Francis “ ignored the norm” and showed arbitrariness. Grzegorz Górny on the key of cardinal nominations

"Jorge Maria Bergoglio one more time ignored the norms in force in the Church," commented Catholic writer Grzegorz Górny. In support of this thesis, the commentator made hard arguments. As he pointed out, the decisions of the Holy Father do not agree with the customized or the Pope's own declarations... But even with the regulations prescribed by his predecessors.

"Four days after the beginning of the Synod on Synod of Synodity in the Vatican, Pope Francis announced that on 8 December he would convene a consistor, during which he created 21 fresh cardinals", he reminded Grzegorz Górny in the weekly "Sieci".

"Jorge Mario Bergoglio one more time ignored the norms of the Church. Paul VI in the Apostolic Constitution Romano Pontifici Eligendo He set the limit of cardinal electors (i.e. having the right to choose the pope) at 120. However, Francis increased their number to 141 without changing the existing rules beforehand," he pointed out.

As the publicist added, “the list of denominations caused large surprise in the Catholic world.” On the 1 hand, the Pope one more time omitted the appointments of the metropolitans of the diocese, who were traditionally always given a seat. Among them is Milan, Venice, Naples, Genoa, Paris, Los Angeles, Berlin, Zagreb, Dublin, Edinburgh...

A akin approach was usually justified by the pope's desire to support the outermost Church – from far and poorer corners of the world. Meanwhile, as Grzegorz Górny pointed out, fresh nominations show precisely the other trend. Since the Second Vatican Council, Africa has not had so fewer representatives among the cardinals and at the highest decision-making levels of the Church.

“There was only 1 hierarch from Sub-Saharan Africa – the poorest region in the world, and at the same time the top increase of Catholics on our globe – among the 21 fresh purples was one,” said the journalist. “Today, there is no black hierarchy at the head of Vatican offices – for the pontificates of John Paul II or Benedict XVI, Francis Arinze of Nigeria, Peter Turkson of Ghana or Robert Sarah of Guinea” he added.

As Grzegorz Górny reminded, the omission of the Black Continent in the nominations and politics of Francis has many commentators connected with the rejection of the Vatican declaration "Fiducia Supplicans" by the full platform of cooperation of bishops of this continent. This is an outrageous document, allowing the “non-litigious” blessings of homosexual couples by priests.

However, the breach in Africa's rightful attitude caused Archbishop Jean Paul Vesco. According to Grzegorz Górny, only 4,000 believers are present. “Many parishes in Poland have more parishes than the diocese he led”, he added. On the next consistor, however, he is to receive the honor of Cardinal's creation...

However, this unexpected nomination for the hierarch of a tiny diocese seems to explain the fact that he not only agreed to the “Fiducia Supplicans”, but “organized a group of hierarchs from North Africa, mostly white Europeans from arabian countries, who declared officially that unlike their black brothers in the bishopric of the South would bless single-sex couples”, reminded the writer “Sieci”.

The Cardinal-nomine of the Algiers Cathedral besides supports the "women's diaconate" or the consent to join Holy Communion of divorcees in fresh relationships. "Abp Vesco has so been awarded, as he fits perfectly into the programming line of the current pontificate," says the journalist.

Unlike the unexpected nomination for Vesco, the long-awaited creation of the cardinal leader of the Ukrainian Greek Orthodox Church, Archbishop Swiatosław Szewczuk as it was not, so it will not be.

"When Jorge Mario Bergoglio became Pope in 2013, it seemed that Archbishop Szewczuk, who had already been in charge of Ukrainian Greek Catholics for 2 years now, would rapidly receive a Cardinal's Bire", recalled Grzegorz Górny, adding that this hierarch had known the Pope for years. And yet...

"Abp Shevczuk was not Francis' favourite for at least 2 reasons. Firstly, as a moral theologian, he specialized in body theology according to John Paul II. As a large proponent of Karol Wojtyla's thought, he kept a distance from ideas of revolutionizing Catholic sexual ethics. The most clear manifestation of this was rejection Fiducia supplicans.”, emphasized the writer “Network”.

According to Grzegorz Górny, the election of the Holy Father clearly shows that he designates cardinals solely according to the key of individual sympathy and support his imagination of changes in the Church. This is yet another fatal proof of the self-restrictive and arbitraryness with which the current Pope holds office, lamented the publicist. "Franciszek one more time showed his utmost volunteerism. The clear rules of choice for his predecessors have disappeared. Today, only the will of the ruler matters," he said.

Source: ‘NETWORK’ weekly

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