Writer calls for Pope's impeachment: a punishable canonical offense?
March 19, 2009
A Washington Post essayist who identifies himself as a Catholic has suggested that the Church should "impeach" Poep Benedict XVI. Robert McElvaine lashes out at the Holy Father and says "the idea that such a man is God's spokesperson on earth is absurd to me." He concludes his essay: "If this be heresy, make the most of it."
Canon lawyer Edward Peters suggests that Church leaders should accept the challenge, and take disciplinary action against McElvaine for violating Canon 1369, which prescribes a "just penalty" for anyone who " expresses insults, or excites hatred or contempt against religion or the Church."
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Further information:
- Impeach the Pope (Robert McElvaine/Washington Post)
- If Robert McElvaine hasn't violated Canon 1369, who has? (Edward Peters/In the Light of the Law)
- Canon 1369 (Code of Canon Law)
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