The Cardinal and the Princess.
The Vatican’s former doctrine chief has criticised Francis’ papacy for lacking theological rigour, while suggesting he is ready to make a comeback and work in the Roman Curia.
During a book presentation in Germany last Friday, Cardinal Gerhard Müller, dismissed from his job by the Pope in July, recalled how the Jesuit Cardinal Robert Bellarmine (1542-1621) told Pope Clement VIII that he did not understand anything about theology.
According to reports of the event in Mannheim the German cardinal then pointed out that Bellarmine was sacked from the Curia three times. Muller added he thought it possible he could return to the curia - a suggestion which was greeted with great applause.
In Mannheim, the cardinal criticised Latin American approach to theology, in what was a thinly veiled critique of the Argentinian Pope and his theological advisers from the continent.
“In Europe, theologians immediately have to have the exact council text ready when words like ‘faith’ or ‘mercy’ are used. This kind of theology with which we are familiar doesn’t exist in Latin America. They are more intuitive there,” Cardinal Muller said during a presentation of his new book 'The Pope - Mission and Task' at the Reiss-Engelholm-Museum at Mannheim.
“They look at a text without considering it as part of a whole. We must somehow respect and accept this style. But I nevertheless wish that as far as teaching documents are concerned clear theological preparation must take place.”
Princess Gloria of Thurn and Taxis invited Müller to present his new book at the museum where there is an exhibition on the Papacy. - SourceI find this story interesting since - from what I understand, the German church is quite rich. I won't take time to back that up with statistics and anecdotes, but I just remember the so-called Bishop of Bling and other stories associated the wealth of the Church in Germany. I immediately thought of the rebukes Pope Francis has made against cardinals acting like Princes of the Church, declaring, "one who considers himself a prince has a ‘clericalist attitude’ – that is, hypocritical."
Indeed, Latin American theology may be more intuitive, just as the papacy of Pope Francis is more populist. Perhaps Müller's remarks shed more light on why he was dismissed than anything Catholics online might come up with to condemn the Pope? As Pope Francis explained:
Jesus served the people, He explained things because the people understood well: He was at the service of the people. He had an attitude of a servant, and this gave authority. On the other hand, these doctors of the law that the people… yes, they heard, they respected, but they didn’t feel that they had authority over them; these had a psychology of princes: ‘We are the masters, the princes, and we teach you. Not service: we command, you obey.’ And Jesus never passed Himself off like a prince: He was always the servant of all, and this is what gave Him authority. - Pope FrancisHmmm.
Bonus photos of the Princess
The Princess and the Cardinal.
Family portrait.
The Princess with interior designer to the rich
and famous, Peter Marino, Marino at her right.
The Princess at the dedication of a boat.
For more information on the 'Punk Princess' go here.
The German church is wealthy because people are required to belong to a religion, and are registered as such. Government provides money to the legal religious entities. Kinfof like property tax here supporting schools whether you have kids or not and whether they're in public school or not.
ReplyDeleteThe money supporting the church has no relationship to Mass participation.
I know - my brother lives in Mannheim - his former wife, my former sister-in-law always said this is why she hated the church, forced to pay taxes even when you don't believe or attend. So I'm aware of that issue. Nevertheless, wealth courts wealth.
DeleteI didn't realize you had a brother.
DeleteI totally thought you were riffing on The Grand Budapest Hotel or something at first (it's one Of my favorite movies ever) but this is a real story!
ReplyDeleteWhen real life gets too Wes Anderson, I guess?
Loved that movie. I love this: "When real life gets too Wes Anderson."
DeleteIf I were more stylish, this would be me always :D
DeleteHey, I love Wes Anderson. Check out "Bottle Rocket" if you haven't seen it. It's his first movie, I think. Small Budget, great soundtrack, sweet story........honestly ....watch it.
DeleteBeen a fan since that movie--I haven't seen it since it first came out. I was thinking of writing a thing on it, actually. Might even do it!
DeleteWell said....VERY well said...
ReplyDeleteAmen.
DeleteI am still of the opinion that our Lord Jesus Christ is calling his people back through the voice and witness of Papa Francis. Yes, the critics are there but he presses on because too many have left the fold, too many have abandoned the sacraments, prayer, too many believe themselves unforgivable, unlovable, especially by God. Papa Francis speaks to that void, that emptiness and not only by word but by example.
The Lord blessed us with two previous popes who were theological giants, especially St.JPII but even he was criticized when he was deemed "too friendly" con el Pueblo.
I have said this before and I will say it again, many in Latin America, in Asia, in Africa, in the Middle East, LOVE and RESPECT our current Holy Father because they understand his way of trying to lead people back to Jesus. I have witnessed this myself and in my own family. I love and admire the past two popes for their witness, but Papa Francis is special because he speaks to so many who had felt forgotten, who do not understand the way a mind drenched in theology works.
