Cardinal Pell reassures traditionalists, urges support for Pope
October 27, 2014
Cardinal George Pell urged traditionalist Catholics to remain loyal to the Pope and to eschew “sterile polemics against a surprisingly small number of Catholic opponents,” in a homily delivered to participants in the 3rd annual Summorum Pontificum pilgrimage in Rome.
Cardinal Pell was scheduled to celebrate a Mass in the extraordinary form for the pilgrims. But because the cardinal was stricken with a bout of bronchitis, his secretary, Father Mark Withoos, celebrated the Mass and delivered the homily that Cardinal Pell had prepared.
The cardinal’s message emphasized the role of the papacy as guarantor of Catholic doctrine. The homily appeared to address the fears that many traditionalists have expressed about the recent Synod meeting and proposals for change in the Church’s teaching and discipline regarding marriage. Cardinal Pell said: “Doctrine does develop—we understand truth more deeply—but there are no doctrinal back-flips in Catholic history.”
Pope Francis sent a message of “cordial welcome” to the pilgrims. And Pope-emeritus Benedict, in his own message, said: “I am very happy the usus antiquior is living today in a fully peaceful way within the Church, including with the youth, and that is supported and celebrated by great cardinals.”
The Summorum Pontificum pilgrimage concluded at the Benedictine abbey in Norcia, the birthplace of St. Benedict, on October 26: the 50th anniversary of the formal proclamation of St. Benedict as patron of Europe.
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Posted by: skall391825 -
Oct. 29, 2014 2:19 AM ET USA
The Conservative Cardinal Pell correctly uses the small t word "traditionalist" when referring to orthodox Catholics. Some writers who know better try to smear Conservative (i.e., orthodox) Catholics by calling us traditionalists. They do so to dishonestly confuse us with the heretical SSPX crowd known as the capital T "Traditionalists" or "Trads" , who never were loyal to the Pope.
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Posted by: -
Oct. 28, 2014 9:36 AM ET USA
No sauce for the goose? Catholic radio is campaigning for Catholics to email/write to the Pope, urging him to declare as doctrine the dogma of Mary as co-redemptrix. We're told that's a good thing. But to email/write the Pope, urging hhim to get tough with bishops advocating acceptance of currently non-doctrinal behavior? That's a bad thing? I'm confused. If only we had an orthodox authority to clear up this mess.
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Posted by: Ken -
Oct. 27, 2014 6:13 PM ET USA
It says something that Cardinal spell would feel the need to even say this.
