"If someone dares to opine that Ratzinger may still be reigning, he or she immediately runs afoul of the “Karens of Bergoglianism,” ever ready to issue the scolding reminder that “Francis” is “the Pope” whether we like it or not"

Either Bergoglio is the pope, or he isn’t. The concept of objective reality, to which our minds must …

Monday, May 25, 2020 OPEN LETTER TO TAYLOR MARSHALL Dr. Marshall, for many of us (myself included), …
johnmoore444
Ratzinger is an “Antipope Emeritus.” Much worse than the brazen Bergoglio.
CatMuse
The Vicar of Christ calls himself Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, while the Bishop of Rome, Pope Francis, denies he (Pope Francis) is the Vicar of Christ. Work that one out!
salliperson
This post is extremely important for our day. Every Catholic needs to read this. Ty OLOS. God bless Pope Benedict, his bishops and his priests. God bless Francis, his bishops and priests and pray for their conversion.
Ultraviolet
They also run afoul of Benedict himself who has repeatedly acknowledged Francis is Pope and he, himself, has resigned. Then there's the small section of the laity who've 1.) studied Canon Law 2.) done so adequately enough they've beaten everyone who tries arguing against Benedict's resignation and (most importantly)... 3.) refuse to play "Let's Make Pretend" simply because they dislike Pope Francis …More
They also run afoul of Benedict himself who has repeatedly acknowledged Francis is Pope and he, himself, has resigned. Then there's the small section of the laity who've 1.) studied Canon Law 2.) done so adequately enough they've beaten everyone who tries arguing against Benedict's resignation and (most importantly)... 3.) refuse to play "Let's Make Pretend" simply because they dislike Pope Francis. LULZ-Track, follows.

"While the final determination may be up to the Church, no one is excused from the requirement of using his or her own rational faculties in reaching a determination on a matter so weighty."

That isn't how The Church works. A determination contrary to what the Church teaches on Papal authority is schism. Go hang out with the Greek Orthodox. They cross themselves backwards, too.

"If we all did so, and began to act legitimately on our determinations, what would keep things from changing for the better?"

Generalities about "act(ing) legitimately on our determinations." are hot air. Zero specifics on actual practice. Typical blogger BS.

"As a thought experiment, why don’t we apply this attitude to another issue..."

Let's finish this "thought experiment" before muddying things with an artificial comparison to another one.

"But it is not Nazi Germany, either. "

Godwin's Law, much? :D

"since only the former archbishop of Buenos Aires has ever dared to insert situation ethics into the AAS, or change the Catechism of the Catholic Churchto suit his own revolting, long-discredited ideological biases."

Selectively narrow focus, one made in obvious in bad faith. Critics have been taking issue with literally dozens of doctrinal errors advanced under the last four popes at least. If Francis isn't Pope for his contradictions to Catholic doctrine, that standard should be applied to equally to the last four Popes as well.

"I for one do not attempt to justify the bad example of John Paul II at Assisi and elsewhere, but... (big hyperbole that means, Francis is different")

The enormity of an error does not change its existence. If John Paul II erred and remained Pope, then so does Francis. If Francis isn't Pope for his "bad example", then neither was John Paul II -or- Benedict.

" in your treatment of the Bipapal Arrangement."

No such thing exists. Benedict resigned.

"But the Cardinals elected him!' That’s the whole problem about antipopes, isn’t it?"

No, the problem with anti-popes is two men both claiming to be Pope. Benedict isn't claiing he's Pope anymore. His fanboys are doing so instead.. Benedict acknowledges Francis is Pope.

"The private judgment of a Cardinal, or even a majority thereof, has no more bearing on the issue than yours or mine."

Lol-wut? They have voting rights. We don't. Durr...

"the thought that Benedict might have resigned under duress by piously repeating his attestations to the contrary."

So are you implying Benedict is a liar? That's a yes or no question. If the answer is yes, prove it. If the answer is no then you have no business raising it.

" perhaps through fear inflicted by threats so horrific that you and I cannot make any informed conjecture about their magnitude,"

Fantasy Island meets Tales from The Darkside. See my last point. Did Benedict XVI lie about his resignation being made of his own free will? YES OR NO???

"Or are we just going to continue moving the doctrinal and pastoral goal posts until all that was previously identifiable as -Catholicism- simply disappears?"

That isn't an issue for those of us who identify as traditionalists and follow the traditional Latin Mass. Catholicism will never disappear so long as one trad bishop can, even in secret, ordain a trad priest.

But where was your voice when those goal posts were getting moved for the last fifty years, papacy after papacy? You weren't bawwing about ittwhen Benedict was moving those goalposts. Even Benedict's biographer was in awe at the extent of the man's involvement in orchestrating Vatican Council II.

Apply your outrage evenly or not at all. Pope Francis isn't doing anything new. He's just more blatant about it.

Even the comments are lulzy...

Fra Bugnolo thumping his chest over his Latin fluency and supposed studies of Canon Law.

Just one problem. I've beaten Bugnolo on Canon Law every time he's been dumb enough to advance his theories on an open post here on GTV.

"He don't come 'round here all that much no more... nossuh." :D