What happened?
Two cardinals have helped to inspire a declaration of traditional doctrine in response to what they call “grave danger to the faith and unity of the Church”.Cardinals Walter Brandmüller and Raymond Burke, who signed the dubia addressed to Pope Francis, were present as the statement was issued. The statement affirms the indissolubility of marriage and the doctrine that the divorced and remarried, if living in a sexual relationship, cannot receive Communion.
What conference speakers said
Cardinal Burke emphasised the limits of papal authority, saying: “Any expression of doctrine or practice that is not in conformity with divine revelation, contained in the sacred Scriptures and tradition of the Church, cannot be an authentic exercise of the apostolic and Petrine ministry and must be rejected by the faithful.”
Another speaker, Bishop Athanasius Schneider, surveyed the history of the papacy. “Through the inscrutable permission of divine providence,” he argued, Satan’s attacks “have in rare cases had the effect of a temporary and limited eclipse of the papal magisterium, when some Roman pontiffs have made ambiguous doctrinal statements, thereby causing a temporary situation of doctrinal confusion in the life of the Church”.
What the commentators said
At Crux, John Allen said that the conference participants were “clearly convinced that their stand is both correct and necessary. However, they do seem to want the Pope to at least acknowledge their case, and it’s worth asking, if only from a purely political point of view, whether what one saw on Saturday appears likely to accomplish that.” On the whole, Allen wrote, it was uncertain. “Time will tell, but early returns don’t make that seem a foregone conclusion.”
An anonymous writer for OnePeterFive said: “The conference communicated an immense sense of urgency, that things cannot continue as they are. The pastors of the Church must do something to protect their flock from the deceptive spirit of confusion and falsehood which has invaded the magisterium.”
✣Four Catholics shot dead in Pakistan
What happened?
Four members of a Catholic family were shot dead in the city of Quetta, Pakistan, on Easter Monday. ISIS claimed responsibility for the attack and a police official described it as an “act of terrorism”. The victims, attacked while heading out for ice cream, had been visiting relatives in a Christian neighbourhood in the city.
Why was it under-reported
The mainstream media has limited interest in the persecution of Pakistan’s Christians. There is also “atrocity fatigue”, as the country is rife with extremist violence. In January, for instance, 20 people were killed by a suicide bomber in a minority Shia area of Parchinar. Yet the latest attack is part of a bigger story: an escalation of violence against Christians. In October, a grenade was thrown at a Pentecostal church in the same area. A week before Christmas, a Methodist church in Quetta was bombed, leaving nine dead.
What will happen next?
Just over a year ago Pakistan could claim it had won the war on terrorism. It had just cleared out the Taliban from its stronghold in north Waziristan. But extremists elsewhere now look increasingly defiant. Quetta is the latest trouble spot. Pakistan is facing increased international pressure, with the US threatening to cut its aid. That’s good news – but there are ominous signs too.A missionary, Bruce Allen, told an American radio station that the gunmen left a note calling the attack “the first episode of genocide against Christians”. Let us hope this is mere rhetoric.
✣The week ahead
The bishops of England and Wales will gather for a three-day meeting in Leeds on Monday. They are likely to discuss their ad limina visit to Rome in September, when they will meet Pope Francis for the second time. Other subjects may include the Eucharistic congress in Liverpool, also in September, and the rededication of England as the Dowry of Mary in 2020.
Benedict XVI will celebrate his 91st birthday on Monday. His older brother, Mgr Georg Ratzinger, is likely to visit. Last year Benedict enjoyed a beer brought by a delegation from Bavaria led by the region’s prime minister.
Next Friday Pope Francis will visit the heel of Italy to mark 25 years since the death of a celebrated Italian prelate, Bishop Tonino Bello. The Pope will stop off at Alessano, the bishop’s birthplace, and Bari, where he served as bishop. Bishop Bello, who died aged 58, was seen as a champion of the poor, and had called for a “Church of the apron” – that is, devoted to service.
Areas of Catholic Herald business are still recovering post-pandemic.
However, we are reaching out to the Catholic community and readership, that has been so loyal to the Catholic Herald. Please join us on our 135 year mission by supporting us.
We are raising £250,000 to safeguard the Herald as a world-leading voice in Catholic journalism and teaching.
We have been a bold and influential voice in the church since 1888, standing up for traditional Catholic culture and values. Please consider donating.