This is absolutely unprecedented in the 2,000-year history of the Catholic Church.
These accusations are being made by some of the most respected and reputable Catholic theologians.
Even if someone cannot see the plain logic and correctness of what is being asserted here (due to a lack of intellectual formation, due to an obstinate and willful stupidity, or due to demonic possession), then at least the ghastly section where the Pope’s personnel decisions are summarized (i.e., what lying, or perverted, or heretical prelate he promoted, affirmed, praised, etc.) should make one agree that the Church is on fire. The list begins with Cardinal Domenico Calcagno, then continues with Cardinal Francesco Coccopalmerio, Cardinal Blase Cupich, etc… This is the first time I have seen such an “action list” of personnel decisions by the Pope, complete and in one place. Reading it made me want to vomit.
I grew up under the John Paul II and Benedict XVI papacies. John Paul II was the moral thinking Pope par excellence. His main work on moral theology, Veritatis Splendor, is, in my opinion, one of the greatest intellectual works in human history. It is stunningly beautiful and clear, and thoroughly Catholic. I do not recall a single respected theologian criticizing it (let alone a pack of them, such as those in this Open Letter). His teaching on the Theology of the Body was so beautiful and revolutionary, that it has inspired a new generation of Catholics who have found new grace and holiness in patterning their lives after it. John Paul II dispelled confusion. He never created it. He taught the Church’s belief regarding sexuality, marriage, and the Sacraments, plainly and simply. I might add that his intellectual prowess, combined with his ability as a shepherd, led to him captaining a tight ship. There was no funny business during his papacy.
Pope Benedict XVI is the theological genius Pope par excellence. He was John Paul’s right-hand man through almost all of his Papacy. His intellectual contribution to John Paul II’s papacy is well known. But aside from being a brain, Benedict was a genius as a pastor. Benedict was never heavy-handed, even to those who disagreed with him. Virtually all his theological or clerical enemies state that his charity towards them was unquestionable. And Benedict never compromised with the truth. For Benedict, to compromise with the truth is to place something above Jesus. It is to put God in second place. He would rather be torn limb from limb than do such a thing. When he taught something, he made the teaching so beautiful that it was impossible not to fall in love with it. Myself, if I read just a paragraph, it usually sits with me for days…
I long for the days of these two giant popes.
The proverb is true … you never know the true value of something until it’s gone.
Pray for the Church, friends. Pray very, very hard. This is the time when She needs you. She is in an intense period of spiritual darkness. We need prayers to combat it. Rally around your Mother.
- Mary Ann Gurliaccio The faithful are aware of the dangers in the Church which is real and imminent . Asking the Lord for mercy upon his Church tonight at Adoration. Praying God purifies his Church soon. And you are correct Father we long for the days of Benedict and John Paul.7Hide or report this
- Mark Westhoff Father what are you hearing internally ?1Hide or report thisCarlos Martins replied · 1 Reply
- Kristina Picha The point you make about Pope John Paul making things clear and never confusing is so valid and true although, his writings were incredibly deep and required effort to get through, there is no mistaking his meanings and most certainly never went against 2000 yrs of Church history. satan is the one who confuses and muddles meanings.8Hide or report this
- Marilyn Kaye Lord, graciously hear our pleas +4Hide or report this
- Susan OBrien We are being pruned.3Hide or report this
- Robert Hoover “at least the ghastly section where the Pope’s personnel decisions are summarized (i.e., what lying, or perverted, or heretical prelate he promoted, affirmed, praised, etc.) should make one agree that the Church is on fire.”
Amen, Father!…See More7Hide or report this - Pam Salimeno I believe in this, the theologians are behind the laity. Other than the few that publicly embrace the errant statements of this Pope and the confusion he seems to enjoy sowing, Jesuit Fr. James Martin whom Francis appointed to the Secretariat of Commu…See More3Hide or report this
- Active NowStephen M Borlaug You obviously don’t know the history of the Church very well.2Hide or report this
- Vanessa LW I’m wondering if you know about Assisi I, II and I heard there was a third Assisi, too, but I’m not sure. Oh, and JPII teaching the heresy of universalism.2Hide or report this
- Reina Pantaleon Rizzyy MarsellaHide or report thisRizzyy Marsella replied · 1 Reply
- Kathy Zacherl Vladimir ZacherlHide or report this
- Michael Lewis I agree Fr. Carlos, the church is in serious trouble under this Pope. His actions have been abominable and, as you said, a stark contrast to st. Pope John Paul who was simply wonderful.3Hide or report this
- Douglas Edwards Mother Mary weeps.3Hide or report this
- Yuliana Magana🙏Hide or report this
- David Anthony Domet And what will priests such as you do Father when he starts ordaining women to the diaconate?3Hide or report thisDavid Anthony Domet replied · 3 Replies
- Sandy Embesi If God leads us to it He will lead us through it! Beware of Wolves in Sheep’s clothing and pray for our church.4Hide or report thisTanya Ivanova replied · 1 Reply
- Active NowMichael Thomas Kramer Pope John Paul II was orthodox but presided over worse appointments than Francis…4Hide or report thisRita Kirsch Thieme replied · 1 Reply
