The pope speaks of unity and fraternity in a similar way to our president. By saying he wants peace and yet acting in a way contrary to peace. He is not willing to dialogue with those who see systemic issues within the church. He rejects those who hold to the beauty of ancient litergical practices. We lack coherence with church teaching on critical matters. It seems that modernism is akin to the time of Arianism in church history. Much like St. Athanasius, Bishops like Cordelione, Chaput, Burke, and Strickland are cast aside (or simply ignored) when they present Catholic teaching. Bishops who share the views of Fr. James Martin (and others of his ilk) are elevated. It is sowing division in the faithful. But as the church soundly rejected Arianism, survived Islam, and Protestantism, we will to pass through this darkness and emerge stronger. I pray this in Jesus’s name.
"But McElroy, Cupich, and Tobin have not proven themselves especially influential among their brother bishops. So while they will have the ear of Rome, the most outspoken American cardinals may find themselves going in one direction, with the majority of the American episcopate going in another."
Pope Franics may be unifying the American bishops, all right -- AGAINST his special favorites. It's possible that he has alienated men who were on the fence. If h+McElroy is know bishop known for fighting with other bishops and making things difficult for them, how likely is it that any of them will welcome his elevation, even if they agree with or are neutral about his views? When you create a cabal, it alienates others not in it -- and by definition, hardly anyone is in it.
It is clear that this Pope and the new Cardinal-designate are of the same mind; as are the other American prelates who have been given the red hat since 2013. Whether that was intended as a message to the American bishops is something only the Pope knows.
Thanks for the good and balanced analysis, JD, although I have to admit I’m left pretty discouraged about all of this. It’s hard to feel hopeful about the future of the church when the future of the hierarchy is being stacked in only one direction. 😔
I am sure that many of the Pillar’ subscribers will be apoplectic over the elevation of Bishop McElroy. They have long considered him an annoying episcopal outlier threatening Tradition. They had hoped he would be marginalized rather than elevated. With the prospect of the McElroy- Cupich- Tobin triumvirate wielding power and influence they are wondering what will happen to the Tradition to which they are anchored. I understand that from their perspective this is not a good development. Unless they are willing to open themselves to what Pope Francis sees as the urgings of The Holy Spirit , they will forever be scandalized/ disappointed. There is nothing one can do to assuage their disappointment because their rigidity prevents them from thinking outside the narrow construct they have fought to maintain as “ The Truth “. In their minds revelation concluded 2000 years ago, and all they had to do is memorize and follow the Catechism and they would be saved. The thought that the Holy Spirit was left to be with us for the purpose of evolving our understanding of God’s will is anathema. Surely, they say, He is only here to protect Tradition. Pope Francis obviously thinks otherwise. As the successor to Peter he wants change. What pushed Francis over the finish line to a elevate McElroy was the majority of U.S. Bishops weaponizing the Eucharist against those not fighting for civil laws to prevent abortion. That was and is a huge tactical mistake. The Eucharist is the resurrected body of Christ given for the life of the world , not a discrete subset. It is Jesus Christ who has invited the guests to His Table. He set the Table. He is the Host. He is the feast which He shares. He calls everyone to feast on His Body and Blood. Sinners and all. If one does not like to sit at the same table with those they consider misinformed, ignorant, not like minded, it is they who should not come to the Table . It is His Table . No one else.
I have read accounts today from Catholics in San Diego praising the work and pastoral approach—including profound teachings on the Eucharist—of Bishop McElroy. Yet no mention of that in this article, which is largely a political piece from a particular ideological viewpoint.
As an admirer of all of our recent popes, who have graced the Church with their unique charisms, I am saddened by articles such as this. A look at the disrespect and contempt for the Holy Father in some of the comments should be a calling for reflection by the authors.
How else are we going to properly set sail on Vatican II without bold selections of Cardinals. The resistance to Vatican II is just not going to go away with anything other than concrete appointments.
Thank you for this story and analysis. I am disappointed but not at all surprised. Some feelings of anger towards the Holy Father and this Bishop that I will need to pray about. I live in one of those Diocese with an older, faithful Bishop. I have some concern about our next shepherd. Personnel as policy? I know that every Pope is dependent on his advisors for these selections. But it seems born of very worldly, ideological motives in my likely uninformed view. I want to be “a man without fear”, and that’s something I need much grace to help with. Saint Matthew Murdock, intercede for me🙂
"But if McElroy did pass on Sipe’s letter to Rome, it’s not clear what more the bishop could have done."
