptance of just a little (or a lot) bad theological logic (aka heresy), leads to more, bigger deviations (heresy) and ultimately collapse, unless addressed and remediated head-on.
We know it will be fixed someday. By who and when, we know not. What size Church remains we know not. But God is in His Church Body, this we know. Its worldly size is not as relevant to him as its devotion to Him, its holiness and righteousness. We are being purified. We must all do our part in our small localized way to restore fidelity to God and righteousness in Charity by God’s grace.
Lifesite has been on a roll recently.
https://www.lifesitenews.com/opinion/what-motivates-pope-francis-attempts-to-normalize-homosexual-relationships/
https://www.lifesitenews.com/opinion/is-francis-the-pope-the-argument-from-public-heresy-suggests-not/
Granted, Ann, Verrichio, and others have long pointed out Bergolio’s relationship with Gustavo Vera, Amoris Letitia, etc. etc. And from whatever angle you choose to look at it, Bergolio is bad news. But it is nice that the floodgates are finally opening about a lot of this.