Bishop Fernandez, however, refused to resign, explaining that he did not want to become a party to what he sees as an injustice. So in effect he was fired.
What was his offense? The Vatican, as usual, offered no explanation. The dismissed bishop reports that he was charged on two counts: a lack of “communion” with his brother bishops in Puerto Rico; and disobedience to the Pope, because he did not travel to Rome to explain himself.
Bishop Fernandez replies that he could not travel to Rome last year, because of Covid-era restrictions. If he did not have a vaccine passport—which seems likely, since he defended Catholics who resisted vaccination—then that explanation rings true, and the charge of “disobedience” is unsustainable.
As for the alleged lack of “communion,” it is true that Bishop Fernandez had disagreements on policy with his brother bishops. He refused to sign a statement describing Covid vaccination as a duty; he resisted sending his seminarians to an interdiocesan institution; he strongly objected to legislation banning “conversion therapy” for homosexuals. But none of these disagreements involved breaking communion with other bishops. In no case did he even suggest a break from the universal Church; in no case did he teach something contrary to Catholic doctrine.
Quite the contrary, in fact. In his vigorous defense of the family, Bishop Fernandez seemed much more anxious to defend traditional Catholic teaching than his brother bishops in Puerto Rico. If that is the reason for his removal, then the Pope’s expressed desire to “hagan lio [make a mess]” has entered a frightening new phase.
In Germany, Bishop Georg Bätzing of Limburg, the president of the episcopal conference, is urging Pope Francis to act quickly on the resignation of Cardinal Rainier Woelki of Cologne. Although Bishop Bätzing does not say what action he wants the Pontiff to take, he seems clearly to be hinting at a quick acceptance of the resignation of Cardinal Woelki—who just happens to be one of the minority of German prelates objecting to the “Synodal Path” and its call for radical changes in Church doctrine and discipline. Meanwhile in Munich, Cardinal Reinhard Marx, who has also offered to resign, remains in office at the Pope’s behest, with the full support of the episcopal conference he once led.
Run down the list of bishops who have been accused of misconduct and forced to resign, and you may notice that a disproportionate number could be classified as “conservative” or traditionalist in their sympathies. Or take the opposite perspective, and look at the list of prelates who have been retained in office or even promoted during the current pontificate, despite evidence of misconduct, and notice the preponderance of progressives. The Pope’s campaign for reform in the Church is strongly conditioned by his desire for his type of reform.
Go here to read the rest. As far as the Pope is concerned, the only heresy that exists is dissent from his Leftist secular agenda. The response of almost all bishops to this state of affairs:
“Your Excellency, Rome is calling….” “Tell them I’m in the shower trying to get the grime off from my last visit for that Synod”.
Become a heretic or get out. You won’t be able to keep your head down for much longer. I guess it’s possible you could do something “progressive” every now and then just to keep the wolves at bay, which does seem to work for awhile. But, deals with the devil rarely turn out well. My bishop has done some really good things with the seminary and the new priests are orthodox. But he voluntarily shut down Mass attendance during COVID without considering an outdoor option. Recently, he withdrew the approval for the Cincinnati Catholic Men’s Conference (it’s now the Cincinnati Men’s Conference) because the named speakers, Jim Claviezel and Raymond Arroyo, allegedly have “too much baggage”. Just a disgusting display of cowardice from a man who, I believe, still believes. So sad.
Firing reason is simple: He was a Catholic.