To have a Papa who speaks our tongue and who prays and jokes and loves Maria the way we do, is a blessing indeed. I am still Catholic in the truest sense of the word and I will continue to pray for unity in the Church.
Prayers for Cardinal Mueller, may he find his place in the service of God's people.
Diakonos and Yaya - I didn't really get into this in the post but I think there is a snobbery or sort of European elitism at play here. Francis is colonial, or a sort of 'hayseed' to the 'establishment'. Some regarded John XXIII in the same way. I think Francis really wants to get rid of that mentality, and that is the resistance. Doctrinally and theologically I think Francis is quite conservative and orthodox, but his approach is much more humble, simple, and on the same level as the people. Like Yaya said, "To have a Papa who speaks our tongue and who prays and jokes and loves Maria the way we do, is a blessing indeed." I'm with you.
DeleteAnyway - someone more articulate than myself needs to write about this dychotomy. I am convinced this is the real problem behind the resistance. It started on the day he was elected when he declined to wear the mozzetta - although he really didn't say 'carnival is over' - it has been clear from day one he doesn't like the trappings of monarchy.
Anyway - I'm greatly encouraged by this, not discouraged. I trust the Pope.
"a snobbery or sort of European elitism at play here"
DeleteAnd yet this is nothing new, yes? Did not our Lady come to Mexico as Virgen de Guadalupe, in her most tender way, to show God's little ones that He died for them too? To reveal His love for them too even if they be considered lowly and coarse by those who possessed more so-called "knowledge in the ways of God?" She did not just come for the conversion of the Indigenous peoples but for the elites, who had "hardened their hearts" towards them.
So how is Papa Francis any different? He loves all of God's people too. He has made it a point of always reaching out to the discarded, the forgotten, the abandoned yet he is dismissed as a "simpleton who dumbs down the faith." I have read too that he is referred to as a Marxist because (in your words) "his approach is much more humble, simple, and on the same level as the people."
Prayers for Papa Francis and for Cardinal Mueller and for all suffering from natural disasters the world over.
Mexican family mourns 11 dead after church falls at baptism
https://cruxnow.com/ap/2017/09/21/mexican-family-mourns-11-dead-church-falls-baptism/
So sad about the events in Mexico and Puerto Rico.
DeleteWe will pray together for all.
At least the princess and I share the same first name. Now, if I had a bit of her dinero ... ;)
DeleteAnd it also shows in the way he introduces himself: "I am Francis" or "My name is Francis". And he signs his letter to everpne as simply "Francis". As a deacon, that makes me pause and think as well. I have always found it strange that in the United States, with a history of the rejection of monarchy, we American Catholics for so long have still continued to use the royal titles associated with European clergy such as "Your Excellency" or " Chamberlain to His Holiness", etc. I agree with you, Terry, if I understand you correctly, that much of the antagonism or even rejection of Francis is more to preserve a comfortable status quo than concerni over actual orthodoxy or sacredness of Liturgy.
ReplyDeleteYep - that's exactly what I meant. Thanks!
DeleteAnd yet American diplomats will still use honorifics when addressing foreign royalty, and the Pope is still a royalty of sorts--as much as QEII, et.al. He's certainly head of a city/state. It's a sign of courtesy, not necessarily debasement; although I do think that American Roman Catholics also have a darned difficult time with the concept of hierarchy in the Church itself--and it speaks to a different concept of obedience and rule. In short: Pope Francis may simply be "Francis" in his own hand, but it would show a shocking lack of respect for anyone else to ditch the title.
DeletePope Francis may have every good and humble intention-- such overtures certainly look good in the press and to non-Catholics, who thrill to the idea of a completely egalitarian Church-- but I doubt he's surrendering all authority in the spirit of good will. I think he's still very much the Pope. And I also doubt he's forgotten that the Church needs shepherds that not only smell like the sheep, but are there to lead them when they need help.
Some of the antagonism and/or rejection comes from a very clearly perceived notion that the shepherds have lost all sense of direction--or that the shepherds are off concerning themselves about the state of the pasture (or the neighbor's pasture), or exulting in what it means to be a shepherd, or how shepherds should dress, rather than actually shepherding the sheep.
Thank you. I wondered what princesses did with their time. I bet they all pose for a lot of photos.
ReplyDeleteWe Americans are very unaware of the monarchical trappings of the Papcy and the Vatican. I think this was the prime reason our Founding Fathers distrusted the RC Church. So much is a continuation of the Roman Empire and Emperor. All the titles, proclamations, protocols and trappings are based on royal precedent. Francis seems above all that. I am sure it drives the elites nuts.
ReplyDeleteCatholicism was illegal in England when this country was founded.
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DeleteShe looks like a nice lady. Reminds me of an elementary teacher or principal more then a princess though.
ReplyDelete