No. It is very clear what else he could have done. Be a man and a bishop for starters. It is exactly this attitude which must be defeated. If the pope whom McCarrick wanted has chosen three Cardinals all caught up in the scandal (just in the US), then we will absolutely need pastors who believe that they can do something more than forward a letter. There is no absolute proof that all four men are part of a "lavender mafia" but the alternative options (they are unusually stupid or unusually cowardly) are not very promising.
Even if Fr. Spadaro prophesied that a new cardinal would bring balance to the Force to the tune of three more bad Star Wars movies, I would be untroubled (Psalm 46). If the Pope wants to send me a clear message, he can write it down and have my parish's pastor announce it at Mass, as one does; otherwise I will just continue to live a life of prayer and penance like any sensible peasant in the Church in the United States, on the general assumption that this is very much needed for reasons beyond my own sins (which, to be fair, would already be reason enough).
This is bull. What should make us hope this guy will do anything other than what he already has.
If he admitted it’s likely bishops didn’t investigate sexual abuse because they are sexually active themselves it’s because he doesn’t see what’s wrong with it and knows nothing will happen to change what they are doing.
He stonewalled Sipe. That should tell all one needs to know.
You can take the boy out of Harvard, but you can't take Harvard out of the boy. Bob McElroy's views are very much aligned with those of his elite cultural and socioeconomic class. The Cupich-Tobin-McElroy vision for the Catholic Church in America already exists in the form of Episcopal Church USA (i.e., favoring women's ordination, approving of homosexual acts, open to same-sex marriage, tolerant of legalized abortion and the politicians who favor it, etc). Sadly, at this point, it's clear beyond of a reasonable doubt that the powers that be in Rome very much favor that direction as well. But ultimately the ordinary faithful vote with their feet. The Episcopalian model is an abysmal failure, and that sect is headed for oblivion. And there's nothing that Bob McElroy et al. can do to make it succeed for Catholicism. You can't put lipstick on a pig. When I think of the future of the Catholic Church in America, I think of young priests who are still learning the traditional Latin Mass, and young Catholics like the guys who made the splendid Mass of the Ages documentary that has racked up hundreds of thousands of views.
The pope speaks of unity and fraternity in a similar way to our president. By saying he wants peace and yet acting in a way contrary to peace. He is not willing to dialogue with those who see systemic issues within the church. He rejects those who hold to the beauty of ancient litergical practices. We lack coherence with church teaching on critical matters. It seems that modernism is akin to the time of Arianism in church history. Much like St. Athanasius, Bishops like Cordelione, Chaput, Burke, and Strickland are cast aside (or simply ignored) when they present Catholic teaching. Bishops who share the views of Fr. James Martin (and others of his ilk) are elevated. It is sowing division in the faithful. But as the church soundly rejected Arianism, survived Islam, and Protestantism, we will to pass through this darkness and emerge stronger. I pray this in Jesus’s name.
based pope
There are so many points to comment on in this news that I'm simply vapor locked ~ and heart sickened.
My main concern (of several) comes from this:
"But McElroy, Cupich, and Tobin have not proven themselves especially influential among their brother bishops. So while they will have the ear of Rome, the most outspoken American cardinals may find themselves going in one direction, with the majority of the American episcopate going in another."
Pope Franics may be unifying the American bishops, all right -- AGAINST his special favorites. It's possible that he has alienated men who were on the fence. If h+McElroy is know bishop known for fighting with other bishops and making things difficult for them, how likely is it that any of them will welcome his elevation, even if they agree with or are neutral about his views? When you create a cabal, it alienates others not in it -- and by definition, hardly anyone is in it.
It is clear that this Pope and the new Cardinal-designate are of the same mind; as are the other American prelates who have been given the red hat since 2013. Whether that was intended as a message to the American bishops is something only the Pope knows.