- Alana Sullivan It’s funny how Cardinal Pell is in jail. I wonder if Vatican has any thing to do with it since he is a good conservative Cardinal. Pray fir him too please9Hide or report this
- Barbara Elena Monzon The Church has been on fire since the dreaded Council with precursors under Pius XII. Lets not kid ourselveS or we will never, ever solve this mess. We have been here before but the world was a different one. Average Catholic cant tell heresy from Hallmark theology9Hide or report thisRita Kirsch Thieme replied · 3 Replies
- Teresa De Jesus Rodriguez Father you’re so right.2Hide or report this
- Athanasius McVay “some of the most respected” I think is slightly exaggerated. Other than Nichols, I don’t see any big names. In fact, few people have heard of any of them. No Burke, no Branmuller, no Schneider, not even Roberto de Mattei, and no Vorris, even though there is another “STB”3Hide or report thisAlana Sullivan replied · 3 Replies
- Mark-Eneida Crawford Lord we ask that you overwhelm them with the wisdom and courage of the Holy Spirit. Holy Spirit lead us!1Hide or report this
- Chris Kruchten BOOM!1Hide or report this
- Trudy Harlow Jen Cole, Fredericka Wall, Diane Farrell, Selma Sierra1Hide or report this
- Susan Ford Its time the word “heresy”, is used again.2Hide or report this
- Dai Si MatthewHide or report thisPriscilla M. Gray replied · 2 Replies
- Joseph Villecco But are there enough bishops who will read this and decide it is time to act? Vigano’s disclosure (morally speaking) should have prompted action – nothing happened. Are there any bishops that will have the fortitude to follow up on this?2Hide or report this
- Priscilla M. Gray JP II stubbornly supported the Legionaries’ pervert founder Maciel and he overlooked all of the aberrant behaving priests while he performed his role. He appointed the most terrible perverts to bishop, cardinal. Reading his phenomenology stuff was walk…See More6Hide or report thisMaty Simmons replied · 1 Reply
- Sumus Nobis It’s about time2Hide or report this
- Theodore M. Seeber This is NOT unprecedented. Look up the Cadaver Synod. There have been heretical Popes before.1Hide or report this
- Michael Samuel June I could be alone in thinking this, but I truly wonder if at some point Pope Francis will be revealed as the anti-pope and Pope Benedict as still the true Pope. I could be wrong I hope I am but it happened before who’s to say it’s not happening now.4Hide or report thisTheodore M. Seeber replied · 1 Reply
- Robert Duff We just need to pray for our modern day Ambroses, Athanasius’, and Augustines.6Hide or report this
- Cynthia Simon Excellent commentary Fr Carlos Martins! My husband and I continue to pray unceasingly for the purification of Holy Mother Church in these unprecedented times. God will not abandon us.7Hide or report this
- Teresa Gee Thanking God for these brave, wise souls who can articulate what most are afraid or are unwilling to face about the seated false prophet. Praying.5Hide or report this
- Donna Marie he must address each point1Hide or report this
- Cindy Case Hail Mary … 🙏Hide or report this
- Kathy ProAm To Jesus through Mary.Hide or report this
- Kerri Pax I’m not sure what you are getting at here, and I don’t know what the Pope has done, but I loved Pope John Paul too and his honest, humble intelligence. I also think these times are decision times. I do not think the Church can be saved. It is going to …See More2Hide or report thisRita Kirsch Thieme replied · 2 Replies
- Francisco De Ycaza It is so sad the lack of understanding and misinterpretation of these theologians. What is in error is their understanding not the Pope. The Magisterium is defined as the Bishops in Union with the Pope; if they are not in Union with the Pope they are n…See MoreHide or report thisMEDIEVAL.UCDAVIS.EDUCatherine of Siena: Letter to Pope GregoryCatherine of Siena: Letter to Pope Gregory3Priscilla M. Gray replied · 1 Reply
- Sandy Oberdier Reid Kathy FarkasHide or report this
- Anita Crane Thanks Father Martins. However, there was ‘funny business’ during the reign of Pope Saint John Paul II. Papal nuncios are in charge of informing popes who should be appointed as bishops and maybe even elevated to cardinals. Sadly, Saint John Paul II ap…See More3Hide or report this
- Bp Rick Stika One or two theologians! Ridiculous.1Hide or report this
- Janet Parry But … what if there are not enough faithful Bishops around the world who agree with these scholars?
Then, where will we be?Hide or report this - Dana Foss Honest assessment Fr. Martins, thank you.Hide or report this
I am glad to read your letter, Father! I was relieved to see the Open Letter just published by these committed Catholics. Back in August I was in prayer and received the following word from the Lord. Since then I have spent much time studying the current situation in the Church and in prayer for the Church and the faithful, but I have not felt released to share the word until reading your letter and many of the faithful’s comments. I am no theologian, but I have walked as a Catholic in the Spirit with Jesus for nearly forty years, and until I began to study the Scriptures brought forth in this word in light of what I was being told for the current times, I missed the great promise to the faithful and what it means for us now and in the coming days.
It’s not as unprecedented as it seems, because the truth is that Bergoglio was never pope because Benedict resigned the ministerium, not the munus, as required by Canon 332 §2 for a valid papal resignation. Therefore, that Bergoglio is a heretic, while true, he is not the pope.