Theologian Downplays Moves to Oust Pope Francis
The annual Lenten retreat this week is very timely for Pope Francis, considering the recent troubling developments besetting the Vatican. What makes it even more relevant is the participation of the Roman Curia, some of whose members are purportedly behind moves to oust him from the throne of the Holy See.
The grumbling among some disgruntled cardinals has been felt immediately after then Jorge Bergoglio was elected to the papacy four years ago when he sought to reform the Church's bureaucracy, particularly its finances which was said to have caused Pope Benedict's resignation.
A book entitled Merchants in the Temple exposed the alleged corruption within Rome — from cardinals' luxurious living in lavish apartments to the questionable use of charity funds — and the setbacks encountered by Pope Francis as he tried to institute economic reforms.
Pope Francis further earned the ire of traditionalists when he issued the Amoris Laetitia, wherein he left it to local bishops whether or not to allow communion for divorced and remarried priests. The document relaxes the old rule that the Eucharist may be received only after the annulment of marriage.
But the governing body's dissatisfaction didn't end there. The Guardian reported how Pope Francis displeased the conservatives among them when he expressed agreement to some of the points raised by Martin Luther. "There was corruption in the church, worldliness, attachment to money and power," he said during the 500th anniversary of the Reformation on October 2016.
Although disappointment within the Roman Curia is getting more pronounced, Vatican watcher Massimo Faggioli thinks that moves to force Pope Francis into retirement are exaggerated. "It is true that some cardinals may regret their vote for him in the conclave, but I do not think they hope that he resigns," he said. "They know it would be very hard to find a popular pope like him," he added.