Thanks for the good and balanced analysis, JD, although I have to admit I’m left pretty discouraged about all of this. It’s hard to feel hopeful about the future of the church when the future of the hierarchy is being stacked in only one direction. 😔
God help us
I am sure that many of the Pillar’ subscribers will be apoplectic over the elevation of Bishop McElroy. They have long considered him an annoying episcopal outlier threatening Tradition. They had hoped he would be marginalized rather than elevated. With the prospect of the McElroy- Cupich- Tobin triumvirate wielding power and influence they are wondering what will happen to the Tradition to which they are anchored. I understand that from their perspective this is not a good development. Unless they are willing to open themselves to what Pope Francis sees as the urgings of The Holy Spirit , they will forever be scandalized/ disappointed. There is nothing one can do to assuage their disappointment because their rigidity prevents them from thinking outside the narrow construct they have fought to maintain as “ The Truth “. In their minds revelation concluded 2000 years ago, and all they had to do is memorize and follow the Catechism and they would be saved. The thought that the Holy Spirit was left to be with us for the purpose of evolving our understanding of God’s will is anathema. Surely, they say, He is only here to protect Tradition. Pope Francis obviously thinks otherwise. As the successor to Peter he wants change. What pushed Francis over the finish line to a elevate McElroy was the majority of U.S. Bishops weaponizing the Eucharist against those not fighting for civil laws to prevent abortion. That was and is a huge tactical mistake. The Eucharist is the resurrected body of Christ given for the life of the world , not a discrete subset. It is Jesus Christ who has invited the guests to His Table. He set the Table. He is the Host. He is the feast which He shares. He calls everyone to feast on His Body and Blood. Sinners and all. If one does not like to sit at the same table with those they consider misinformed, ignorant, not like minded, it is they who should not come to the Table . It is His Table . No one else.
I have read accounts today from Catholics in San Diego praising the work and pastoral approach—including profound teachings on the Eucharist—of Bishop McElroy. Yet no mention of that in this article, which is largely a political piece from a particular ideological viewpoint.
As an admirer of all of our recent popes, who have graced the Church with their unique charisms, I am saddened by articles such as this. A look at the disrespect and contempt for the Holy Father in some of the comments should be a calling for reflection by the authors.
How else are we going to properly set sail on Vatican II without bold selections of Cardinals. The resistance to Vatican II is just not going to go away with anything other than concrete appointments.
Thank you for this story and analysis. I am disappointed but not at all surprised. Some feelings of anger towards the Holy Father and this Bishop that I will need to pray about. I live in one of those Diocese with an older, faithful Bishop. I have some concern about our next shepherd. Personnel as policy? I know that every Pope is dependent on his advisors for these selections. But it seems born of very worldly, ideological motives in my likely uninformed view. I want to be “a man without fear”, and that’s something I need much grace to help with. Saint Matthew Murdock, intercede for me🙂
"But if McElroy did pass on Sipe’s letter to Rome, it’s not clear what more the bishop could have done."
No. It is very clear what else he could have done. Be a man and a bishop for starters. It is exactly this attitude which must be defeated. If the pope whom McCarrick wanted has chosen three Cardinals all caught up in the scandal (just in the US), then we will absolutely need pastors who believe that they can do something more than forward a letter. There is no absolute proof that all four men are part of a "lavender mafia" but the alternative options (they are unusually stupid or unusually cowardly) are not very promising.
Even if Fr. Spadaro prophesied that a new cardinal would bring balance to the Force to the tune of three more bad Star Wars movies, I would be untroubled (Psalm 46). If the Pope wants to send me a clear message, he can write it down and have my parish's pastor announce it at Mass, as one does; otherwise I will just continue to live a life of prayer and penance like any sensible peasant in the Church in the United States, on the general assumption that this is very much needed for reasons beyond my own sins (which, to be fair, would already be reason enough).
Woof.
This is bull. What should make us hope this guy will do anything other than what he already has.
If he admitted it’s likely bishops didn’t investigate sexual abuse because they are sexually active themselves it’s because he doesn’t see what’s wrong with it and knows nothing will happen to change what they are doing.
He stonewalled Sipe. That should tell all one needs to know.
You can take the boy out of Harvard, but you can't take Harvard out of the boy. Bob McElroy's views are very much aligned with those of his elite cultural and socioeconomic class. The Cupich-Tobin-McElroy vision for the Catholic Church in America already exists in the form of Episcopal Church USA (i.e., favoring women's ordination, approving of homosexual acts, open to same-sex marriage, tolerant of legalized abortion and the politicians who favor it, etc). Sadly, at this point, it's clear beyond of a reasonable doubt that the powers that be in Rome very much favor that direction as well. But ultimately the ordinary faithful vote with their feet. The Episcopalian model is an abysmal failure, and that sect is headed for oblivion. And there's nothing that Bob McElroy et al. can do to make it succeed for Catholicism. You can't put lipstick on a pig. When I think of the future of the Catholic Church in America, I think of young priests who are still learning the traditional Latin Mass, and young Catholics like the guys who made the splendid Mass of the Ages documentary that has racked up hundreds of thousands of views.