OPINION:
While it is appropriate to use the Latin “De mortuiis nihil nisi bonam” (“Of the dead say nothing but good”) in speaking of the passing of Pope Francis, one may recall that prior to his death, the pope was subject to severe criticism by conservative and traditional Catholics for what they viewed as his intent to remove any trace of tradition from the church of Rome.
This is significant, for along with Scripture and the teachings of the “doctors of the church,” tradition formed a part of the three-legged stool upon which Catholicism rests. Further to that end was this move to forbid priests from saying the Latin Mass, even in private. The late pope — the first Jesuit to attain the title — sought to continue the path of the Second Vatican Council, which over time has led the church further down the path of “modernism.” This was described by an earlier pope as “the synthesis of all heresies.”
It is doubtful that this development will end with the death of Pope Francis, as there are sufficient numbers of voting cardinals to elect a successor who will continue his policies. Yet hope springs eternal and God does work in wondrous ways.
VINCENT CHIARELLO
Reston, Virginia
Please read our comment policy before commenting.