Last year, four members of the College of Cardinals publicly threatened to enact a formal correction of Pope Francis for the doctrinal and moral errors they allege he has proliferated in the Apostolic Exhortation, Amoris Laetitia (AL).
Just recently, a group of so-called scholars and theologians, representing conservative reactionary sentiments within the Church, publicly deliver what they term a “filial correction” accusing Pope Francis of disseminating heresies by way of AL as well as by words, actions and omissions which are detrimental to the unity of the Catholic Faith.
Bishops in Germany, Belgium, Malta and Argentina (as well as a handful within the United States) declare that they fully embrace the pastoral initiatives which the Pope has encouraged in the Exhortation.
Other Bishops have objected to those same initiatives.
But the vast majority of Bishops have remained largely silent on where they stand and, more importantly, what they intend to do concerning the pastoral openness to divorced and civilly remarried Catholics which AL advances.
One would think the Church would be in a total state of turmoil and mass confusion among the faithful.
Yet, most Catholics are contently unaware that any disunity exists or any disparity of teaching or practice is occurring.
Why?
Because most Bishops and Priests are not speaking to the faithful about these matters.
Not one word regarding these controversies will be uttered, not one mention of Pope Francis’ Exhortation, not one syllable will be sounded from pulpits this coming weekend.
Rather, Priests will remain as silent as they have been since AL was promulgated following the Synod on the Family at which its themes were first addressed.
There is no uproar or contention, because Catholics have never heard their Pastors breathe a solitary word about AL.
Priests do not discuss the implications of the Exhortation among themselves and certainly do not engage their local Bishops seeking direction and guidance regarding whether or not the initiatives of the document are going to be implemented within their respective dioceses.
There has been no attempt to formulate an effective catechesis by which the principles and ideals of the Exhortation can be communicated to the faithful. Bishops themselves have been mute witnesses rather than engaged Pastors of souls.
Why?
I believe Bishops and Pastors largely fear reprisal should they speak in favor of or resist the initiatives of AL.
Let me explain further.
There are a number of Bishops who are not convinced that the initiatives introduced under the Pontificate of Pope Francis will long endure after it comes to an end. There are others who are convinced that the conservative reactionaries among the Bishops will quickly regain influence when Francis’ Pontificate ends.
The Bishops fear reprisal.
If they come out in favor of Amoris, they will make enemies among conservative Prelates they fear will come to power again. If they come out against the Exhortation, they mark themselves should Francis be succeeded by an equally progressive and pastorally pro-active Pontiff.
And so, they play it safe and remain quite, hiding in the background to see what is yet to unfold in the maybe not too distant future.
Pastors fear reprisal as well. Should they be vocal in support of the Exhortation, they might incur the ire of their Bishops who may be quite opposed to what they see as much too novel or radical pastoral agendas. Should they express reservations or resistance, they might show up on the radar of Bishops who are very much in the spirit of the Holy Father. And as always, they fear being caught between members of their congregations who embrace this Pope and those who find his ways and teachings troublesome.
And so, Pastors (like their Bishops) lay low and remain silent, seeking refuge by taking the opportunities to preach and teach to engage matters of lesser import or controversy.
Oh, there may be a few (very few) who feel it best not to disturb what they feel may be the good faith of Catholics with matters as potentially divisive as what is contained in AL. But, I think they do those entrusted to their care little pastoral service indeed.
And so, the faithful remain largely ignorant and complacent, never challenged or engaged, their spiritual discomforts blissfully tranquilized by platitudes of little meaning or import.
So, anyone looking for a donnybrook of controversy within the ranks of the Catholic faithful will be sorely disappointed.
You can’t disagree over something you absolutely are not aware is happening right under your very nose!
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