Traditionalists Have a Valid Point About Bad Appointments and the Disastrous Appeasement of Theological Liberals in the Church
[originally posted 7-18-22 on Facebook]
[dedicated to those who are under the illusion that I never criticize any pope for anything]
*****
This occurred on another Facebook page, with my friend and self-described “traditionalist” David Palm. (his words will be in blue).
*
Dave, with all due respect I think you’re on the wrong side of this discussion. The episcopal appointments of the last few papacies have been, let us charitably say, at best mixed with a strong edge toward bad. They have been skewed by an entrenched Vatican selection apparatus from which not even the last few popes have been able to break free themselves.
*
This is a prudential matter, not without precedent in history. Pope Francis has erred even more than his immediate predecessors on the wrong side of this mix. It’s an empirical matter at this point (see the blatant examples cited below, but feel free to cite the concrete counter-examples that in your view would make up for his bad appointments in major sees throughout the world and to the cardinalate.)
*
The fact that you won’t even admit that JPII and Benedict made some bad and some disastrous appointments and that Francis has done worse to me is evidence of a lack of a proper feedback loop — something you and I have discussed before.
*
But time and truth will out.
*
To the contrary, I was gonna say that the previous two popes were also roundly criticized for their appointments, too, as a rhetorical and analogical point. But they weren’t made the pariah and ugly straw man that Pope Francis has been made into, with a disgraceful wholesale “Americanist”-type and in my mind, Protestant-mentality, quasi-schismatic ecclesiological rebellion, especially in America.
*
So I think this point of yours is actually a point in favor of my argument of the grossly unfair and wrongheaded treatment of the Holy Father. It merely repeats, in this specific sense, the treatment of the previous two popes. If Francis is bad in this sense, so were Pope Benedict XVI and Pope St. John Paul II.
*
You yourself, along with many other traditionalists, attacked Pope St. John Paul II as virtually a ranting loose cannon in his last days. And there was the famous Koran incident and alleged heterodox, indifferentist mischief at the Assisi conference. It wasn’t that long ago. I remember those days well, because I defended the previous two popes, just as I defended this one from unjust attacks.
*
I would, however, largely agree with the criticisms of many appointments: of this pope and the two previous. I don’t follow those things (being too busy defending Holy Mother Church), but I’ll take your word for it, that they have been questionable. It’s a mystery to me.
*
In my own opinion, only rock-solid, faithful, 100% orthodox men should be appointed. I have no love lost for the theologically liberal / dissident / heterodox / so-called “progressive” viewpoint whatsoever. I absolutely despise these views: always have and always will. In many ways I am just as traditional as you are. No one has ever proven otherwise.
*
Now it’s fashionable — in the rush to prove that Pope Francis is the worst in history —, to pit him against the previous two popes. It won’t work: at least not for those of us who remember that recent history.
*
Are you able to admit that many of the episcopal appointments of JPII and BXVI were actually bad? If not, then we can’t really proceed on a common footing.
*
If you, like the rest of us, find yourself saying “Why don’t the bishops do something about [fill in the blank], but you don’t like the rest of us acknowledge that the majority of the episcopacy has been appointed by the last three popes, then I would suggest that your feedback loop is broken.
*
Yes. I conceded a few years ago now that the traditionalist point about soft treatment of liberals was valid. I’ve always been against that, but I knew from Fr. Hardon that the reason it was done was fear of schism. A while back I came to the position that this was not a good enough reason anymore and must be seen to be a tragic error. The Church must be much more firm and strict with the errors of liberals and dissidents.
*
So on this point I quite resonate with your view, I think. I was merely pointing out that this criticism also extends to JPII and Benedict. yet they are not considered raving liberals like Francis is (except among the most rabid reactionaries like Marshall, Voris, Coffin, Kwasniewski, et al).
*
I don’t think any of these three popes are / were raving liberals and subversives. But bad appointments? To the extent that liberals were promoted, I am in full agreement in passionate protest against that, per the above reasoning. And I’ve always held that viewpoint.
*
***
*
Practical Matters: Perhaps some of my 4,300+ free online articles (the most comprehensive “one-stop” Catholic apologetics site) or fifty-three books have helped you (by God’s grace) to decide to become Catholic or to return to the Church, or better understand some doctrines and why we believe them.
*
Or you may believe my work is worthy to support for the purpose of apologetics and evangelism in general. If so, please seriously consider a much-needed financial contribution. I’m always in need of more funds: especially monthly support. “The laborer is worthy of his wages” (1 Tim 5:18, NKJV). 1 December 2021 was my 20th anniversary as a full-time Catholic apologist, and February 2022 marked the 25th anniversary of my blog.
PayPal donations are the easiest: just send to my email address: apologistdave@gmail.com. You’ll see the term “Catholic Used Book Service”, which is my old side-business. To learn about the different methods of contributing, including 100% tax deduction, etc., see my page: About Catholic Apologist Dave Armstrong / Donation Information. Thanks a million from the bottom of my heart!
***
Photo credit: Pope St. John Paul II [Flickr / CC BY 2.0 license]
***
Summary: I agree with the legitimate Catholic traditionalist complaint or criticism concerning appointments of cardinals and bishops during the last three pontificates.
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In