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Pope Francis: “Don’t Breed Like Rabbits” |
Therefore, the Supreme Pontiff’s statement that “Catholics should not breed like rabbits” is not an “infallible, ex cathedra” dogma to which all Roman Catholics are bound.
Yet, we have it on good authority that, even if a Supreme Pontiff’s words are not uttered with “the supreme power of their Teaching Authority”, even with their “ordinary teaching authority”, “it is obvious that the matter, according to the mind and will of the Pontiffs, cannot any longer [be] considered a question open to discussion”:
Nor must it be thought that what is expounded in [non-infallible papal statements] does not of itself demand consent, since in writing [or saying such things] the Popes do not exercise the supreme power of their Teaching Authority. For these matters are taught with the ordinary teaching authority, of which it is true to say: “He who heareth you, heareth me”; and generally what is expounded and inculcated in [non-infallible papal statements] already for other reasons appertains to Catholic doctrine. But if the Supreme Pontiffs in their official documents purposely pass judgment on a matter up to that time under dispute, it is obvious that that matter, according to the mind and will of the Pontiffs, cannot be any longer considered a question open to discussion among theologians.
Yes, the pope and his official and unofficial spokespersons (“apologists”) tried to soften the edges of that statement. However, the whole issue of “papal infallibility” arose in the first place because of the possibility that one papal statement might contradict another.
This is obviously a man who does not know what it means to be pope.
Nota Bene, in light of the Pope’s comments, the Vatican has updated its clear and certain guidelines for confessors, affirming that the statement “my wife not only is capable of having intense multiple orgasms during her most fertile days of her cycle, but she asserts her right to do so” is not an adequate penitential reason in the confessional for using artificial birth control methods. In such instances, absolution should be refused.
That is pathetically funny-but-true John,
ReplyDeleteAs I mentioned to my wife the other day, "That is a man with loose lips".
And he is restricting those with loose hips?
But what bothers me most about that Vademecum is-
11. Sacramental absolution is not to be denied to those who, repentant after having gravely sinned against conjugal chastity, demonstrate the desire to strive to abstain from sinning again, notwithstanding relapses.
The validity of Absolution aside John, doesn't that beg the question, "How do you demonstrate the desire from gravely sinning again?"
Would the priest then grade subsequent relapses on a far looser scale? Doesn't credibility get strained somewhere along the line?
That papal "notwithstanding" clause is not just tricky, it is duplicitous.
Nonsense, Ron -- it's "both-and" theology at its finest.
DeleteSeriously, about the "Vademecum", -- it seems to me as if it was an attempt to staunch the bleeding among those Roman Catholics who continue to practice "artificial" contraception. I do think this was recognized as duplicitous, and clearly so. This did not stop the tide.
Interestingly, this statement: Sacramental absolution is not to be denied to those who, repentant after having gravely sinned against conjugal chastity, demonstrate the desire to strive to abstain from sinning again, notwithstanding relapses. In accordance with the approved doctrine and practice followed by the holy Doctors and confessors with regard to habitual penitents, the confessor is to avoid demonstrating lack of trust either in the grace of God or in the dispositions of the penitent, by exacting humanly impossible absolute guarantees of an irreproachable future conduct … applies in a very clear way to CCC 2359, which says:
DeleteHomosexual persons are called to chastity. By the virtues of self-mastery that teach them inner freedom, at times by the support of disinterested friendship, by prayer and sacramental grace, they can and should gradually and resolutely approach Christian perfection.
This is, for practical purposes, Rome’s license for the “celibate clergy” to practice homosexuality, as "gravely disordered" as those acts are said to be.
("Not that there's anything wrong with that.")
Francis is the crazy uncle of the papacy. Of all the foolish things Francis has said so far, this is the worst. Of course, depending on the length of his pontificate, he may top it.
ReplyDeletei) The statement is extremely derogatory, even dehumanizing. The sort of thing the late Ian Paisley was wont to say.
ii) The only thing keeping modern Catholicism afloat is Catholic fertility rates in the Third World venues.
iii) What's so bad about big families? What's so bad about a C-section?
iv) It will obviously come across as hypocritical given Rome's condemnation of "artificial" birth control.
You have to wonder what folks like Robert George were saying in private when they heard this.
Francis tried to walk it back later, but this will be quoted forever.