Archbishop Jan Pawel Lenga On The Current State Of The Church

[Nihil Obstat]

Exclusive English translation of an interview, obtained by Rorate.

 

Unfortunately in our days it is increasingly evident that the Vatican through the Secretariat of State has taken the course of political correctness. Some Nuncios have become propagators of liberalism and modernism. They have acquired expertise in the principle “sub secreto Pontificio”, by which one manipulates and silences the mouths of the bishops. And that what the Nuncio tells them appears as it would be almost certainly the wish of the Pope. With such methods one separates the bishops from one another to the effect that the bishops of a country can no longer speak with one voice in the spirit of Christ and His Church in defending faith and morals. This means that, in order not to fall into disfavour with the Nuncio some bishops accept their recommendations, which are sometimes based on nothing other than on their own words. Instead of zealously spreading the faith, courageously preaching the doctrine of Christ, standing firm in the defense of truth and of morals, the meetings of the Bishops’ Conferences often deal with issues which are foreign to the nature of the duties of the successors of the apostles.
One can observe at all levels of the Church an obvious decrease of the “sacrum”. The “spirit of the world” feeds the shepherds. The sinners give the Church the instructions for how she has to serve them. In their embarrassment the Pastors are silent on the current problems and abandon the sheep while they are feeding themselves. The world is tempted by the devil and opposes the doctrine of Christ. Nevertheless the Pastors are obliged to teach the whole truth about God and men “in season and out”.
However, during the reign of the last holy Popes one could observe in the Church the greatest disorder concerning the purity of the doctrine and the sacredness of the liturgy, in which Jesus Christ is not paid the visible honour which he is due. In not a few Bishop’s Conferences the best bishops are “persona non grata”. Where are apologists of our days, who would announce to men in a clear and comprehensible manner the threat of the risk of loss of faith and salvation?
In our days the voice of the majority of the bishops rather resembles the silence of the lambs in the face of furious wolves, the faithful are left like defenseless sheep. Christ was recognized by men as one who spoke and worked, as one, who had power and this power He bestowed upon His apostles. In today’s world the bishops must liberate themselves from all worldly bonds and – after they have done penance – convert to Christ so that strengthened by the Holy Spirit they may announce Christ as the one and only Saviour. Ultimately one must give account to God for all that was done and for all what wasn't done.
In my opinion the weak voice of many bishops is a consequence of the fact, that in the process of the appointment of new bishops the candidates are insufficiently examined with regard to their doubtless steadfastness and fearlessness in the defense of the faith, with regard to their fidelity to the centuries-old traditions of the Church and their personal piety. In the issue of the appointment of new bishops and even cardinals it is becoming increasingly apparent that sometimes preference is given to those who share a particular ideology or to some groupings which are alien to the Church and which have commissioned the appointment of a particular candidate. Furthermore it appears that sometimes consideration is given also to the favour of the mass media which usually makes a mockery of holy candidates painting a negative picture of them, whereas the candidates who in a lesser degree own the spirit of Christ are praised as open and modern. On the other side the candidates who excel in apostolic zeal, have courage in proclaiming the doctrine of Christ and show love for all that is holy and sacred, are deliberately eliminated.

 

Read the whole thing there if you like. I found it fascinating.

[KnightofChrist]

He'll be ignored or have his character assassinated.  

[CrossCuT]

Heh. The cynical side of me giggles at the idea of the "weak voice" of the male leaders.

[Nihil Obstat]

He'll be ignored or have his character assassinated.  

Proving him right, I guess. :P

[An Historian]

I feel it was a fantastic letter, but I don't like his comments on Pope Benedict's resignation. I think they're counterproductive to what he's trying to achieve.

[Nihil Obstat]

I feel it was a fantastic letter, but I don't like his comments on Pope Benedict's resignation. I think they're counterproductive to what he's trying to achieve.

Such comments do worry me. But like he said, he feels compelled by his conscience to speak his mind in this matter. I can respect that. The Church has gone through many troubling times, and there are many more to come. I do think we live in one of those times of crisis, so I am open to the idea that we may not even know the full extent of the current threats against the Church.

[CatherineM]

Have you ever thought about actively searching for articles where the author has nice things to say about the Church?  Your research skills are obviously magnificent, but surely there is just one obscure bishop somewhere who thinks Francis is doing a good job. 

[Nihil Obstat]

Have you ever thought about actively searching for articles where the author has nice things to say about the Church?  Your research skills are obviously magnificent, but surely there is just one obscure bishop somewhere who thinks Francis is doing a good job. 

Are you saying that I do not read such articles? Because it is funny, I do not remember sending you my internet history or my current reading material.

What I post on Phatmass, and what I read on my own time, are not identical. Nor do I want them to be.

[truthfinder]

I sometimes wonder if Benedict knew the possibilities of who would succeed him as Pope (not Francis personally, but as a 'type') and by living through this reign we are undoubtedly affected by the fact that Benedict is still alive.  I think we might have a very different interpretation of the current papacy if Benedict had died instead of resigning.  Maybe he hopes that his presence during this papacy will help a 'better' pope for the next papacy.  And by better, I mean one where we don't have to guess what the pope is actually saying.

[Ark]

The problem is that such Bishops cripple themselves. On one hand they want to address the crisis on the other they want to continue accepting the reforms of Vatican II. Unfortunately you can't have it both ways. 

 

I'm curious to know what the OP's thoughts are on the hypothesis of Pope Benedict being forced to resign. 

[Nihil Obstat]

Ultimately I do believe that Pope Benedict resigned under his own free will. That being said, I do feel like something strange happened, and I think there was pressure applied to him. Whatever it was, I do not think it has been solved.

[Ark]

Ultimately I do believe that Pope Benedict resigned under his own free will. That being said, I do feel like something strange happened, and I think there was pressure applied to him. Whatever it was, I do not think it has been solved.

 

Sounds like a possible conspiracy, and if we true we may have an Antipope reigning right now. 

[Nihil Obstat]

Sounds like a possible conspiracy, and if we true we may have an Antipope reigning right now.

I believe Pope Benedict's resignation and Pope Francis' election were both valid. I will reevaluate that position if and only if I see reasonably compelling evidence that it is necessary to do so.

[Ark]

I generally believe the same, either-way the sent of Vatican III is in the air. 

[Ash Wednesday]

His background as a Catholic priest in Kazakhstan sounds quite compelling. I'd like to find out more about him. 

 

I sometimes wonder if Benedict knew the possibilities of who would succeed him as Pope 

 

I have often wondered the same. Pope Francis was the runner up when Benedict was elected.

 

 

Strange things are afoot at the Circle K.