May I recommend reading this from Andrea Gagliarducci, puts out am internet column every Monday on things “Vatican”?
This week he covers the removal of Archbp. Georg Gaenswein from the Vatican.
Pope Francis, a break with the past
Sample…
Pope Francis’ decision to ask Archbishop Georg Gaenswein, now prefect emeritus of the Papal Household, to return to his native diocese testifies not only to the fact that the Pope wants to cut ties with the previous pontificate completely. The decision regarding Archbishop Gaenswein is further proof of the modus operandi of Pope Francis and a signal that the last period of his government will not be easy for anyone.
The communication of the decision on Gaenswein arrived in a few lines of the bulletin of the Press Office of the Holy See of June 15, where what was not said was heavier than what was written.
Writing that Archbishop Gaenswein had finished his mandate on February 28, 2023, Pope Francis, in fact, not only suspended his salary but also required Gaenswein to return the salary he has received from February 28 to today. When there is no communication to the contrary, the institution considers the person confirmed in the position and continues to pay the monthly salary. However, if the time of expiry is determined, the salary can also be reclaimed.
It is not the first time that Pope Francis has used this formula.
[…]
Beyond the superficial courtesy, in the end, it becomes clear that Pope Francis has not tolerated well, not so much the presence of a Pope Emeritus in the Vatican, but the fact that some still saw Benedict XVI as a point of reference, even though he was no longer pope. It was as if the Pope saw in the love for Benedict XVI a contrast to his pontificate. And probably from there comes the Pope’s bitterness towards those he called “backwardnessed people,” and the increasingly harsh restrictions on the traditional Mass, reversing an opening made by Benedict XVI himself, and the decision to practically kick Gaenswein out without ever making this decision official.
[…]
Also, among my recent book acquisitions, I will remind you about this terrific find which is turning out to be rewarding. From Fr. James Mawdsley, fellow cancelled priest,
Crucifixion to Creation: Roots of the Traditional Mass Traced back to Paradise
Also, this book pertains to the attempt by some to build up the Council by bashing tradition.
Raymond Leo Card. Burke’s book from Sophia Press about worthy reception of Communion.
Respecting the Body and Blood of the Lord: When Holy Communion Should Be Denied
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Perhaps the title should be
Pope Francis, A Return to 1975
MondayVatican has been a must read for me for many years. Week after week, Andrea Gagliarducci writes consistently informative and interesting posts. His posts answer a lot of questions but also leave the reader to make their own conclusions about the ramifications of many papal decisions.
Thank you for the recommendations Father Z. Are you able to go to the Coalition for Canceled Priest conference this weekend? Do you need a donation to cover your costs?
Writing that Archbishop Gaenswein had finished his mandate on February 28, 2023,
This seems to imply some kind of official “mandate” to Gaenswein, which mandate was specifically prescribed to end on Feb. 28. However, I strongly suspect that no such specific end-date was explicit in the mandate. You notice that the official notification given
However, if the time of expiry is determined, the salary can also be reclaimed.
is nicely ambiguous about WHEN the time of expiry was determined – before the fact, or after? The ambiguity is probably intentional. (By the way: was the “mandate” the appointment of Archbishop Gaenswein to the Papal Household? That was surely not given an end date from the beginning of the appointment.)
In addition, unless there was some additional specification (either in the mandate itself, or some separate document) that following his mandated duty, Archbishop Gaenswein was automatically severed from the Papal Household and directed him to report to his former diocese, it would seem like he legitimately assumed he should remain in place. Indeed, without such prior explicit directive, an action by him to depart from the Household permanently as if he had been released from it, would have been presumptuous.
It is clear that Francis is being vindictive.
Question: when a bishop or archbishop is taken from a diocese to fill a post at the Vatican, and then ceases to have any specific post at the Vatican, does he automatically revert to being “incardinated” to his old diocese, now subordinate to the now-current bishop of it? (Was he still incardinated to the old diocese, but with extended duties placing him elsewhere?) If he had been the bishop of more than one diocese, wouldn’t it be pretty much standard fare that he could CHOOSE which former diocese he would return to, and if so, then it wouldn’t be automatic that he would have to return to the last diocese? I suppose the pope can do with him anything he darn well pleases, but surely there are standards of decency that ordinarily (by default) give the guy some choice in the matter, aren’t there?
I seem to be misunderstanding something in the story.
Gagliarducci’s article says that Archbishop Gänswein complained in a book published in January 2023, that his appointment was not being renewed and that the Pope had told him so. How then can it be a surprise to anyone when this is stated in an official announcement on June 15th?
Reading Gagliarducci’s column earlier today was heartbreaking. Normally, like most, I am affirmed when I see my estimation of a situation or a man to be accurate. Today, not so much. The circumstances surrounding the dismissal of Archbishop Gaenswein, not merely from the Vatican, but from Rome…to return his salary since February… with no position to return to in Germany…
What pettiness, how vindictive, to treat a man in such a manner.
It supports my perspective on the climate which we presently inhabit as Roman Catholics and, to some extent, allows me to weather the scandalous reports all over the media today regarding the agenda of the upcoming synod. Hearing good Baptists calling us to order is humbling.
Where all credence has been abandoned, can one really get too disconcerted by the madness? Lunacy has a relatively short shelf life, though for the while it holds pride of place the aggravation is experienced as unbearable.
How long, O Lord?
Truth Himself will have the victory. May His day come swiftly.
RosaryRose: Coalition for Canceled Priest conference
Thanks for asking. I looked at the tickets to go after your comment, but I’m afraid that it would be too expensive at this late hour. Too bad, too. I have close friends who live less than 10 minutes from that venue in Rosemount. I wouldn’t have to have a hotel.
Perhaps it’s best that I not just show up and take attention away from anybody.