Is Pope Francis, a polarizing figure for Catholic hard-liners, ready for the coming schism?
Michael W. Higgins is principal of St. Mark’s College at the University of British Columbia and senior fellow at Massey College. He is currently writing a book on Pope Francis.
Historically, schismatics get to roil in agony in Dante’s netherworld and are at the receiving end of papal anathemas – basically a denunciation. But, with the exception of church historians, they remain largely out of view – after all, this is the age of ecumenism with its appreciation for the gifts of all churches – until such time as they scramble back onto centre stage.Priests wait under a statue of St.
For those Catholics of unwavering orthodox convictions inclined to see the church as a purist’s preserve – the place where the saved may securely graze without fear of worldly contamination – Francis’s non-discriminating embrace of all, irrespective of their degree of doctrinal correctness, is deeply disturbing.
those in power accustomed to being the voice of unquestioned authority could and did accept the notion theologicallyUntil the arrival on the Tiber of Jorge Mario Bergoglio. Convinced that the inverted pyramid more faithfully adheres to the message of Jesus, that the dispersal and not the concentration of power is key to effective ministry, that the pope is not at the apex but at the base, truly the “servant of the servants of God,” and that all the ordained are called to genuine service and not overlordship, Francis is the DisruptorThis is fully in keeping with his efforts as Pope to celebrate what he calls the “peripheries” – those geographical and cultural areas...
A striking example of this approach can be seen in his willingness to meet gay Catholics in their reality, treating them not as somehow “disordered” or as a minority to be selectively indulged, but as fellow Catholics yearning for acceptance. In addition, his handling of the fractious “altar wars” is a telling example of how patient and prudential this disruptor can actually be.
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