The neo-conservative reactionaries within the Church will grab and hold on to any straw that seems to support their narrow and nostalgic agendas.
Here’s a story which appeared on one of the more visible websites touted by such groups.
Quoting the story which appeared on The Crux:
Pope Francis appeared to wade into one of the most contentious liturgical debates in Catholicism in recent years, siding with his predecessor Pope emeritus Benedict XVI by insisting that Christ died “for many,” instead of using the phrase “for all.”
“The ‘many’ who will rise for eternal life are to be understood as the ‘many’ for whom the blood of Christ was shed,” Pope Francis said. “They are the multitude that, thanks to the goodness and mercy of God, can experience the life that does not pass away, the complete victory over death brought by the resurrection.” The quotation marks around the word “many” were used by the Vatican when distributing the text of the Holy Father’s homily.
Francis argued that “for many” better captures the sense that human beings have to make a choice during this life, either for or against God.
“Awakening from death isn’t, in itself, a return to life,” the Pope said. “Some in fact will awake to eternal life, others for eternal shame.
“Death renders definitive the ‘crossroads’ which, already here in this world, stand before us: The way of life, that is, the one that leads us to communion with God, or the path of death, that is, the one that leads us away from Him,” the Pontiff said.
The Pope’s words came during a homily as he was saying Mass for the eternal response of the 14 Cardinals and Bishops who died in the past year.
Well now, let’s peel away the layers of this story.
First, there is no indication whatsoever that the Holy Father’s remarks had anything to do with the translation of liturgical texts. He was speaking in the context of offering Mass for the Faithful Departed whom the Church commends to the Mercy of God in the hope and promise of Eternal Life in the Divine Presence. This was not an exercise of liturgical debate, but an expression of faith and worship.
Second, the Pope once again is clearly speaking in poetic language rather than precise doctrinal terms. His words should not be received or interpreted to be literal treatises on Church teaching or practice.
In this homily, the Pope states: “Awakening from death isn’t, in itself, a return to life. Some in fact will awake to eternal life, others for eternal shame.”
But just a little over a month ago, the Holy Father stated that those who die rejecting the forgiveness of God and His salvific grace need not fear hell, for these souls will suffer annihilation after death.
So which is it? Wakening to shame or annihilation?
The reasonable person understands that the Pope is speaking metaphorically, not setting forth precise doctrinal formulations or credal formulae.
And one final thought for The Crux and its knee-jerk conservative subscribers.
The ancient proclamation of faith, the kerygma itself, speaks of Christ’s death for all humanity for all time. This is the context in which the liturgical understanding of the words "pro multis" should be properly understood.
Christ died “for all”.
Whether or not individuals embrace His Death and seek salvation from the Lord is a matter of personal choice and responsibility. In that sense, the death of Christ “for all” may indeed only be expedient for some or for many.
But to suggest that the liturgical phrase “for many” trumps the ancient credal formula of “for all” is neo-conservative reactionary nonsense!
The Crux and its followers need to be ashamed of themselves!
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