It was easier when the popes just died ...

+

JMJ

1P5 has an interesting article on the errors of the Benevacantists.

The papacy of Pope Francis has set many new bars for the Church. Many of us, who are faithful Catholics, have been shocked and dismayed as he appointed heterodox clergy and prelates; promulgated highly ambiguous documents that appear to challenge formal teaching; and terrified us with unguarded language of the latest airplane presser like a lightning bolt from the hand of Zeus, poised to strike at any time. “Who am I to judge” and the reluctance to handle the problems stemming from homosexuality in the clergy have caused many faithful even more dismay.

What is missed here is that all the papacies since John XXIII have set new records for demonic shock and awe campaigns ... so really Catholics should have woken up decades ago ... and wished it all away.

But they couldn't because the previous popes were dead and no amount of wishing was going to bring them back.

Frankly, from my perspective it would have been better if Benedict had shown some spine and not fled from the wolves.

Then Catholics would have to face the reality that we've had a series of really bad papacies with significantly flawed pontiffs.

This reality is unpleasant and I know of theologians who are basically resorting to fantasy in order to escape the facts.

So even though Benedict lost his nerve, Catholics need to find it and the follow the symptoms to the cause.

Just because Pope Francis makes Benedict, John Paul II, John Paul I, Paul VI, and John XXIII look like saints, doesn't mean that they 'were' practically perfect in every way.


Just remember to pray, do penance and be patient!

P^3